Medicinal Uses
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
urethra (urethritis)
kidneys (pyelonephritis)
leukorrhea
yeast infections
cystitis
inflamed prostate (prostatitis)
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
haematuria
calculi (kidney stones)
high blood pressure
diabetes
fever, cough, common cold
upset stomach
stomach ulcers
cholera
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
nausea
diarrhea
flatulence
gout
sexually transmitted diseases
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Buchu has since has been abandoned in favor of more effective diuretics and antibacterials but remains a popular ingredient in over-the-counter herbal diuretic preparations.
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It was also popular in the 1800's as a hangover cure.
insect repellent
skin infections
eczema
cellulite
deodorant
arthritis
joint pain
Common Names
Buchu, bookoo, buku, diosma, bucku, bucco, boegoe, bergboegoe
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Botanical Name
Agathosma betulina, Barosma betulina (short buchu), B. serratifolia (long buchu), B. crenulata (ovate buchu)
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Family
RUTACEAE
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Parts Used
Leaves and flowers
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Therapeutic Actions
anti-inflammatory
antiseptic
anti-fungal
antispasmodic
antipyretic
diuretic
antimicrobial
antioxidant
cardiovascular
gastrointestinal
insecticidal effects​​
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Constituents
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volatile oils: 1.0% to 3.5% (limonene, menthone, pulegone)
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flavonoids: (rutin, diosmetin, diosmin, hesperidin, quercetin, and derivatives)
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b vitamins of the b group
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tannins
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mucilage
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diosphenol (the antimicrobial component),
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pugelone
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Energetics/ Organoleptics
Spicy, resembling black currant and the leaves have an incredibly pungent aroma that is similar to a mix between peppermint and rosemary that increases as the leaves are dried. The flavor has hints of sweet berry, apricot, peach and green herbal taste.
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Contraindictions
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Buchu can cause stomach and kidney irritation
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Can be used as an abortive
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Induces increased menstrual flow
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Not recommended during pregnancy
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Poisoning has not been reported
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Buchu contains the hepatotoxin (toxic to the liver) pulegone, also known to be present in pennyroyal
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Prolonged or excessive use of this herb is not advised
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Do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Do not use if you have inflamed kidneys.
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As with any diuretic, use tends to reduce the body's potassium levels.
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History​
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The name originates from the word Barosma (Greek) meaning “heavy smell” and the word betulina (Latin) which means “birch-like”, a word used to reference the serrated birch-like appearance of the leaves
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There are 150 Agathosma species that are indigenous to South Africa
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The Khoekhoe people (also spelled Khoikhoi) used the leaves for the treatment for a number of ailments
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Buchu still remains one of the most popular herbal medicines in South Africa
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Buchu first was exported to Britain in 1790 and was listed in the British Pharmacopoeia as a medicine for "cystitis, urethritis, nephritis and catarrh of the bladder in 1821
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Early patent medicines sold in the United States hailed the virtues of the plant and its volatile oil for the management of diseases ranging from diabetes to nervousness
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Popular in the 1800's as a hangover cure
Proper Use
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A. betulina is most commonly taken orally in the form of an aqueous infusion, sometimes sweetened with brown sugar, or as a tincture in brandy.
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Vinegar infusion is used for external application as an antiseptic wash or embrocation to treat bruises, contusions, sprains and fractures, to clean wounds and to treat rheumatism.
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Topical application allows entry of the active ingredients of Buchu oil through the skin and provides antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
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Often combined with couchgrass, corn silk, cranberry, cleavers, dandelion, goldenrod, parsley, and/or uva ursi.
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Seldom found in capsule form.
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Classical doses range from 1 to 2 g of the dried leaves daily (± 1-2 teaspoons of powdered leaf) three times daily.
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2-4 tablespoons of a water infusion, three times per day, diluted with plenty of water.
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Formulary​
A few drops of the oil added to any other fruit beverage or preparation is said to greatly enhance the flavours of all fruits in the mixture.
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BUCHU INFUSION BLEND
1 ounce
 Buchu - Agathosma betulina
1 ounce Uva ursi - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
1⁄2 ounce Juniper - Juniperus communis berries
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Mix the herbs together.
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Use one tablespoon of the herbs to prepare one cup of infusion.
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Infuse the herbs in water, cover, cool, and strain.
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Store for no more than 24 hours in the refrigerator.
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Take four to six tablespoons three times a day.
How to Grow
Buchu is harvested from the dried leaves obtained from three species of Barosma. Buchu is indigenous to the sandy mountain slopes of the Western Cape Province, in the Calvinia, Cedarberg, Tulbagh, Ceres and Piketberg districts of South Africa at altitudes of 300-700m above sea level.
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Evergreen, multi-stemmed, perennial resprouting woody shrub to 1m in height, with glabrous yellow to red-brown stems; leaves alternate to opposite, 14-25 × 6- 14mm, broadly elliptic to nearly round (average length:breadth ratio 1.95), with rounded and recurved apex; glabrous with prominent main and subsidiary veins on abaxial surface; gland dotted on underside; margin serrate with an oil gland at the base of each serration; flowers (June-Nov) axillary, usually solitary, up to 20mm in diameter, white to pale purple-pink, borne on slender stalks ±7mm long.
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Research & References
Duke,James, Ph.D. (2000). The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook.
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Grieve, Maud. (1931). A Modern Herbal.
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Hoffmann, David (2010). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. (p. 524). Healing Arts Press.
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Lis-Balchin M, Hart S, Simpson E.. (2001). Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata, Rutaceae) essential oils: their pharmacological action on guinea-pig ileum and antimicrobial activity on microorganisms. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2001 Apr;53(4):579-82.
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