- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- Fynbos of the Western Cape, South Africa; Agathosma betulina
Africa · Herb · № 26
Agathosma betulina
Herb · Africa
Buchu
Agathosma betulina
Fragrant leaves used as a flavoring and in folk medicine; clinical evidence for treatment is lacking.
Safety notes
A suspected urinary tract infection needs medical assessment. Wild plants are harvested faster than they regrow; choose cultivated sources.
Preparation
The leaves are steeped as tea or made into a tincture. Extracts also flavor products such as buchu brandy.
Use in traditions
Indigenous peoples of South Africa used buchu as a folk remedy, including for urinary tract infections. Dutch settlers made a brandy tincture from it that is still produced.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Diuretic, tonic, urinary antiseptic, induces sweating.
Preparation and amount
Leaves.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Tincture