Buchu is known as boegoe, Bucco, bookoo, and diosma.
Contents
Habitat
Buchu is native to the lower elevation mountains of western South Africa, where it occurs near streams in fynbos habitats.
Description
Buchu is an evergreen shrub growing up to 2 m tall. The leaves are opposite, rounded, about 20 mm long, and broad. The flowers are white or pale pink, with five petals; the fruits are a five-parted capsule that splits open to release the seeds.
Part used
The medicinal part is derived from the leaves. The leaves are harvested during the flowering season.
Traditional Uses and Benefits
Traditionally, buchu has been used to treat inflammation, kidney, and urinary tract infections; as a diuretic and stomach tonic. Other uses include carminative action and treatment of cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, and gout. It also has been used for leukorrhea and yeast infections.
Buchu has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. The leaves contain a chemical, diosphenol, responsible for the plant’s diuretic and antiseptic potentials. It helps to relieve conditions like cystitis, urethritis, and irritation of the bladder.
Buchu also softens inflamed mucous membranes in the urinary tract, which helps avoid the vicious circle of “cystitis – antibiotics – cystitis.” The diuretic properties of buchu also assist in flushing out harmful toxins from the body.
Buchu helps increase the flow of water through the kidneys, helping to detox organs, and the antiseptic qualities of buchu disinfecting the kidneys to prevent infection.
Gathosma betulina relieves water retention symptoms and acts as a detoxifying agent that releases built-up toxins in the body that could result from water retention.
Buchu helps dissolve and flush out uric acid crystals from the body, making it effective in gout conditions. It keeps the body hydrated by drinking lots of water.
It also cleanses the digestive tract, which can prevent harmful bacteria from outnumbering the good bacteria.
Buchu leaves are also rich in the bioflavonoid known as rutin. Rutin helps to strengthen and increase flexibility in blood vessels such as arteries and capillaries. Strengthened blood vessels (varicose veins, spider veins, and bruising easily) can improve overall health.
Dosage and Precautions
Dried leaves: 1- 2 grams by infusion three times daily.
Liquid extracts “: 0.3 dash 1.2 mL (1:1 in 90 % alcohol)
Tincture: 2 dash 4 mL (1:5 in 60 % alcohol)
Warning: Buchu can cause stomach and kidney irritation. It also can induce increased menstrual flow. Buchu is not recommended during pregnancy.
DISCLAIMER
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