Common names | Boldo
Scientific name | Peumus boldus
Used part | Leaf
Known active compounds | alkaloids, phenolic compounds

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant
Product name | Boldo Leaf-ANB

 

Plant Story

Boldo (Peumus boldus) is a tree plant native to South America, endemic to the central region of Chile. Boldo is the only species in the genus Peumus and now introduced and grown in other regions such as Europe and North Africa. Leaves are commonly used in teas. Boldo leaves have a strong flavor and often mixed with yerba mate or other teas to moderate its flavor. Boldo has also been used for medicinal purposes. Infusions or decoctions of boldo leaves are used as a digestive or to improve hepatic complains. Boldo is listed as a phytotherapic plant in Brazilian pharmacopoeia as cholagogue, choleretic, and a treatment for mild dyspepsia.

 

Phytochemicals such as alkaloids and phenolic compounds have been analyzed in boldo leaves. Alkaloids such as isocorydine, laurotetanine, and N-methyllaurotetanine and phenolic compounds including proanthocyanidins and derivatives of kaempferol and isorhamnetin were identified. Anti-oxidant activity of 13 commercial tea products was analyzed by ABTS, hypochlorite quenching, and peroxynitrite quenching assays and boldo leaf tea exhibited moderate to strong anti-oxidant activity compared to other tea products such as chamomile, linden, and pennyroyal.