BUCHU

Latin Name: Agathosma betulina

Alternate Names: Bucco, Diosma

Family: RUTACEAE

Parts Used: Leaves.

Properties: Antiseptic, Aromatic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Kidney Tonic, Stimulant, Tonic, Urinary Antiseptic, Uterine Stimulant.

Internal Uses: Bladder Stones, Bloating, Cystitis, Edema, Flatulence, Gonorrhea, Gout, Hypertension, Incontinence, Indigestion, Kidney Inflammation, Kidney Stones, Prostatitis, Pulmonary Edema, Urethritis, Urinary Infections

Internal Applications: Cold infusion, Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

It helps incontinence associated with prostate problems. Buchu aids in the elimination of calculas debris, mucus, and uric acid from the kidneys. It soothes and strengthens the urinary system.

Topical Uses: Bruises, Leukorrhea, Yeast Infection

Topical Applications: Poultice for bruises. Douche for leukorrhea and yeast infections. Leaves mixed with oil as a perfume in Africa.

Culinary uses: Added to cassis to enhance the flavor, as the oil in the leaves tastes like black currants.

Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Warm, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (barosma, camphor, diosphenol, limonene pulegone, menthone), flavonoids (diosmin, hesperidin, quercitin, rutin), mucilage, sulphur.

Contraindications: Avoid during pregnancy and nursing. Avoid during acute urinary tract inflammation.

Comments: Native to South Africa, the word Buchu is from the Hottentot word for the plant, bookoo. The leaves are mixed with oil and used as a perfume in Africa.

The common name Buchu includes the species Agathosma crenulata, which is used interchangeably with Agathosma betulina. The species Agathosma betulina was formerly named Barosma betulina.

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), May 21, 2002