General Information
Common name: Buchu
Medical Term: Agathosma betulina
Description: Buchu is a South African plant which has long been known for its medicinal properties.
Composition:
- monoterpenes: limonene, linalool;
- ketones: menthone, isomenton, diosphenol (bucu-camphor), p-diosphenol;
- sulfur-containing sesquiterpenes: p-menthane-8-thiol-3-one (mercapto-menton) and its S-acetate.
Pharmachologic effect:
Buchu is a very useful plant in medicine, its leaves are used as a mild diuretic. Diuretic properties are associated with the content of flavonoids in the leaves, antiseptic properties – with diosphenol.
Buchu leaves are effective for inflammation of the urinary tract – cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis, irritation of the bladder. They are used as an antiseptic in chronic bronchitis.
Buchu leaves are often combined with other plants, for example, bearberry and boldo. As an external agent, preparations from this plant are not used.
Buchu not only affects the urinary tract as an antiseptic but also softens the inflamed mucous membrane and helps to avoid the vicious circle of “cystitis – antibiotics – cystitis”, which, with conventional treatment, the patient gets very often.
Being diuretics, Buchu leaves can cause loss of potassium by the body, which is why during the treatment with Buchu-based drugs it is recommended to eat potassium-rich vegetables and fruits (broccoli, artichokes, asparagus, apricots).
Uses:
For many years Buchu’s healing properties were not confirmed by any scientific research and were used only by the local population, who knew about the properties of the plant through years of experience.
In traditional medicine Buchu used to treat many diseases, from arthritis to flatulence and urinary tract infections.
Buchu is called a South African miracle plant with powerful natural anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it has anti-infective, antifungal and antibacterial properties, which makes this plant a natural antibiotic without any side effects.
Composition: Buchu contains natural antioxidants and bioflavonoids, such as quercetin, rutin, hesperidin, diosphenol, vitamins A, B and E.
Effects:
- Antimicrobial (e.coli, enterococcus hirae, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus);
- Antispasmodic;
- Anti-inflammatory.
Indications for use:
Buchu teas are commonly used as an easy diuretic in:
- urolithiasis;
- urethritis;
- prostatitis of non-venereal nature;
- cystitis and infectious diseases of the urinary tract;
- premenstrual syndrome accompanied by edema;
- congestive heart failure;
- urinary tract infections;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
The plant is also used for:
- arthritis;
- anesthesia;
- damage to muscles in injuries.
Contraindications:
Do not use Buchu during pregnancy and lactation. Use in children is also contraindicated.
Warnings:
At standard doses used for the treatment of diseases, Buchu side effects are not established. However, the increased content of Buchu in the essential oil is likely to irritate the mucous membranes, therefore, the use of Buchu in aromatherapy is not recommended. When using Buchu leaves as a diuretic, loss of potassium is possible, so during the treatment you should eat fruits and vegetables rich in potassium: apricots, pumpkin, broccoli, asparagus, artichokes.
Posted by RxMed