Boldo (Peumus boldus) (Peumus boldus)

Boldo (Peumus boldus) is a medicinal herb consumed primarily as a tea/infusion rather than a food source, so macronutrient content is nutritionally negligible in typical use. Key bioactive compounds are well-characterized: Alkaloids (0.25–0.5% of dry leaf weight) dominated by boldine (primary alkaloid, approximately 0.1–0.25% dry weight), alongside isoboldine, norisocorydine, laurotetanine, and roughly 17 other alkaloids in minor concentrations. Volatile essential oils constitute 1.5–3% of dry leaf weight, with ascaridole (a terpene peroxide) comprising 15–30% of the essential oil fraction — notably toxic in concentrated forms — along with p-cymene (up to 30% of oil), 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol, 15–20% of oil), linalool, and terpinen-4-ol. Flavonoids are present including isorhamnetin and rhamnetin glycosides at approximately 0.1–0.3% dry weight. Tannins (condensed) are present at roughly 0.5–1% dry weight contributing astringent properties. Resin content ranges from 2–5% dry weight. Fiber content of the whole leaf is present but not consumed directly. Mineral content is not well-quantified in literature but trace amounts of calcium, potassium, and magnesium are expected as in most Myrceugenia-family leaves. Bioavailability note: boldine has demonstrated reasonable oral bioavailability in animal studies with antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity at the cellular level; ascaridole bioavailability raises safety concerns and is partially responsible for contraindications in pregnancy and prolonged use.