Buchu Barosma species

short buchu B. betulina; long buchu B. serratifolia; ovate buchu B. crenulata

O R I G I N A N D C U LT I VAT I O N Buchu is native to South Africa, where it grows wild but is also cultivated. Cultivation of the plant also takes place in other parts of the world. Of the three species, Barosma betulina is most commonly used in commerce. The English names applied to the different species refer to leaf features.

P L A N T   D E S C R I P T I O N
The plant is a shrub growing to a height of 1–2.5 m (8 ft). Its leaves are studded with conspicuous oil glands and the flowers are white or pink. Buchu has a strong blackcurrant odour. The leaves are the parts of the plant
used in commerce.

1 Agathosma has been used as a synonym for Barosma.

C U L I N A R Y   A N D   N U T R I T I O N A L   VA L U E
Buchu essential oil is used as a component of artificial fruit flavours, particularly blackcurrant, and may be added to the alcoholic drink cassis.

C L A I M S   A N D   F O L K L O R E
The drug was originally used by the Hottentots of South Africa, and in the nineteenth century it appeared in the USA as a patent medicine. In modern herbal medicine it is usa ally prescribed as a diuretic and a urinary tract antiseptic.

E V I D E N C E
A number of chemical constituents have been identified in buchu, but any therapeutic value is usually ascribed to its essential oil (1.0–3.5%) and, in particular, to a major component of the oil, namely diosphenol. There has been very little experimental work carried out on the therapeutic value of buchu, and any antiseptic action is
probably very slight. There seems to be very little support for the drug in Germany. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation.