Family Name: N.O. Rutaceae
Botanical Name(s): Barosma betulina
Popular Name(s): Barosma betulina Bartl, Diosma betulina.
Parts Used: Dried leaf and small flowers
Habitat: Buchu grows widely in Cape region of South Africa. It
is cultivated in other parts of Africa and in parts of South America.
Description: Buchu is an evergreen, perennial woody shrub which
grows to a height of 6 ft (2 m) with red-brown stems. The leaves have an
average length to breadth ratio of 1 to 95 and have rounded apex with
glabrous, prominent main and subsidiary veins. The leaves have many
raised oil glands on their surface which contains the volatile oil which
is the chief medicinal component of the plant.
Uses: Buchu is believed to have antiseptic properties and its
leaves are used in healing. It is used to cure irritable bladder and in
mild inflammations of the urinary tract and bladder infections.
Herbalists recommend buchu tea to accelerate healing of bruises. The tea
is also used as a vaginal douche to treat yeast infections.
