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Boldo Leaf
Peumus boldus
Liver and gallbladder disorders across South American medicine
How does boldo leaf work to support liver and gallbladder function?
Boldo leaf contains boldine, a unique natural alkaloid with demonstrated choleretic activity, meaning it stimulates bile production and flow from the liver. This mechanism helps improve fat digestion and supports gallbladder function. Boldine also exhibits hepatoprotective antioxidant properties, protecting liver cells from oxidative damage. The volatile oils and flavonoids contribute additional digestive benefits. Evidence level: C (preclinical studies support these mechanisms, though human trials are limited).
Can I take boldo leaf with blood thinners or anticoagulant medications?
No, boldo leaf should be avoided when taking anticoagulant medications such as warfarin, heparin, or antiplatelet drugs. Boldo contains coumarin compounds that possess anticoagulant properties, which can increase bleeding risk when combined with blood-thinning medications. This interaction is clinically significant. Patients on anticoagulant therapy should consult their healthcare provider before using boldo supplements. Evidence level: C (based on constituent pharmacology and theoretical interactions).
What is the recommended dosage for boldo leaf tea or tincture?
The standard adult dosage for boldo leaf is 1-2 grams of dried leaf prepared as a tea, or 2ml of tincture taken three times daily. These doses are based on traditional South American use and pharmacopoeial standards. Boldo should be taken with meals to support digestion. Long-term use beyond 2-4 weeks is not recommended without professional guidance. Always follow product-specific instructions or consult a qualified herbalist. Evidence level: Traditional/C.
Is boldo leaf safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
No, boldo leaf is unsafe during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. The herb contains coumarin compounds that may cause uterine stimulation and pose risks to fetal development. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding, so use should also be avoided during lactation. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing should not use boldo leaf preparations. Evidence level: C (contraindicated based on constituent safety profile).
What conditions is boldo leaf traditionally used to treat?
Boldo leaf is traditionally used across South American medicine for liver and gallbladder disorders, including sluggish bile flow and mild dyspepsia. It's also employed for digestive complaints, headaches, and rheumatism. The herb acts as a liver tonic and hepatoprotective agent. Modern herbal practice primarily focuses on its choleretic and digestive benefits. Evidence level: C (traditional use supported by limited clinical research).
Who should not take boldo leaf supplements?
Boldo leaf is contraindicated in patients with biliary obstruction or gallstones blocking bile ducts, as stimulating bile flow could worsen the condition. It should be avoided during pregnancy due to coumarin content and by those taking anticoagulant medications. People with severe liver disease should consult a healthcare provider before use. High doses may cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal cramping. Evidence level: C/D (based on pharmacology and traditional contraindications).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Boldo (Peumus boldus M.) is a medicinal plant endemic to Chile, primarily recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties [PMID:39765896, PMID:38234264].
Background
Peumus boldus is an endemic Chilean tree whose leaves are rich in bioactive compounds and are used as a herbal remedy in various pharmacopoeias [PMID:39765896, PMID:8202440].
Traditional uses
Traditionally employed in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders, liver ailments, rheumatic symptoms, headache, and urinary tract inflammation [PMID:29080449, PMID:8202440, PMID:34500293].
Active compounds
The leaves contain aporphine alkaloids (most notably boldine, though composition varies by tree) [PMID:16221469, PMID:29454020], phenolic compounds including catechin, proanthocyanidins, and flavonol glycosides (such as quercetin and kaempferol derivatives) [PMID:12747739, PMID:20022332, PMID:24853276]. Essential oils contain 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, limonene, and ascaridole [PMID:30832296].
Mechanism of action
Boldine acts as a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant [PMID:16221469, PMID:37462836]. It may induce endothelium-dependent vasodilation via nitric oxide and small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels [PMID:35222671]. In neurological contexts, it may block connexin-43 hemichannels and pannexin 1 channels, and suppress AChE and BuChE activity [PMID:37462836, PMID:41353162].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DHepatotoxicity
A case of probable boldo-induced hepatotoxicity resulting in unexplained jaundice and increased liver enzymes in an 87-year-old man, which resolved upon cessation of use [PMID:33457373]
Evidence DRenal Transplant (Drug Interaction)
A case report of subtherapeutic tacrolimus levels in a renal transplant patient while taking boldo [PMID:24981811]
Evidence DChronic Epilepsy (Murine Model)
Pulverized Boldo leaves reduced seizures, neuroinflammation, and hemichannel activity [PMID:41353162]
Evidence DDysferlinopathy (Murine Model)
Daily oral administration of pulverized leaves improved grip strength, restored endothelial-dependent vasodilation, and reduced skeletal muscle inflammation and lipid accumulation [PMID:41155239]
Evidence DH. pylori (In vitro)
Aqueous extract and catechin-derived proanthocyanidins inhibited H. pylori urease and adherence to gastric cells [PMID:24853276]
Evidence D
Safety & adverse effects
Boldo leaf infusions may be hepatotoxic and cause unexplained jaundice or abnormal liver enzyme values, particularly in elderly patients [PMID:33457373].
