Buchu Herbarium
Latin name: Agathosma betulina
Family: Rutaceae
Common Names: Bucco, true buchu
Parts used: Leaves
Texture: Though it's been dried it still has a bit of a rubbery texture, quite smooth
Color: green
Aroma: like camphor (which also smells like peppermint), quite strong but not as strong as when you first open that camphor bag.
Flavor: like camphor
Active Constituents: diosmin and hesperidin - anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and vasoprotective properties. The essential oil contains diosphenol as well flavonoids. Hoffman (2003) says Volatile oil (limonene, menthone, pulegone); flavonoids (rutin, diosmetin, diosmin, hesperidin, quercetin, derivatives)
Therapeutic Actions: Mills and Bones (2010) state urinary antiseptic and mild diuretic. Hoffman (2003) says diuretic, urinary antiseptic.
Indications: Ulbricht (2010) says this can be used for an (topically) insect repellant and internally for stomach issues, rheumatism, and bladder problems. Hoffman (2003) says infections of the genitourinary system – cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis.
Formulary:
Class lesson
Kidney and Bladder Support 2: 1-oz buchu Barosma betulina, 1-oz uva ursi Arctostaphylos uva ursi, 1-oz parsley Petroselinum crispum root, ½-oz ginger Zingiber officinale root or powder, 1-pt boiling water. Mix thoroughly, then use 1-oz and the boiling water to prepare an infusion. Cover, and let stand until cool and strain. Store up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Use three tablespoons four to five times daily.
Kidney Tonic: 1-oz buchu Barosma betulina. 1-oz uva ursiArctostaphylos uva ursi. ½-oz juniper Juniperus communis berries, Mix the herbs together. Use 1-T of the herbs to prepare one cup of infusion. Infuse the herbs in water, cover, cool, and strain. Store for no more than 24 hours in the refrigerator. Take four to six tablespoons three times a day.
Dosing for adults:
Ulbricht (2010) suggests dosage as follows:
1-2 g/capsule, 3 times a day
Fluid extract: .125-.5 fl oz.
Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons - 5-10 minutes in boiling hot water. 2-3 times a day
Tincture: 1-4 ml, 3 times a day or 10-20 drops in water 3 times a day after meals
Hoffman (2003, p. 524)
1:5 60% Tincture: 1-2ml, 3/day
Infusion: 1-2t to 1 c boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. 3/day
BHC
Infusion: 1-2g
1:5 60% Tincture: 2-4ml, 3/day
1:1 90% Fluid extract: .5-1.5ml, 3/day
Safety: Some may have allergic reactions. May increase risk of bleeding with blood thinners. May block calcium but this has not been studied well. Hoffman (2003) says it may irritate those with a history of kidney disease.
Lab, Media, etc:
On 16 March, 2019, I started 20g of herb at 1:5 60%. The menstruum was 105ml. Since I used 60% alcohol, there was no need to dilute. My tincture was ready on 30 March. I has a yield of 60ml and the scent was quite strong.
Research:
The Sunday independent stated "Experts say the use of buchu helps in managing a range of conditions including arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, eczema, common colds, digestive-related problems, skin conditions, joint pain, urinary tract infections, high cholesterol and hypertension." Finding actual research on this herb is proving difficult but I did find something in one of my books.
According to Heinerman (1996), a scientist names G. R. von Wielligh went to South Africa to investigate this herb. He published his findings in the Agricultural Journal of the University of South Africa. He said the natives successfully treated gout, stones, urination problems, prostate problems, and bladder infections by making a tea and drinking it throughout the day. The recipe was to put 1 ounce of leaves in 1 pint of boiling water, cover and simmer 3 minutes on low heat, then remove from heat and steep another 35 minutes. Strain and drink 2/3 of a cup, 3-4 times a day.
References:
(2017) Buchu - our own natural health treasure. The Sunday Independent; Johannesburg. Retrieved from https://proxy.lirn.net/MuseProxyID=mp01/MuseSessionID=0003klo/MuseProtocol=https/MuseHost=search.proquest.com/MusePath/africannews/docview/1905341462/fulltext/3BD64E1B383C4D3FPQ/1?accountid=158302
Class lesson. Retrieved from https://achs.instructure.com/courses/1159/pages/barosma-betulina-buchu-monograph?module_item_id=128136
Heinerman, J. (1996). Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs and Spices. New York, New York: Penguin Group. 100-101.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. P. 524
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2010). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Limited. 58, 92, 295-297.
Ulbricht, C. E. (2010). Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide: An Evidence-based Guide. Mosby, Inc. Elsevier, Inc. 168.
