What is Buchu and why it is so popular? In this post, we will let you know about the many benefits this plant has to offer. Read on!

Buchu or Agathosma betulina is a well-known South African plant that has a large number of medicinal uses. The leaves and the flowers are mainly used to extract oils that are used for medicinal purposes. The people of South Africa had been using the plant and reaping its benefits for centuries (1). The early Dutch settlers in Africa found another way of extracting the medicinal qualities of the plant. The Dutch used Buchu to make a brandy tincture that served many purposes.

One can identify a buchu plant by looking at it. In South Africa and parts of Namibia, one can notice the small, woody, green plant. The fruits of the plant are brown in color and the flowers are small and white. When the leaves are crushed, one can get a faint aroma of peppermint. The peppermint-like aroma of the buchu leaves only increases when the leaves are dried. So, by crushing a leaf of the plant, you can understand whether the plant is a buchu plant or not.

Agathosma betulina is one kind of Buchu which is better known as Round Leaf Buchu. A second kind of Buchu, which is lesser known, is Oval Leaf Buchu or True Buchu (Agothosma crenulata) (2). Both kinds of Buchu have similar properties and hence most of the benefits are also similar.

The main chemical components that lend the plant its medicinal properties are:

• Diosphenol
• Mucilage
• Diosmin
• Pugelone

The dried leaves and the small flowers of the plants are used to make teas, tinctures, and oils. These forms can be ingested or applied to our bodies.

Even though the plant has many health benefits, it is important to be cautious when using its products. Caution must be practiced because pugelone, also found in pennyroyal, is toxic. For pregnant or nursing women, it is best to avoid these products because of the pugelone that they contain. People with kidney and liver disorders should also be careful when using the products. Here are a few health benefits that you can enjoy by using Buchu products with caution:

1. Buchu As An Antiseptic:

Cuts and wounds, when left untreated, can easily become septic. It is very important to kill all the germs and bacteria that can cause sepsis. The anti-microbial qualities of the Buchu can be put to use to prevent sepsis (3). When you have a cut or a wound, you can use the oil to rub the area clean and kill the germs. The oil can also be used to treat urinary, colon, prostate and kidney infections. By ingesting the right amount of the oil, you can prevent your internal organs from becoming septic.

2. Buchu As An Anti-Rheumatic And Anti-Arthritic:

Rheumatism and arthritis can be punishing for those suffering from them. Anything that can offer relief is always welcome. If you are suffering from rheumatism and arthritis, you might choose to turn to Buchu. The Buchu plant can help reduce the pain by offering a numbing effect. It will not only provide relief but also reduce the severity of the problem by getting rid of the toxins that cause the pain. Uric acid can be drastically reduced once Buchu products are put to use.

3. Buchu As A Carminative:

At times, one can feel a lot of discomfort due to the accumulation of gas in the stomach and intestine. The accumulation of gas can not only be discomforting, but it can also be painful. Hence, it is important to relieve the gas from the digestive system. Buchu oil can help release the gas. Once you ingest the Buchu oil, your body will immediately feel the relief.

4. Buchu As A Digestive:

Certain microbes in the digestive tract can cause a lot of indigestion (4), which can eventually lead to a lot of health problems. Buchu essential oil kills the microbial organisms that cause indigestion. Apart from killing the bacteria, the oil encourages the secretion of digestive juices. This allows the digestive system to run smoothly.

5. Buchu As A Diuretic:

An excess of uric acid in your body can cause a large number of health problems ranging from arthritis to renal failure (5). Hence, it is very important to flush away the excess uric acid from one’s body. The Buchu oil not only gets rid of uric acid, but also clears away excess water, excess salt, and excess fat. It increases urination to ensure that all the waste is flushed away from the body and your urinary tract and kidneys remain infection-free and clean.

6. Buchu As An Insecticide:

There are many chemicals that can be used to get rid of insects, but these chemicals can cause health problems as well. So, it is important to find an organic alternative to all the chemicals that are used to drive away insects. Buchu has toxic properties that can be harnessed to kill, if not drive away, the insects. All you need is a few drops of the essential oil. You can choose to spray it around the house or simply leave a few drops in the insect-prone areas of the house. The sprays can even be used outdoors to drive away insects. So, you can use Buchu as a good alternative to harmful chemical insecticides (6).

7. Buchu As A Tonic:

Sometimes, people need health tonics to maintain their health. Buchu has been a tried and tested tonic for centuries. Buchu gets rid of harmful toxins and microbial bacteria. It also protects the body from frequent infections. Buchu has a regularizing effect on metabolism and helps to maintain a healthy appetite. So, the use of Buchu is sure to help you maintain your health.

Apart from these widely accepted benefits that one can reap from Buchu, there are many disputed benefits as well. For instance, some speculate that Buchu has ultraviolet ray blocking properties (7). In general, it can be used to offer relief from sprains and inflammations. Since many of the benefits are not confirmed, they cannot be recognized as benefits. But the essential healing properties are well-recognized and accepted.

If you are planning to use Buchu products, it is necessary to take precautions due to the toxic qualities of the plant. Once you encounter the benefits of Buchu you will never want to try other remedies.

Banner Image Credits: Derek Keats, CC-BY-2.0.

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by Naomi via STYLECRAZE