Psychic Powers, Prophetic Dreams
Action: promotes secretion of urine. Stimulant diuretic (cold). Safe and effective anti-bacterial for urinary tract infections and recurrent inflammation of the bladder.
Keynote: urinary antiseptic.
Constituents. Volatile oil, flavonoids, tannin, mucilage, B-complex vitamins.
Uses: Cystitis, especially when caused by organism E. Coli. Pyelitis, urethritis, prostatitis, pus in the urine. Catarrh of the bladder. Fluid retention. To aid flow of urine.
Popular kidney herbs. Tea. Couchgrass 25 per cent; Buchu 15 per cent; Bearberry 15 per cent; Alfalfa 45 per cent. 1-2 teaspoons to cup boiling water.
Combinations. Teas. (1) equal parts: Buchu, Uva Ursi, Broom and Clivers; for chronic dropsy. (2) equal parts: Buchu and Juniper berries, for acute dropsy. (3) equal parts: Buchu and Marshmallow for irritable bladder.
Side effects – none known.
Preparations: Minimum heat. Should not be boiled. Covered vessel (teapot) to prevent escape of volatile oil. Thrice daily.
Tea: One teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup.
Liquid extract, BHC Vol 1. 1:1 90 per cent ethanol. Dose: 0.5-1.5ml.
Tincture, BHC Vol 1. 1:5, 60 per cent ethanol. Dose: 2-4ml.
Infusion Buchu Cone BPC 1954. 1:2.5, 25 per cent ethanol. Dose: 4-8ml.
Kasbah Remedy (Potter’s). Buchu an important ingredient.
Gerard House. Formula. Pulverised Dandelion root 60mg; Pulverised Extract Buchu 3-1, 20mg; Pulverised Extract Uva Ursi 3-1, 20mg; Pulverised Extract Clivers 4-1, 4mg. Dose: 2 tablets thrice daily.
Habitat: South Africa, from where the leaves are imported.
Features ? Three varieties of Buchu leaves are used therapeutic-ally ? (1) Barosma betulina or Round Buchu are rhomboid-obovate in form with blunt, recurved apex, and are preferred to either (2) Barosma crenulata or oval Buchu. the apex of which leaf is not recurved; or (3) Barosma serratifolia or long Buchu, named from its distinctive, serrate-edged leaf and truncate apex.Part used ? Leaves.Action: Diuretic, diaphoretic, stimulant:
Complaints of the urinary system, especially gravel and inflammation or catarrh of the bladder. Infusion of 1 ounce leaves to 1 pint water three or four times daily in wineglass doses.FAMILY: Rutaceae
SYNONYMS: Barosma betulina, short buchu, mountain buchu, bookoo, buku, bucca.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A small shrub with simple wrinkled leaves about 1–2 cms long; other much smaller leaves are also present which are bright green with finely serrated margins. It has delicate stems bearing five petalled white flowers. The whole plant has a strong, aromatic, blackcurrant-like odour.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, it now grows wild all over South Africa. Dried leaves are exported to Holland, England and America.
OTHER SPECIES: There are more than twelve so-called Barosma species in South Africa – the ‘true’ buchus are B. crenulata (contains high amounts of pulegone, a toxic constituent), B. serratifolia and B. betulina.
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The leaves are used locally for antiseptic purposes and to ward off insects. In western herbalism, the leaves are used for infections of the genito-urinary system, such as cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. Current in British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983.
ACTIONS: Antiseptic (especially urinary), diuretic, insecticide.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the dried leaves.
CHARACTERISTICS: Dark yellowy-brown oil with a penetrating minty-camphoraceous odour.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Diosphenol (25–40 per cent), limonene and menthane, among others.
SAFETY DATA: Should not be used during pregnancy. The toxicity of buchu is unknown but since B. betulina yields oils high in diophenols and B. crenulata yields oils high in pulegone, they should both be regarded as questionable at present.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None.
OTHER USES: A tincture, extract and oleoresin are produced for pharmaceutical use. Limited use in blackcurrant flavour and fragrance work, for example colognes and chypre bases.
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