Buchu
OTHER NAME(S): Anysboegoe, Barasmae Folium, Bergboegoe, Bookoo, Bucco, Buccu, Bucku, Bukku, Diosma, Long-Leaf Buchu, Oval Buchu, Oval-Leaf Buchu, Round Buchu, Round-Leaf Buchu, Short Buchu, Agathosma betulina, Barosma betulina, Hartogia betulin, Parapetalifera betulina, Agathosma crenulata, Barosma crenulata, Diosma crenulata, Parapetalifera crenulata, Parapetalifera odorata, Agathosma serratifolia, Barosma serratifolia, Diosma serratifolia, Parapetalifera serrata, Parapetalifera serratifolia
Overview
Buchu is a plant from South Africa. The leaf is used to make medicine.
Buchu is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), including infections involving the urethra (urethritis) and kidneys (pyelonephritis). It is also used by mouth for treating inflamed prostate (prostatitis), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), high blood pressure, fever, cough, common cold, upset stomach, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gout, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
It is thought that the active chemicals in buchu may kill germs and also promote urine flow.
Buchu is applied to the skin as an insect repellant, as a deodorant, and for skin infections.
In manufacturing, the oil from buchu is used to give a fruit flavor (often black currant) to foods. It is also used as a fragrance in perfumes and colognes.
It is thought that the active chemicals in buchu may kill germs and also promote urine flow.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Inflamed prostate (prostatitis).
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- High blood pressure.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Common cold.
- Upset stomach.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Gout.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Skin infections.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of buchu for these uses.
Precautions
Buchu is LIKELY SAFE in food amounts and POSSIBLY SAFE when used as a medicine. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE in larger amounts and when the oil is consumed. Buchu may irritate the stomach and kidneys and increase menstrual flow. It may also cause liver damage.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don’t use buchu in amounts that are larger than usual food amounts if you are pregnant. Buchu is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken during pregnancy. There have been reports linking buchu to miscarriages.
If you are breast-feeding, buchu is POSSIBLY SAFE in food amounts, but don’t take larger amounts. Not enough is known about the safety of buchu during breast-feeding.
Bleeding disorders: Buchu might slow blood clotting and increase bleeding. In theory, buchu might make bleeding disorders worse.
Kidney infections: Even though some people use buchu for kidney infections, health experts advise against this.
Liver problems: Large amounts of buchu may cause liver problems, even in healthy people. Therefore, people with a history of liver problems should avoid buchu. Taking a large amount of buchu might make liver disease worse.
Urinary tract inflammation: Don’t use buchu if you have pain and swelling in the urinary tract.
Surgery: Buchu might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using buchu at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Lithium interacts with BuchuBuchu might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking buchu might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BuchuBuchu might slow blood clotting. Taking buchu along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
- Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with BuchuBuchu might harm the liver. Taking buchu along with medications that also harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of buchu depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for buchu. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
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- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
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- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
- Lis-Balchin, M., Hart, S., and Simpson, E. Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata, Rutaceae) essential oils: their pharmacological action on guinea-pig ileum and antimicrobial activity on microorganisms. J Pharm.Pharmacol. 2001;53(4):579-582.
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- Moolla A, Viljoen AM. 'Buchu' - Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata (Retaceae): a review. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;119(3):413-9.
- Street RA, Prinsloo G. Commercially important medicinal plants of South Africa: a review. Journal of Chemistry 2013;(2013):205048.