Agathosma betulina (Buchu)

Question 1

How do you recognise Buchu?

Answer 1

• A small evergreen shrub with aromatic glossy leaves and white to pink flowers.
• Native to South Africa where it was originally used by the San and the Khoekhoe people.
• Overharvesting has damaged wild populations, but the shrub is also cultivated.
• Odour compared either to blackcurrant or to cat’s urine – the E.O. is used in perfumery and food flavourings.
• A. crenulata is also used and sometimes a hybrid

Question 2

What are Buchu’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Essential oil anti inflam and anti invective: Diosphenol – gives the plant its distinctive smell. limonene, Menthone & isomenthone, terpinen-4-ol (increases glomerular filtration rate, also in Juniper), 8-mercapto-p-methan-3-one, Pulegone (levels may be toxic in A. crenulata)
* Flavonoids including diosmin & rutin - antiinflam.
* Mucilage - won’t notice it in tea or tincture
* Resins

The essential oil includes the main anti-infective constituents. The flavonoids are anti-inflammatory.

Question 3

What family is Buchu in?

Answer 3

Family Rutaceae which includes citrus fruit (in old books Barosma betulina).

Question 4

What is Buchu good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Best for urinary complaints, UTIs and prostatisis. Limited but good

Actions:
* Urinary antiseptic.
* Diuretic

Applications:
* Urinary tract infections.
* Prostatitis.

Question 5

What is Buchu’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Agathosma betulina (P.J.Bergius) Pillans.

Question 6

What parts of Buchu do you use?

Answer 6

Part used: leaf

Question 7

What safety issues might Buchu have?

Answer 7

Safety: avoid using in kidney infections and pregnancy.

Question 8

What useful research does Buchu have?

Answer 8

• External links:

Buchu – The Multi-Purpose Ethnomedicinally Important Specie and Its Benefits in the Reproductive System

In vitro evaluation of anti bacterial activity of leaf extract of Agathosma betulina on urinary tract pathogens

Biological activity and toxicity profile of 17 Agathosma (Rutaceae) species

Some of the research has failed to substantiate the use of buchu for UTIs - but herbalists vouch for its effectiveness and often rate this herb as the most effective urinary antiseptic.

Question 9

What remedies might you use Buchu in?

Answer 9

Bendle tends to put it in mixes for prostatitis. Works well as a tea or a tincture - if don’t like the taste perhap best in a tincture.

Dosage: Likely wouldn’t use more than 20ml a week with some other soothing herbs. So 1:3 tincture/week or as tea