What Is Boldo Tea Good For?

Boldo is an evergreen shrub native to central Chile and Peru that grows in other Central and South American countries, such as Mexico and Argentina.

The boldo plant grows up to six meters in height and belongs to the Monimiaceae family.

Boldo tea is made from the leaves of the boldo plant, which are steeped in water and brewed to make tea for a variety of health-promoting purposes.

Boldo tea is prepared by steeping about a tablespoon (about six grams) of dried boldo leaves in one cup (about 240 mL) of hot water.

Boldo tea is not advised to be consumed daily. However, some people prefer diluting it with yerba mate, a herb that may help lose weight and cancer prevention.

Herbal boldo tea bags and premade blends of boldo and yerba mate are available to be purchased online and in some health food stores.

Although there is insufficient evidence to support the use of boldo tea for the following conditions.

A few of its traditional uses are:

• Often used to prevent stomach, bladder, and liver complaints. 
• Are used for worms, gonorrhea, syphilis, gout, rheumatism, colds, and earaches. 
• Claimed to possess mild sedative, laxative, and choleretic (a stimulant of bile secretion) effects.
• Several in vitro (test tube) and animal studies suggest boldo leaf extract, boldine, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. It may help patients with diabetes.

Though the scientific evidence supporting the use of boldo tea is extremely limited, there are many claimed health benefits, the most common being liver detox, eliminating gallstones, and optimizing gallbladder health.

Boldo extract contains active ingredients and antioxidant compounds, including limonene, coumarin, camphor, and beta-pinene, which help detoxify the liver, aid in digestion, and boost the immune system. It helps reduce free radical-induced damage to the cells.

Boldo tea is promoted as a health tonic for other conditions, including:

• Stomach upset
• Rheumatism or achy joints
• Cystitis
• Liver disease
• Gonorrhea
• Fluid retention
• Sleep problems
• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Leishmaniasis (a parasitic infection)

Boldo tea aids in weight loss by promoting bowel health and reducing toxicity in the body and thus, improving metabolism.

The tea is used to stimulate the appetite, enhance digestion, promote bowel health, and relieve flatulence and constipation.

Because boldo tea is an herbal tea and is not made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant (such as black or green tea), it is completely caffeine-free.

Although it has many proposed health benefits, it is associated with some side effects when taken in excess or used for prolonged periods.

Boldo leaf contains ascaridole, a volatile oil that can be toxic to the liver when consumed orally and may cause rashes when applied directly to the skin.

Consuming boldo may put you at risk of certain side effects, especially if you are on certain medications or have health issues.

• Contraindicated in liver disease and diseases of the bile duct, including gallstones
• Could be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Should not be taken with alcohol
• Avoid its consumption for at least two weeks before surgery
• Could not be safe for people taking lithium and warfarin (an anticoagulant)

When taken in high doses, boldo ingredients could cause paralysis, hallucinations, and other disturbances of the nervous system.

Boldo is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. FDA when consumed in amounts typically found in food. However, it is not recommended to drink it daily because it contains a potentially harmful aromatic compound called ascaridole.

Traditional doses include:

• One to two teaspoons (two to three grams) of dry leaf per cup of water
• 0.1 to 0.3 mL of liquid extract

Limit your intake to a cup (240 mL) of boldo tea occasionally to avoid any potential complications.