Baccharis tola Phil., B. boliviensis (Wedd.) Cabrera

Abstract

The genus Baccharis, with approximately 500 species, is one of the largest genera of the family Asteraceae. Species of this genus are distributed mainly in the warm temperate and tropical regions of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Mexico. In Argentina, 96 species have been described. Baccharis tola and Baccharis boliviensis are used in traditional medicine, in Argentina. They are popularly known as “tola”, “tolilla”, “lejía” or “romerillo”. The occurrence and identification of flavonoids and terpenoids have been reported from these species. The scientific validation of its medicinal properties as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibiotics/antifungal agents has been done. Some phytotherapeutic formulations for topical applications have been developed with the ethanolic extract of B. tola. Both B. boliviensis and B. tola seem to be promising species for regional development, in these countries, although farther studies are needed in order to elaborate the technology for its sustainable domestication and subsequent cultivation.