Peumus boldus
| Peumus boldus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Peumus boldus (common name: boldu)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from winter cold for at least their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1]. Grow the cuttings on in the frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter.
Cultivation: Dislikes soils that are too moist[2]. Prefers a well-drained acid sandy soil in full sun[2][1][3].
Hardy in climatic zone 9 (tolerating occasional light frosts), this plant normally requires greenhouse protection in Britain but is capable of withstanding light frosts and might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if grown against a sunny wall[2][1]. One report says that the plant succeeds outdoors at Kew Gardens in London, where it often flowers all year round[4].
All parts of the plant are sweetly aromatic[4]. The leaves have a lemon-camphor aroma[3].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required[3].
Range: S. America - Chile.
Habitat: Dry sunny slopes in lightly wooded country[5].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[6][7][2]. Sweet and aromatic with an agreeable flavour[7][8]. The fruit is up to 2cm in diameter[7].
The leaves and bark are used as a condiment[9].
Medicinal: Boldu is a traditional remedy used by the Araucanian Indians of Chile as a tonic. The plant stimulates liver activity and bile flow and is chiefly valued as a remedy for gallstones and liver or gallbladder pain[10]. It is normally taken for only a few weeks at a time, either as an infusion or as a tincture[10]. It is often combined with other herbs such as Berberis vulgaris or Chionanthus virginicus in the treatment of gallstones[10].
The leaves are analgesic, antiseptic (urinary), bitter, cholagogue, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[11][12][5][13]. They are considered a valuable cure for gonorrhoea in S. America[11]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of liver disease (though the bark is more effective here), gallstones, urinary tract infections, intestinal parasites and rheumatism[3]. It has been used in the past as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria[3]. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and are dried for later use[3]. Some caution is advised, the plant should not be used by pregnant women[10]. See also the notes above on toxicity.
A volatile oil obtained from the plant destroys internal parasites[3].
Alkaloids contained in the bark are a stimulant for the liver[3].
Usage: The bark is a source of tannin and is also used as a dye[6][11][3].
A deliciously fragrant essential oil is obtained from the leaves[4]. The dried and powdered leaves are scattered amongst clothes to sweeten them and repel insects[4].
The small fruits are dried and used as beads in necklaces[4]. When warmed by the body or the sun they release the scent of cinnamon[4].
The wood is used for making charcoal[11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Known Hazards: The leaves contain a toxic alkaloid[11].
Also Known As: Boldu boldus.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.