Agathosma betulina
Part Used: Dried leaf (South Africa)
Buchu (Agathosma betulina) is a small shrub native to the Cape Province, South Africa, and reaches a height of up to 2m. The leaves are 1-2cm long, with a broad tip converging to a very short stem; bright to yellowish green, darker above than below, with papillae on the upper surface marking the presence of oil glands, and very wrinkled on the lower surface. The five-petaled flowers are whitish to pink; the fruit is an ovate capsule. The active constituents are Volatile oil (up to 2.5%, containing diosphenol, limonene and menthol and camphor), Glycoside (barosmin), Flavonoids (including diosmin, rutin, hesperidin, quercetin and derivatives), Mucilage, Resin, Vitamins B group, and Tannin. This herb has Antiseptic, Aromatic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Kidney Tonic, Stimulant, Tonic, Urinary Antiseptic, and Uterine Stimulant properties.
Buchu may be used in any infection of the genito-urinary system, such as cystitis, urethritis prostatitis and dysuria. Its healing and soothing properties indicate its use together with other relevant remedies in any condition of this system. It is particularly useful in painful and burning urination. The herb's diuretic activity is due to the presence of diosphenol, which may also be antibacterial. It is commonly used in Arthritis, Bed wetting, Bladder Stones, Bloating, Cystitis, Edema, Flatulence, Gonorrhea, Gout, Hypertension, Incontinence, Indigestion, Kidney Inflammation, Kidney Stones, Nephritis, Prostate gland disorders, Prostatitis, Pulmonary Edema, Pyelitis, Pyelonephritis, Respiratory disorders, Urethritis, Urinary Infections. It soothes and strengthens the urinary system. It is described as one of the best remedies for the urinary organs. It is useful for treating pain while urinating, stoppage of the urine, inflammation of the bladder, or dropsy.
References:
Purple Sage. http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/buchu.htm
Holistic Online. http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h107.htm
