Medicinal uses:

• General health tonic
• Mild urinary antiseptic - treats mild cystitis and prostatitis
• Appetite stimulant (in small doses)
• Aids digestion
• Antispasmodic
• Diuretic - treats water retention
• Stimulant - treats hangovers
• Also used to treat colds and flu, coughs, rheumatism and gout

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Buchu is also a source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, iron, copper, zinc and boron.

How it is used:
Buchu can be taken orally in the form of an infusion or as a tincture in brandy ("boegoebrandewyn"). The leaves can also be chewed fresh or dried.

Interesting facts:
Buchu is indigenous to South Africa and is believed to have been the country's first export product. Currently, about 90% of our buchu is exported.

Medicinal use of buchu dates back to the Khoisan people. These plants have also traditionally been used as a fragrance in perfume.

Buchu has a distinctive blackcurrant flavour.

Caution:
As buchu has a mild laxative effect, the herb should not be taken in excess.

The use of A. betulina is generally preferred, as A. crenulata contains high levels of pulegone - a potentially toxic substance.

References:
- People's Plants - A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa by Prof Ben-Erik van Wyk and Dr Nigel Gericke.
- www.buchusa.co.za
 

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