Buchu Agathosma betulina
- Common Names
- Buchu
- Botanical Name
- Agathosma betulina
- Syn. Barosma betulina
- Family
- RUTACEAE
Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Buchu
Side Effects | Plant & Garden|
- Medicinal Uses: * African
* Bladder Infection (UTI)
* Hypertension
* Longevity Tonics
* PMS
- Properties: * Antibacterial * Diuretic
- Parts Used: leaves and flowers
- Constituents: volatile oils: 1.0% to 3.5% (limonene, menthone, pulegone), flavonoids: (rutin, diosmetin, diosmin, hesperidin, quercetin, and derivatives),b vitamins of the b group, tannins, mucilage
How to Use: Buchu
Buchu tea reduces
PMS bloating
The leaves of the buchu are an effective diuretic, are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. These medicinal properties make buchu effective in the treatment of bladder and urinary tract infections (UTI),and kidney infections, and buchu is also often used to treat prostate infections. Buchu's healing and soothing properties indicate its use in combination with other relevant remedies for many conditions affecting the urinary tract. Buchu is often combined with couchgrass, corn silk, cranberry, cleavers, dandelion, goldenrod, parsley, and uva ursi. 2Over-the counter premenstrual diuretics such as Fluidex or Odrinil contain buchu as the active ingredient. 3
Preparation Methods & Dosage :
Buchu Remedies
Buchu Side Effects: Not for use for those with kidney disease. As with any diuretic, use tends to reduce the body's potassium levels.
Plant Description
Buchu is a small, green, woody plant found in western South Africa and Nambia. The plant produces a brown fruit from its small white flowers. The leaves contain the medicinal properties and have a peppermint-like aroma that increases as they are dried.
Regional Traditions :African *
History and Traditions & Folklore
Agathosma betulina (buchu) is one of South Africa's best known medicinal plants and has been used by the indigenous peoples of the area for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments. Early Dutch settlers used buchu to make a brandy tincture and Boegoebrandewyn (buchu brandy) is still used today to treat many disorders. It was also popular in the 1800's as a hangover cure and in patent medicines for treating coughs and colds.
Works Cited- Grieve, Maud Mrs. "A Modern Herbal" (1931)
- Hoffmann, David (2010-12-15). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine (p. 524). Healing Arts Press.
- Duke,James, Ph.D. (2000). "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"
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