Boldo tea lose weight? Find it out!

First of all, it is necessary to know that, when talking about boldo, it is not a reference to just one, but to several species of medicinal plants. Thus, the term is a generic way of calling a series of plants that have similar actions in the organism.

In this post the benefits tea you will learn how to differentiate all kinds of ‘boldos’ and what are the main features of each. In addition, you will find out what are the health benefits that the consumption of boldo tea brings, check it out.

What are the benefits of boldo tea

Boldo is a popular plant widely used in Brazil, mainly because of its actions against digestive and liver problems . However, according to Adriana Pereira Freire Junqueira, who is a pharmacist specializing in medicinal plants, it is necessary to be careful with consumption.

This is because there are several plants that are popularly called boldo. All of them have similar actions and can be used for the same treatments. However, they have different phytochemicals that can cause different side effects in each case.

Even so, they all have powerful medicinal properties that serve to treat a variety of health problems. Add them are:

• Improves liver function
• Acts on the gastrointestinal tract
• Acts against the effect of alcohol
• It is antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
• anticonvulsant action
• Helps prevent hyperglycemia and hypertension
• antipyretic

Improves liver function

Junqueira informs that bold tea works by stimulating the production of bile , which is a liquid produced by the gallbladder and which helps in the digestion of fat. Therefore, the infusion not only improves liver function, but also those related to the gallbladder.

In addition, laboratory studies indicated that boldo tea helped rat liver regeneration after a hepatectomy. That is, the partial removal of the liver, improving healing time and improvement after surgery.(1)

Acts on the gastrointestinal tract

Consuming boldo tea after meals helps to stimulate the production of acids responsible for the digestion of food. This improves and speeds up the process of digesting food and also the entire functioning of the digestive system, informs Adriana Junqueira.

Thus, the consumption of boldo tea helps to relieve heartburn and even gastritis , protecting the gastric mucosa from the effects of stomach acids and side effects of some types of medications.(2)

Still in the benefits of boldo tea for the gastrointestinal tract, the infusion is used to treat gas and also to reduce the effects of food intolerances, informs Junqueira.

Some studies indicate that these actions are due to a compound called forskolin, which is present in the herb leaves.(3)

See also:  Relieve heartburn symptoms with Brazilian Boldo Tea

Acts against the effect of alcohol

Junqueira also recommends boldo tea to reduce the effects of alcohol consumption . This is because it provides an improvement in the functioning of the liver, due to the phytochemicals present in the herbs.

Thus, drinking boldo tea can help reduce or prevent the famous hangover the day after a binge.

It is antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial

Other qualities of boldo pointed out by Junqueira are its antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial capacities.

The plant’s antioxidant action is related to the amount of flavonoids that act to protect the body from the action of free radicals and protect against various diseases.(4)

This action against free radicals is also related to the anti-inflammatory action present in boldo. Therefore, it can be a great substitute for other types of medication, which can cause side effects.(5)

In the plant scientifically called vernonia condensata , known in Brazil as boldo-baiano, the anti-inflammatory action is derived from the compound called vernonioides B2, which also acts as a potent  analgesic .(6)

Furthermore, studies revealed that the essential oils present in bold leaves inhibited the proliferation of several bacterial colonies .(7)

anticonvulsant action

The extract from one of the boldo species also had anticonvulsant action in laboratory tests. It helps protect the neurological system from the action of an enzyme that can cause seizures, motor disturbances and even hyperactivity. (8)

Helps prevent hyperglycemia and hypertension

Boldine, the main component of boldo-do-chile, can also help in the treatment of people who suffer from diabetes, preventing the increase in glucose and blood pressure . Mainly to prevent kidney problems that can be caused by hyperglycemia and hypertension.

During the study, boldo tea increased the volume of urine in the group that consumed the substance, thus helping to discard excess glucose and blood pressure. (9)

Antipyretic

A study carried out in 1994 indicated that boldo-do-chile also has antipyretic effects, which act in conjunction with the anti-inflammatory action found in boldine.

Thus, boldo can become a  great option to traditional medicines , which can irritate the gastric mucosa.(5)

See also:  Bilberry tea aborts during pregnancy?

Bilberry tea really slim?