Family: Rutaceae
Common Names: Bucco, true buchu
Parts used: Leaves
Texture: Though it's been dried it still has a bit of a rubbery texture, quite smooth
Color: green
Aroma: like camphor (which also smells like peppermint), quite strong but not as strong as when you first open that camphor bag.
Flavor: like camphor
Active Constituents: diosmin and hesperidin - anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and vasoprotective properties. The essential oil contains diosphenol as well flavonoids. Hoffman (2003) says Volatile oil (limonene, menthone, pulegone); flavonoids (rutin, diosmetin, diosmin, hesperidin, quercetin, derivatives)
Therapeutic Actions: Mills and Bones (2010) state urinary antiseptic and mild diuretic. Hoffman (2003) says diuretic, urinary antiseptic.
Indications: Ulbricht (2010) says this can be used for an (topically) insect repellant and internally for stomach issues, rheumatism, and bladder problems. Hoffman (2003) says infections of the genitourinary system – cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis.
Formulary:
Class lesson
Kidney and Bladder Support 2: 1-oz buchu Barosma betulina, 1-oz uva ursi Arctostaphylos uva ursi, 1-oz parsley Petroselinum crispum root, ½-oz ginger Zingiber officinale root or powder, 1-pt boiling water. Mix thoroughly, then use 1-oz and the boiling water to prepare an infusion. Cover, and let stand until cool and strain. Store up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Use three tablespoons four to five times daily.
Kidney Tonic: 1-oz buchu Barosma betulina. 1-oz uva ursiArctostaphylos uva ursi. ½-oz juniper Juniperus communis berries, Mix the herbs together. Use 1-T of the herbs to prepare one cup of infusion. Infuse the herbs in water, cover, cool, and strain. Store for no more than 24 hours in the refrigerator. Take four to six tablespoons three times a day.
Dosing for adults:
Ulbricht (2010) suggests dosage as follows:
1-2 g/capsule, 3 times a day
Fluid extract: .125-.5 fl oz.
Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons - 5-10 minutes in boiling hot water. 2-3 times a day
Tincture: 1-4 ml, 3 times a day or 10-20 drops in water 3 times a day after meals
Hoffman (2003, p. 524)
1:5 60% Tincture: 1-2ml, 3/day
Infusion: 1-2t to 1 c boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. 3/day
BHC
Infusion: 1-2g
1:5 60% Tincture: 2-4ml, 3/day
1:1 90% Fluid extract: .5-1.5ml, 3/day
Safety: Some may have allergic reactions. May increase risk of bleeding with blood thinners. May block calcium but this has not been studied well. Hoffman (2003) says it may irritate those with a history of kidney disease.
Lab, Media, etc:
On 16 March, 2019, I started 20g of herb at 1:5 60%. The menstruum was 105ml. Since I used 60% alcohol, there was no need to dilute. My tincture was ready on 30 March. I has a yield of 60ml and the scent was quite strong.
Research:
The Sunday independent stated "Experts say the use of buchu helps in managing a range of conditions including arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, eczema, common colds, digestive-related problems, skin conditions, joint pain, urinary tract infections, high cholesterol and hypertension." Finding actual research on this herb is proving difficult but I did find something in one of my books.
According to Heinerman (1996), a scientist names G. R. von Wielligh went to South Africa to investigate this herb. He published his findings in the Agricultural Journal of the University of South Africa. He said the natives successfully treated gout, stones, urination problems, prostate problems, and bladder infections by making a tea and drinking it throughout the day. The recipe was to put 1 ounce of leaves in 1 pint of boiling water, cover and simmer 3 minutes on low heat, then remove from heat and steep another 35 minutes. Strain and drink 2/3 of a cup, 3-4 times a day.
References:
(2017) Buchu - our own natural health treasure. The Sunday Independent; Johannesburg. Retrieved from https://proxy.lirn.net/MuseProxyID=mp01/MuseSessionID=0003klo/MuseProtocol=https/MuseHost=search.proquest.com/MusePath/africannews/docview/1905341462/fulltext/3BD64E1B383C4D3FPQ/1?accountid=158302
Class lesson. Retrieved from https://achs.instructure.com/courses/1159/pages/barosma-betulina-buchu-monograph?module_item_id=128136
Heinerman, J. (1996). Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs and Spices. New York, New York: Penguin Group. 100-101.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. P. 524
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2010). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Limited. 58, 92, 295-297.
Ulbricht, C. E. (2010). Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide: An Evidence-based Guide. Mosby, Inc. Elsevier, Inc. 168.
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