Boldo
2676794
222387878
2008-06-29T02:21:01Z
Cuaxdon
6807998
{{Taxobox
| name = Boldo
| image = Koeh-104.jpg
| image_width = 225px
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Laurales]]
| familia = [[Monimiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Peumus'''''
| species = '''''P. boldus'''''
| binomial = ''Peumus boldus''
| binomial_authority = [[Juan Ignacio Molina|Molina]]
}}
'''Boldo''' ('''''Peumus boldus''''' Molina, the only species in the genus '''''Peumus''''') is a tree native to the central region of [[Chile]], occurring from 33 to 40° South Latitude. Together with ''litre'', [[Soap bark tree|''quillay'']], ''peumo'', ''bollén'' and other indigenous plants, it is a characteristic component of the [[sclerophyllous]] forest (hard leaves that resist long dry summers and cold rainy winters) [[endemic]] to central Chile. Its leaves, which have a strong, woody and slightly bitter flavor and [[camphor]]-like aroma, are used for culinary purposes, primarily in Latin America. The leaves are used in a similar manner to [[bay leaf|bay leaves]], and also used as an herbal tea, primarily in Chile and [[Argentina]] but also in other bordering countries.
==Growth==
Not too well known, but very tasty and nutritious, Boldo fruits, which appear between December and February, are small green edible spheres that contain lots of sugars and aid the traveler for refreshing himself on those sunny and dry days.
Boldo's assertive flavor comes primarily from the presence of the chemical [[ascaridol]], which is also present in the ''[[epazote]]'' plant.
==Uses==
In Latin America and Spain, boldo is also used as a form of [[Herbalism|herbal medicine]], particularly to support the [[gallbladder]], but also to calm upset stomachs. In Chile, it is frequently mixed with ''[[yerba mate]]'' or other teas to moderate its flavor. In Brazil, many families keep a boldo plant at home for this purpose, although boldo teabags are readily available in nearly all supermarkets.
Boldo is in the family [[Monimiaceae]], which is closely related to the family [[Lauraceae]] (which includes many other plants used for their aromatic leaves, such as [[cinnamon]], [[cassia]], [[bay leaf]], and [[Camphor Laurel|camphor laurel]].
Boldo has also been introduced to [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]].
==External links==
*[http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Peum_bol.html Boldo leaves (''Peumus boldus'' Molina)] page at Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages
*[http://www.nutritional-herbal-supplements.com/herbal-supplements/boldo.html Boldo Uses]
*[http://www.chilebosque.cl/tree/pbold.html Pictures and information of Boldo tree, leaves and flowers]
*[http://www.arrakis.es/~jmanuel/Plantaschilenas.pdf Chilean plants cultivated in Spain]
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Laurales]]
[[Category:Flora of Chile]]
[[Category:Trees of Chile]]
[[Category:Trees of Mediterranean climate]]
[[Category:Drought tolerant trees]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
{{fruit-tree-stub}}
[[bg:Болдо]]
[[ca:Boldo]]
[[de:Boldo]]
[[es:Peumus boldus]]
[[fr:Boldo]]
[[it:Peumus boldus]]
[[hu:Boldó]]
[[pt:Boldo-do-chile]]
[[tr:Boldo]]