Rutaceae
Buchu
Agathosma betulina
✓ Generally Safe
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: South Africa (Fynbos biome)
Also known as: Round Leaf Buchu, Bookoo, Bucco
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Urinary tract infections, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, kidney gravel, digestive complaints. Traditional South African Khoi/San medicine for urinary and digestive conditions.
Herbal Actions
Urinary antiseptic, diuretic, carminative, anti-inflammatory
Active Constituents
Volatile oils (diosphenol — specific to buchu, limonene, menthone, isomenthone, pulegone), flavonoids, mucilage
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1–2 tsp dried leaves per 250ml, steep 10 min covered, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Must steep covered to preserve volatile oils. Drink with high fluid intake (2L/day) for UTI. Best for mild/early UTI. Combine with Goldenrod and couch grass for comprehensive urinary support. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy (pulegone content — uterotonic, hepatotoxic). Avoid in kidney disease. Caution with diuretics.
Side Effects: GI irritation. Kidney irritation at high doses. Pulegone hepatotoxicity with excessive use.