BOLDO
Peumus Boldus

 

Boldo is rich in phytochemicals, including at least 17 known alkaloids.

Common Names:
Boldo, boldus, boldina

Part used:
Leaves

Description and Habitat:
Boldo is a shrubby evergreen growing seven to eight meters in height and producing small, yellowish-green berry-like fruit. Boldo is not limited to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest but is also indigenous to parts of Morocco and North Africa. It has a long history of use in Europe and has been cultivated for a long time in parts of Europe such as Italy and Greece. In Chile and parts of the Andes, its bark is used for tanning hides, and its wood is utilized to make charcoal.

Indigenous Traditional Use:
Although such claims cannot be investigated and ascertained, the legend says that the medicinal uses of Boldo were discovered somewhat by chance by a shepherd who noticed that his sheep were healthier and seemed to have much better digestion when they grazed on one of his fields that contained native Boldo plants. Whether or not this is the true beginning of the medicinal use of Boldo, this plant is widely known throughout South America, Europe and North Africa for its beneficial effects on liver, gallbladder and bowels.

In Chile, records report the use of Boldo as an anthelmintic (eliminates intestinal parasites). In Peru, the leaves are mainly used by Indigenous tribes to maintain liver health, to eliminate stones, and to support good digestion. In Europe, especially in Greece and Italy, Boldo is used as a digestive aid to stimulate liver and digestive functions. It is also used to stimulate a sluggish liver and eliminate gall bladder stones.

In various parts of the world Boldo has traditionally been used for head colds, earaches, hepatitis, liver congestion, constipation, dizziness, stomach and intestinal cramps and a lack of appetite.

Scientific Studies - Mechanism of Action
Boldo preparations have been used extensively in popular herbal medicine. In support of its accepted use, a description of the medicinal benefits of Boldo are found in the official pharmacopoeia of France, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland. Boldo is mostly recognized for its choleretic and cholagogue action (stimulation of liver functions). The active component is believed to be boldine, an alkaloid unique to Boldo. Boldine stimulates gastric secretion, bile release and overall liver functions. The liver is responsible for a multitude of very important functions in the body. To name a few, the liver filters the blood coming from the gut and eliminates any chemicals or compounds susceptible to intoxicate the body. As it filters the blood, it regulates the levels of compounds like cholesterol and triglycerides. It also removes from the blood the residues of normal cellular metabolism. It stores and releases glycogen to provide the body with energy when needed; and it synthesizes a wide variety of compounds essential for proper body metabolism. So good liver function is essential for good health, and Boldo is unique in its ability to stimulate the liver.

Recently, boldine was also shown to be an exceptional antioxidant, adding to the health-promoting properties of Boldo. Boldine was shown to protect red blood cells and mitochondria against oxidation. It was also shown to stimulate the activity of glutathione S-transferase, an antioxidant enzyme involved in the neutralization of drugs and potential toxins in the body. The scientific literature suggests that Boldo could decrease the metabolic activation of xenobiotics (potential toxins), including chemical carcinogens.

In a study that investigated the effect of Boldo on the oro-cecal intestinal transit time in healthy volunteers, Boldo prolonged the oro-cela transit time, providing a possible explanation for its reported beneficial effect on digestion.

Another possible mechanism of action behind the beneficial effect of Boldo on overall digestion is its antimicrobial properties. A healthy intestinal flora is essential for optimal health and digestion. In brief, friendly bacteria help maintain a pH in the gut that is adequate for optimal digestive physiology. They contribute to the maintenance of a healthy intestinal lining. They prevent the growth of unfriendly bacteria by maintaining a low pH, competing for nutrients, and producing natural antibiotic substances. They digest food particles, aiding our own digestive process; and they produce vitamins and other compounds that stimulate immunity. Boldo was shown to help maintain good intestinal flora by inhibiting the growth of a series of unfriendly microorganisms, including Streptococcus pyogenes, Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sonneiandSalmonella SP. These are bad guys!

BENEFITS AND USE OF BOLDO Liver functions Daily intake of Boldo is a wonderful way of stimulating the liver everyday to reap the numerous benefits of good liver function. You can get that by taking Envirozon™, and Fiberzon™, or Fiberzon Plus™, in the morning and evening as well as taking Digestazon™, or Digestazon Plus™, with meals. Good intestinal flora Consuming Boldo everyday will contribute to maintaining a good intestinal flora which is paramount to overall health. Boldine was also shown to help eliminate intestinal parasites. Antioxidant nutrition Boldo contains boldine which is a strong antioxidant in the blood. To contribute to good cardiovascular health, consume Boldo daily.

The information contained in this article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you have any health concern, it is recommended that you seek the advise of a certified health practitioner.

Christian Drapeau, BSc., MSc., is a neurophysiologist with over 13 years research experience in the fields of natural foods and nutrition. He is the former Chief Scientist at Cell Tech where he directed research on Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and is currently Chief Scientist for Desert Lake Technologies, Oregon. Mr. Drapeau received a BSc. in Neurophysiology from McGill University, Montreal, and a MSc. from the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal.

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