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'''''Peumus boldus''''', the only [[species]] in the [[genus]] '''''Peumus''''', is commonly known as '''Boldo''' (from the [[Mapudungun]] name '''''foḻo'''''). This tree of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Monimiaceae]] is natively [[endemism|endemic]]{{Verify source|date=June 2011}} to the central region of [[Chile]], occurring from [[33rd parallel south|33°]] to [[40th parallel south|40° southern latitude]]. Boldo has also been introduced to [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]], though it is not often seen outside [[botanical garden]]s. |
'''''Peumus boldus''''', the only [[species]] in the [[genus]] '''''Peumus''''', is commonly known as '''Boldo''' (from the [[Mapudungun]] name '''''foḻo'''''). This tree of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Monimiaceae]] is natively [[endemism|endemic]]{{Verify source|date=June 2011}} to the central region of [[Chile]], [[South America]] occurring from [[33rd parallel south|33°]] to [[40th parallel south|40° southern latitude]]. Boldo has also been introduced to [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]], though it is not often seen outside [[botanical garden]]s. |
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Together with ''litre'', [[Soap bark tree|''quillay'']], ''peumo'', ''bollén'' and other indigenous plants, it is a characteristic component of the [[sclerophyllous]] forest [[endemism|endemic]] to central Chile. Its leaves, which have a strong, woody and slightly bitter flavor and [[camphor]]-like aroma, are used for culinary purposes, primarily in Latin America. The leaves are used in a similar manner to [[bay leaf|bay leaves]] and also used as an [[herbal tea]], primarily in [[Chile]], [[Bolivia]], [[Argentina]], [[Paraguay]], [[Peru]], [[Uruguay]], [[Brazil]] and bordering countries in [[South America]]. |
Together with ''litre'', [[Soap bark tree|''quillay'']], ''peumo'', ''bollén'' and other indigenous plants, it is a characteristic component of the [[sclerophyllous]] forest [[endemism|endemic]] to central Chile. Its leaves, which have a strong, woody and slightly bitter flavor and [[camphor]]-like aroma, are used for culinary purposes, primarily in Latin America. The leaves are used in a similar manner to [[bay leaf|bay leaves]] and also used as an [[herbal tea]], primarily in [[Chile]], [[Bolivia]], [[Argentina]], [[Paraguay]], [[Peru]], [[Uruguay]], [[Brazil]] and bordering countries in [[South America]]. |
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Revision as of 18:56, 8 January 2016
- "Boldo" is also a settlement in Arauco Province (Chile) named after this tree.
| Boldo | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Peumus |
| Species: | P. boldus
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| Binomial name | |
| Peumus boldus Molina
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Peumus boldus, the only species in the genus Peumus, is commonly known as Boldo (from the Mapudungun name foḻo). This tree of the family Monimiaceae is natively endemic[verification needed] to the central region of Chile, South America occurring from 33° to 40° southern latitude. Boldo has also been introduced to Europe and North Africa, though it is not often seen outside botanical gardens.
Together with litre, quillay, peumo, bollén and other indigenous plants, it is a characteristic component of the sclerophyllous forest endemic to central Chile. Its leaves, which have a strong, woody and slightly bitter flavor and camphor-like aroma, are used for culinary purposes, primarily in Latin America. The leaves are used in a similar manner to bay leaves and also used as an herbal tea, primarily in Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil and bordering countries in South America.
Growth
Although not well known, boldo fruits, which appear between December and February, are very tasty, nutritious, small, green, edible spheres. Boldo's assertive flavor comes primarily from the presence of the chemical ascaridole, which is also present in the epazote plant.
Uses
In Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay boldo is mixed with yerba mate or other teas to moderate its flavor. Some families keep a boldo plant at home for this purpose, although boldo teabags are readily available in nearly all supermarkets.
Boldo and plants with similar properties are widely used as mild folk medicine in various South American countries in both urban and rural areas, even among people who do not usually drink herbal teas other than mate beverage. Boldo is officially listed as phytotherapic plant as cholagogue and choleretic, for treatment of mild dyspepsia in Brazilian pharmacopoeia.[1]
Boldo is in the family Monimiaceae, which is closely related to the family Lauraceae (which includes many other plants used for their aromatic leaves, such as cinnamon, cassia, bay leaf, and camphor laurel.)
Toxicity
In 2009, the European Medicines Agency assessed boldo as follows:
Boldo leaf contains the alkaloid boldine. Boldo leaf also contains 2-4% of volatile oil. Major constituents reported as: ascaridole (16-38%), 1,8-cineole (11-39%) and p-cymene (9-29%).[2][full citation needed] Ascaridole is highly toxic, and this raises concerns about the suitability of boldo leaf in traditional herbal medicinal products.
Abortifacient and teratogenic effects in rats were observed with high doses of a dry ethanolic extract of boldine.[citation needed]
Most investigations have been carried out using boldine. Limited information is available on herbal preparations of boldo leaf and where studies have been reported, details of the preparations are usually lacking. There are no reported genotoxicity or carcinogenicity studies with herbal preparations of boldo leaf.
Boldo oil should not be used internally or externally. Where boldo leaf is used, the total exposure to ascaridole should be considered from a safety standpoint. The levels of ascaridole in herbal medicinal products should be quantified. In view of the low solubility of ascaridole in water the use of aqueous extracts including herbal teas could be accepted. The use of ethanolic extracts of boldo leaf is not considered acceptable for traditional herbal medicinal products in view of the potentially higher levels of the toxic ascaridole constituent.[3]
References
- ^ ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária). 2011 Formulario de Fitoterapicos da Farmacopeia Brasileira. Brasilia, Governo Federal do Brasil.
- ^ Bradley, 2006
- ^ Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) (2009). "Assessment Report on Peumus boldus Molina , Folium" (pdf). European Medicines Agency. Doc. Ref.: EMEA/HMPC/591131/2007.
External links
- "Boldo leaves (Peumus boldus Molina)". Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages.
- "Pictures and information of Boldo tree, leaves and flowers".
- "Plantas de la flora de Chile cultivadas en España" (pdf) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2009-06-27.
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