Yes , boldo tea can be of great help for those who are looking to lose measures in a healthy way. According to Adriana Junqueira, this happens because the drink acts by stimulating the production of bile and digestive acids.

In this way, it helps to speed up the digestion of food and increase intestinal transit. All of this is related to greater weight loss.

However, Junqueira warns that the plant should not be consumed for long periods of time without the monitoring of a health professional. She also highlights that the consumption of teas to lose weight should always be associated with healthy eating and regular physical exercise.

In addition to the tea, it is possible to consume the boldo associated with other herbs in manipulated formulas, to enhance the slimming effect . Junqueira indicates the formula made with boldo-do-chile, coot, green, white and red teas, bitter orange peel, ficus, guaçatonga, hibiscus and sarsaparilla.

This mixture of herbs helps in the weight loss process, in addition to having a detox effect on the body and being useful for people who suffer from constipation.

How to prepare and consume boldo tea?

Adriana Junqueira indicates that the best method to make bold tea is through the maceration of fresh leaves . Therefore, the drink should be prepared with two or three leaves for every cup of water.

First, it is necessary to macerate the leaves in a cup, until the juice with the active principles is removed, and then add filtered water at room temperature. The pharmacist advises waiting for about 15 minutes for all the active ingredients to be removed and the drink should be consumed during the day.

For those who only find dry leaves , as in the case of boldo-do-chile, the tea must be made through the infusion process . To do this, just bring a cup of water to the fire. Right after it comes to a boil, turn it off and add a teaspoon of boldo leaves and let it rest for 10 minutes. Strain the drink and consume it still hot.

Junqueira recommends not leaving the drink ready for more than 24 hours,  as it loses its benefits, and always be careful with consumption, not to exceed 30 days of continuous use of the herb and always consult a doctor.

Most common types of boldo in Brazil

Chile Bilberry

As stated earlier, boldo is a popular name given to various herbs of different genera. One of the most common and well known is the boldo-do-chile, known as Peumus Boldus , which according to Junqueira is mostly found dried or manipulated , as it cannot be cultivated in Brazil.

Chilean Bilberry is a shrub that can reach between 9 and 12 meters in height and grows at high altitudes and in rocky places. Among its main features are its gray-green and aromatic leaves.

Currently, the plant is cultivated only in some regions of Italy, Morocco and Chile, where it originates. When planted in the Brazilian climate, the leaves are unable to develop the necessary active medicinal principles. Therefore, all national production of the herb is imported.(10)

See also :  How to make boldo tea

bilberry

Another type widely used in Brazil is the Plectranthus barbatus , popularly called boldo-da-terra, boldo-brasileiro or carpet-de-oxala. This type of boldo is perennial and can reach up to two meters in height.

Unlike the Chilean species, the boldo-da-terra is easily found throughout Brazil and has small, serrated and velvety leaves, in a bluish green tone.(11)

According to Junqueira, the main phytochemicals of this herb are found in the essential oil , which is rich in guaieno and fenchona, barbato, barbasina, cariocal and barbatusol. All of these phytochemicals are effective in treating liver, digestive and gastric problems.

Other lesser known types

In Brazil it is still possible to find two other types of boldo, which are also used in traditional medicine.

One of them is the Vernonia condensata or boldo-baiano. This herb is of African origin and is widely cultivated in vegetable gardens and gardens throughout Brazil, as a shrub up to 5 meters tall and with very elongated leaves.(12)

The other type is the Plectranthus neochilus , popularly known as boldo-cresteiro or boldo-Paraguayan. This species of boldo is mostly cultivated as an ornamental plant and reaches only 30 centimeters in height. Its leaves are whole and fleshy and it grows close to the ground.(13)

Junqueira informs that all species known as bold have very similar actions .

Care and contraindications

The different types of boldo are considered safe plants for consumption. However, there are some contraindications. For example , pregnant women who are breastfeeding and young children should not consume the infusion .

This is because the plant causes spasms in the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or fetal malformation, especially if consumed in the first months of pregnancy. In children, the herb can cause problems with colic.

Patients who use drugs that act on the central nervous system should also avoid consumption, as boldo can interfere with the action of these drugs and cause problems.