Drug interactions
A case report indicates a potential interaction with tacrolimus, leading to subtherapeutic drug levels in a renal transplant patient [PMID:24981811].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (mice, Drosophila), and isolated case reports. There are no RCTs or systematic reviews provided; therefore, the overall strength of clinical evidence is low.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 39765896 (2024) — Bioactive Content and Antioxidant Properties of Spray-Dried Microencapsulates of Peumus boldus M. Leaf Extracts. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 41353162 (2025) — Boldo leaves reduce seizures, neuroinflammation, and hemichannel activity in a murine model of chronic epilepsy. · Biological research
3.PMID: 33457373 (2020) — Boldo-Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Case of Unexplained Jaundice. · European journal of case reports in internal medicine
5.PMID: 19145575 (2009) — Effect of boldo (Peumus boldus Molina) infusion on lipoperoxidation induced by cisplatin in mice liver.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
Boldo leaf infusion and ethanolic extract reduced lipoperoxidation and cytotoxicity in normal liver cells without affecting anticancer potential in cancer cells [PMID:19145575, PMID:25292342]
Evidence DObesity/Adipocytes (In vitro)
Aqueous extract inhibited lipid accumulation (triglycerides and cholesterol) and decreased ROS production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes [PMID:40362563]
· Phytotherapy research : PTR
6.PMID: 40362563 (2025) — Peumus boldus Extract Inhibits Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. · International journal of molecular sciences
7.PMID: 24981811 (2014) — Case report: boldo (Peumus boldus) and tacrolimus interaction in a renal transplant patient. · Transplantation proceedings
8.PMID: 12747739 (2003) — Free-radical scavengers and antioxidants from Peumus boldus Mol. ("Boldo"). · Free radical research
9.PMID: 29454020 (2018) — Variation of the alkaloid content of Peumus boldus (boldo). · Fitoterapia
10.PMID: 27350578 (2016) — Peumus boldus (Boldo) Aqueous Extract Present Better Protective Effect than Boldine Against Manganese-Induced Toxicity in D. melanogaster. · Neurochemical research
11.PMID: 38234264 (2024) — Boldine: a narrative review of the bioactive compound with versatile biological and pharmacological potential. · Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
12.PMID: 24853276 (2014) — Catechin-based procyanidins from Peumus boldus Mol. aqueous extract inhibit Helicobacter pylori urease and adherence to adenocarcinoma gastric cells. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
13.PMID: 8202440 (1994) — Boldo and boldine: an emerging case of natural drug development. · Pharmacological research
14.PMID: 41155239 (2025) — Boldo Restores Vascularization and Reduces Skeletal Muscle Inflammation in Symptomatic Mice with Dysferlinopathy. · International journal of molecular sciences
15.PMID: 20022332 (2010) — Direct identification of phenolic constituents in Boldo Folium (Peumus boldus Mol.) infusions by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. · Journal of chromatography. A
16.PMID: 25292342 (2014) — Low doses of ethanolic extract of Boldo (Peumus boldus) can ameliorate toxicity generated by cisplatin in normal liver cells of mice in vivo and in WRL-68 cells in vitro, but not in cancer cells in vivo or in vitro. · Journal of integrative medicine
17.PMID: 34500293 (2022) — Biochemical characterization of Peumus boldus fruits: Insights of its antioxidant properties through a theoretical approach. · Food chemistry
18.PMID: 16221469 (2006) — Boldine and its antioxidant or health-promoting properties. · Chemico-biological interactions
19.PMID: 33234091 (2021) — Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Native Chilean Plants. · Current pharmaceutical design
20.PMID: 32069868 (2020) — Green Extraction of Alkaloids and Polyphenols from Peumus boldus Leaves with Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents and Profiling by HPLC-PDA-IT-MS/MS and HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
21.PMID: 30963968 (2019) — Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Peumus boldus, Psidium guajava, Vernonia polysphaera, Persea Americana, Eucalyptus citriodora Leaf Extracts and Jatropha multifida Raw Sap. · Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
22.PMID: 37462836 (2023) — An Overview of Chemistry, Kinetics, Toxicity and Therapeutic Potential of Boldine in Neurological Disorders. · Neurochemical research
23.PMID: 30832296 (2019) — Exploring the Insecticidal Potential of Boldo (Peumus boldus) Essential Oil: Toxicity to Pests and Vectors and Non-target Impact on the Microcrustacean Daphnia magna. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
24.PMID: 35222671 (2022) — Boldine, an Alkaloid from Peumus boldus Molina, Induces Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in the Perfused Rat Kidney: Involvement of Nitric Oxide and Small-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
25.PMID: 33172081 (2020) — Phenolic Content and Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Solidago virga-aurea, Phyllanthus niruri, Epilobium angustifolium, Peumus boldus, and Ononis spinosa Extracts. · Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)