Boldo folium

Boldo folium, also called boldo leaves, the leaves of the boldo shrub, is a drug used as an herbal medicine with biliary and digestive effects.

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: dyspeptic complaints, mild gastrointestinal crampsESCOP monograph
: mild hepatobiliary dysfunction, mild digestive complaintsCommission
E monograph: mild, crampy gastrointestinal complaints; dyspeptic complaints.

Boldo leaves contain 0.25 to 0.5 % isoquinoline alkaloids (mainly of the morphinan type), with boldo being the main alkaloid. Further ingredients are flavonoids and 2 to 3 % essential oil.

Besides a spasmolytic and choleretic effect, boldo leaves also have an antiphlogistic and cholecinetic effect. They also increase the secretion of gastric juice.
The spasmolytic effect is achieved by Boldin reducing the responsiveness of the vasodilator and vasoconstrictor nerve endings.

Boldo leaves are used for light, crampy gastrointestinal complaints and dyspeptic complaints with reduced bile production.

The usual average daily dose is 3.0 g of the drug. The drug is administered in crushed form for infusions (e.g. tea infusions, 3 x / day) and other preparations (e.g. dry extracts up to 400mg 3x daily) for ingestion.

Undesirable effects are not known. Hypersensitivity reactions cannot be excluded.

In the presence of severe liver disease, obstruction of the bile ducts or pregnancy, it should not be taken. In the case of gallstones, the intake should only be made after consultation with a doctor.

Do not use on pregnant women or persons under 18 years of age,

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3. Piscaglia F et al. (2005) Caution in the use of boldo in herbal laxatives: a case of hepatotoxicity. Scand J Gastroenterol 40:236-239.
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7. Yu B et al.(2009) The aporphine alkaloid boldine induces adiponectin expression and regulation in 3T3-L1 cells. J Med Food 12:1074-1083.
8. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/boldostrauch.php.
9. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-peumus-boldus-molina-folium_en.pdf