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

​

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.

​

Contraindictions

• Buchu can cause stomach and kidney irritation

• Can be used as an abortive

• Induces increased menstrual flow 

• Not recommended during pregnancy

• Poisoning has not been reported

• Buchu contains the hepatotoxin (toxic to the liver) pulegone, also known to be present in pennyroyal

• Prolonged or excessive use of this herb is not advised 

​

History​

• 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

• There are 150 Agathosma species that are indigenous to South Africa

• The Khoekhoe people (also spelled Khoikhoi) used the leaves for the treatment for a number of ailments

• Buchu still remains one of the most popular herbal medicines in South Africa

• 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

• 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

​