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Limited evidenceGut health

Boldo

Boldo is a Chilean leaf used as a digestive and "liver" tea with no controlled human efficacy trials and documented cases of hepatotoxicity — the opposite of what it is sold to do. Its essential oil contains ascaridole, a genuine toxin.

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What the science says

  • Protects and detoxifies the liver Limited evidence

    Boldine, boldo's main alkaloid, is a legitimate antioxidant that protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rodents, and that animal work is the entire basis for the claim. In humans the published record runs the other way: a well-documented case of acute hepatitis following boldo-containing herbal laxative use, with recovery on withdrawal and recurrence on rechallenge.

  • Stimulates bile flow and relieves dyspepsia Limited evidence

    Boldo increases bile secretion in animal models and is approved in some European monographs as a traditional remedy for mild dyspepsia and bloating, which is a use-based rather than evidence-based approval. No placebo-controlled trial has measured dyspepsia symptoms with boldo alone; the few positive human results come from multi-herb combinations that also contain artichoke or fumitory.

  • Dissolves gallstones Limited evidence

    There is no human evidence that boldo dissolves gallstones, and its choleretic action makes it potentially hazardous in gallstone disease — stimulating bile flow against an obstructed duct can precipitate biliary colic. Boldo is contraindicated, not indicated, in bile duct obstruction.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTraditional and monograph doses are roughly 1-2 g of dried leaf as an infusion up to three times daily, or 0.1-0.5 mL of tincture. European monographs cap use at about 2-4 weeks and advise against the essential oil entirely. No dose has been validated by a controlled human trial.
SafetyThe essential oil contains ascaridole, a peroxide terpene that is hepatotoxic and neurotoxic; boldo essential oil should not be taken internally at all. Boldo leaf preparations have caused acute hepatitis, and boldo is contraindicated in liver disease, bile duct obstruction, gallstones, and severe liver impairment. It is an abortifacient in traditional use and is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Case reports and pharmacology indicate boldo potentiates warfarin and raises INR — avoid with anticoagulants. Do not combine with other hepatotoxic supplements or with alcohol, do not use continuously beyond a few weeks, and stop at any sign of jaundice or abdominal pain.

How to take it

TimingBefore meals, if you use it at all.
With food?As an infusion shortly before food.
Worth knowingNever take boldo essential oil internally — its ascaridole is hepatotoxic and neurotoxic — and keep any use to a few weeks.

Interactions

With medications

  • warfarin

    A published case describes a raised INR when boldo was added, and boldo is thought to potentiate anticoagulation. do not combine

  • hepatotoxic medication (methotrexate, isoniazid, high-dose acetaminophen)

    Boldo leaf has itself caused acute hepatitis, so the liver risk is additive. avoid, and do not use boldo at all in liver disease

With other supplements

  • other liver-risk botanicals (high-dose green tea extract, kava, comfrey)

    Additive hepatotoxicity risk. do not stack them

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Is boldo good for the liver?

Boldo's liver-protection claim rests on animal studies (limited evidence), and in humans the record runs the other way: boldo-containing products have caused acute hepatitis that recurred on rechallenge. Boldo is contraindicated in liver disease.

Does boldo tea help digestion?

Some European monographs accept boldo as a traditional remedy for mild dyspepsia, but that approval is based on use, not trials; no placebo-controlled trial has tested boldo alone for dyspepsia (limited evidence). Monographs cap use at about 2-4 weeks.

Can boldo dissolve gallstones?

No: there is no human evidence that boldo dissolves gallstones, and by stimulating bile flow it can trigger biliary colic when a duct is blocked. Boldo is contraindicated in gallstones and bile duct obstruction.

Is boldo safe with warfarin?

No: a published case describes a raised INR after boldo was added to warfarin, so do not combine them. Also never take boldo essential oil internally, as its ascaridole is hepatotoxic and neurotoxic, and avoid boldo in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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