PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BONESET 113

Characteristics: Boldo has a bitter, aromatic odor and a

camphoraceous, lemony taste.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Chile and Peru. It is

naturalized in mountainous Mediterranean regions and on the

western coast of the U.S.

Production: Boldo leaf consists of the dried leaves of

Peumus boldus.

Other Names: Boldu, Boldus

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Isoquinoline alkaloids of the aporphine type (0.25-0.5%):

main alkaloid boldine (0.1%)

Volatile oil (2-39c): chief components are p-cymene, cineol,

ascaridiole

Flavonoids: including rhamnetin-3-0-arabinoside-3'-0-

rhamnoside (peumoside), isorhamnetin-3-0-glucoside-7-0-

rhamnoside (boldoside), isorhamnetin dirhamnoside

(fragroside)

EFFECTS

Boldo has been shown to be antispasmodic, choleretic and to

increase gastric secretions.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Dyspeptic complaints
  CONTRAINDICATIONS
  Boldo is contraindicated in patients with bile duct obstruc-
  tion and those with severe liver diseases. Patients who have
  gallstones should consult a physician before using the drug.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. The volatile oil should not be used, because it

contains up to 40% of the toxin ascaridole.

OVERDOSAGE

Signs of paralysis are reported to appear following intake of

very high dosages. A case is described in the older scientific

literature in which depression, color hallucinations, sound

hallucinations and partial motor aphasia occurred following

the consumption of boldine over a period of months.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb for infusions and

other, virtually ascaridol-free preparations for internal appli-

cation. Because of the ascaridol content, essential oil and

distillates of Boldo leaf should not be used.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dosage is 4.5 gm

LITERATURE

Belts TJ, J Chromatogr 511:373. 1990.

Bombardelli E et al., (1976) Fitoterapia 47:3.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Eds.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlas

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Kreitmar H, (1952) Pharmazie 7:507.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc.. New

York 1980.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-5.

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Reuter HD, Pflanzliche Gallentherapeutika (Teil I) und .Teil II).

In: ZPT 16(l):13-20 u. 77-89. 1995.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen. Pflanzendfte.

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag
   Heidelberg 1996.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges..
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Urzua A, Acuna P, (1983) Fitoterapia 4:175.
   Wichtl M (Eds.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsge-s.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wolters B, Arzneipflanzen und Volksmedizin Chiles. In: DAZ
   134(39):3693. 1994.

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the herb after

flowering.

Flower and Fruit: There are numerous flower heads in

terminal, large and slightly convex cymose-paniculate inflo-

rescences. They consist of 10 to 12 white, inconspicuous

florets with bristly pappus whose hairs are arranged in a

single row. The fruit is a tufted achene.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Eupatorium perfoliatum is a

perennial herb with a horizontal hairy rootstock. The stems

are rough-haired and grow to about 1.5 m. The leaves are

opposite, 10 to 15 cm long, lanceolate, crenate, tapering to

narrow point and fused at the base. They have shiny yellow

points due to the resin glands, which are visible on the

undersurface.

Characteristics: The taste is astringent and persistendy

bitter.