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Benefits |
Preparation |
Medicinal Uses |
Side Effects |
Plant |
Folklore |
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| Common Names |
| Buchu , |
| Botanical Name |
| Agathosma betulina |
| Family |
| RUTACEAE Rue or Citrus Family |
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Related Species |
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Barosma betulina |
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The leaves of the buchu are an effective diuretic, are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. These medicinal properties make Buchu effect in the treatment of bladder infections, kidney infections, urinary tract infections (UTI). Buchu is also often used to treat prostate infections. Over-the counter premenstrual diuretics such as Fluidex or Odrinil contain buchu as the active ingredient.
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.
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Prep Methods :Teas and tinctures. Often combined with other diuretic herbs such as couchgrass, corn silk, cleavers, and dandelion.
 Remedies using Buchu
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| Premenstrual diuretics | | Over-the-counter premenstrual diuretics ( such as Fluidex or Odrinil) contain buchu as an active ingredient. 691
(Duke, James A, Ph.D. ) | | Urinary tract,diuretic | | The diosphenol in buchu helps kill bacteria, and the diuretic action helps to flush out the urinary tract. 1115
(Duke, James A, Ph.D. ) | | High blood pressure | | Buchu is a natural alternative to prescription diuretics for high blood pressure 1116
(Duke, James A, Ph.D. ) | | Bladder, Kidney | | In gravel, inflammation and catarrh of the bladder it is specially useful. The infusion of 1 oz. of leaves to 1 pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses three or four times a day. 1320
(M. Grieve ) |
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| Side Effects: |
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| Not for use for those with kidney disease. As with any diuretic, use tends to reduce the body's potassium levels. |
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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.
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 Buchu has long been known at the Cape as a stimulant tonic and remedy for stomachic troubles, where it is infused in Brandy and known as Buchu Brandy. Buchu was popular in the 1800's as a hangover cure. English patent medicines used it in herbal combinations for treating coughs and colds. Grieve, Maude |
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