Find out what boldo tea is for

Up to six meters tall, Peumus boldus belongs to the Monimiaceae  family  and is popularly known as boldo. Also called Boldo-do-Chile, this plant is rich in several medicinal properties that have been used by Chilean natives for many years. From all over the herb, only the leaf is used to provide benefits to the body in the form of tea, tincture or extracts.

“A plant widely used by the natives of the Chilean Andes (Mapuche and Qollahuayas), in cases of dyspepsia, dislocations and rheumatic pain. Its botanical name comes from the Spanish D. Boldo.

Its leaves were studied for the first time in Europe by the Frenchman Dujerdin-Baumez in 1869. In 1872, Claude Verne described for the first time boldine, an alkaloid responsible for its digestive effect”, informs the Health Department of Londrina, in the state of Paraná.

Boldo’s properties and benefits

• Antibacterial.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antioxidant.
• Soothing.
• Digestive.
• Diuretic.
• Laxative.

Given these medicinal properties, it is possible to say that boldo manages to mitigate the reactions caused in the body by bacteria and fungi. The plant also works to fight inflammation and biliary infection. In addition, it has the power to protect the body’s cells against the action of free radicals, especially when these reach the liver.

Shyly calming, this herb can promote relaxation in those who consume it, so it can be taken before bed with the aim of improving sleep. In addition, like any plant used to make teas, boldo also contains diuretic abilities, improving the functioning of the urinary system, and  reducing edema and body swelling, such as during PMS.

However, amidst so many benefits, boldo manages to stand out for its actions in the digestive system. It reduces the symptoms of heartburn and gastritis, reduces the formation of gas, relieves digestive signs caused by food intolerance and aids digestion, especially after consuming “heavy” foods. All this without counting the power to treat constipation .

Bilberry to combat the effects of alcohol

“Normally, alcoholic beverages contain little or no nutritional benefit. Its excessive consumption is related to health problems such as malnutrition, liver, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and even type 2 diabetes”, explains endocrinologist Mariana Farage .

In addition to these problems that can arise in the long term, the consumption of alcoholic beverages can also harm people’s health in a short period. The famous hangover comes the day after the drinking and is marked by severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, etc. But, it can be treated with the use of boldo tea.

“Alcoholic beverages are extremely harmful to health. But for those who want to lessen its effects on the body, boldo tea is a great option. It has detoxifying properties and is recommended for cases of liver and digestive discomfort. Boldo helps in the digestion of food, in addition to helping the liver to work better”, says nutritionist Handreza Gomes.

As for the PoliGastro Advanced Endoscopy clinic, in an Instagram post , boldo is an excellent “friend” of the liver. This is because the leaves of the plant have a substance called lactone, responsible for acting to combat ingested fat.

How to use this herb?

First of all it is important to point out that boldo leaves can be used both fresh and dried. They are the main ingredient for making tea. Therefore, they can be used right after harvesting or after being purchased. In the latter case, it is common to find them in municipal markets, open markets and even in supermarkets, when they are sold in sachets.

But to prepare boldo tea, you need to have a tablespoon of the leaves and two glasses of filtered water. The first step is to put the water on the fire, while washing the boldo. Once the liquid starts to boil, it’s time to add the whole leaves and wait for three minutes to boil. After the set time, the heat must be turned off and the pot must be covered. It is necessary to leave to infuse for 10 minutes and only after straining, it should be served without adding sugar, sweetener or honey .

The most suitable treatment is up to three cups a day, regardless of the problem to be tackled. In addition, it is noteworthy that it is contraindicated to use tea during meals or to replace them.

According to PoliGastro, boldo tea needs to be consumed soon after preparation and without the addition of sugar because the drink ends up fermenting very quickly. This means that the medicinal properties of tea can be altered, harming the body’s digestion process. Thus, as soon as the drink is ready, consumption should be done immediately.

Other ways to enjoy the benefits of boldo

Taking into account the information provided by Purifarma, in addition to the infusion, it is possible to use boldo in other ways, such as:

• Dry Extract: 50 – 100 mg/dose, two to three times a day;
• Fluid Extract: 10 to 25 drops, three times a day, before meals;
• Tincture: 25 to 50 drops, 30 minutes before meals.

Contraindications and side effects

Even though it is a natural remedy, boldo has some usage restrictions. This is because, regardless of the type of medicine, natural or not, there is a possibility that the body will react negatively. For example, in the case of boldo tea, it is contraindicated for women who are breastfeeding, children under 6 years and during the nine months of pregnancy.

In addition, people with severe liver problems or who have an obstructive gallbladder should also not use tea without first consulting a specialist doctor. In fact, in general, this drink should only be used as a treatment for health problems after medical evaluation.

The excess of tea, on the other hand, is also harmful to the body, because, contrary to what one might imagine, when consuming many amounts of this drink, the body may suffer from some side effects. As an example of these possible reactions, one can mention the presence of vomiting, kidney irritation, diarrhea and, in more severe cases, the liquid can cause convulsive crises.