YahGarden

Herb library · Herb · Peumus boldus

Boldo

The leaf of a Chilean tree, drunk as a tea for indigestion in South American folk medicine. Europe recognizes it as a traditional herbal medicine for indigestion, but it has not been tested in trials, and it has been linked to liver injury.

Serious warning

Liver injury has been reported after drinking boldo leaf tea. Two older adults in Portugal developed jaundice after a few weeks of daily boldo infusions and recovered after stopping. In a kidney transplant patient, boldo was linked to a drop in the anti-rejection drug tacrolimus.

Traditional use

The leaves of this Chilean tree have a long history in South American folk medicine and are drunk as a tea for indigestion. The European Medicines Agency accepts, on the basis of long-standing use rather than trials, that boldo leaf preparations can be used by adults for the relief of indigestion and mild spasms of the gut.

What studies show

  • Insufficient

    Indigestion: the European Medicines Agency's review found no studies in patients; its acceptance rests on at least 30 years of use, plus lab studies showing that boldine, a compound in the leaf, increases bile flow.

Be careful of

Cautions

  • ConditionThe European Medicines Agency says boldo must not be used by people with liver disease, gallstones, a blocked or inflamed bile duct, or other bile duct disorders.
  • InteractionBoldo was linked to low levels of tacrolimus in a transplant patient. If you take tacrolimus or another drug whose blood level must be kept steady, do not use boldo without your clinician.
  • AmountThe European Medicines Agency limits it to adults and says to see a clinician if symptoms last more than 2 weeks or get worse.
  • AllergyAllergic reactions have been reported with boldo leaf medicines.
  • PregnancyNo safety information for pregnancy or breastfeeding supports its use; avoid it then.
  • Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child. Stop and see a clinician if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes or dark urine.

Sources

  1. Boldi folium — herbal medicinal product (HMPC summary) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  2. Boldo-Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Case of Unexplained Jaundice (Eur J Case Rep Intern Med, 2020) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  3. Hidden Risks of Alternative Medicines: A Case of Boldo-Induced Hepatotoxicity (J Diet Suppl, 2017) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  4. Case report: boldo (Peumus boldus) and tacrolimus interaction in a renal transplant patient (Transplant Proc, 2014) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  5. Boldi folium — herbal medicinal product (HMPC summary) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026

Reviewed September 25, 2026.