HERB PROFILE · EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE

Buchu

Botanical nameAgathosma betulina (syn. Barosma betulina)

Plant part usedLeaf

Important safety information: Do not use buchu essential oil internally. Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding because medicinal safety is not established and substituted species may contain more pulegone. It may irritate the stomach or urinary tract. Fever, back or flank pain, vomiting, blood in urine, pregnancy, symptoms in men or children, or persistent urinary symptoms require medical assessment.

Herbal actions

Urinary antiseptic traditionally
Mild diuretic

Traditional and practitioner uses

These uses are presented for historical and educational context. They are not treatment claims.

Traditional and practitioner use for lower urinary-tract complaints
Historical use for dysuria, cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis
Traditional use for urinary discharges, gravel and prostate-associated urinary symptoms
Historical digestive use for poor appetite, nausea and flatulence
Not a proven treatment for bacterial urinary infection

Main constituents

Volatile oil containing diosphenol-related compounds, limonene, menthone and low levels of pulegone; flavonoids including diosmin, rutin, quercetin and hesperidin

Preparation overview

Tea: Professional guidance recommended. Kerry Bone's dose is for a 1:2 liquid extract. Tea, essential oil and extracts of other Agathosma species are not interchangeable.

Liquid extract reference: 1:2 liquid extract: 2–4.5 mL/day (15–30 mL/week)

Preparation strengths are not interchangeable. Open the interactive guide for the complete evidence notes and sources available for this herb.

Herbilous provides educational information only. It does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace professional medical advice. Seek urgent care for severe or worsening symptoms.