What is buchu oil used for?

Buchu is used to disinfect the urinary tract during infections of the bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis), prostate (prostatitis), or kidney (pyelonephritis). It is also used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. In manufacturing, the oil from buchu is used to give a fruit flavor (often black currant) to foods.

Is buchu oil an essential oil?

Buchu Essential Oil (Agathosma betulina) Buchu is a powerful plant that has an intoxicating essential oil with interesting properties. Thick, red and pungent – slightly minty with a black currant characteristic.

Is buchu an antiviral?

The combination of these plants give an additive anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, analgesic, antibacterial and antiviral effect [54, 55].

What are the benefits of essential oils?

Health benefits of essential oils

  • Boost mood.
  • Improve job performance through reduced stress and increased attentiveness.
  • Improve sleep.
  • Kill bacteria, funguses and viruses.
  • Reduce anxiety and pain.
  • Reduce inflammation.
  • Reduce nausea.
  • Relieve headaches.

What does buchu smell like?

‘ The leaves have a rue-like smell, and are used by the natives to perfume their bodies. Buchu leaves are collected while the plant is flowering and fruiting, and are then dried and exported from Cape Town. The leaves have a strongly aromatic taste and a peppermint-like odour.

Does buchu help with weight loss?

Buchu decreases general inflammation: General inflammation leads to weight gain because the body requires extra lipids to fight off the inflammation. By switching off the inflammation this leads to the adipose tissue being mobilised, and eventual weight loss.

Is buchu good for skin?

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.

Is buchu good for high blood pressure?

The bloating associated with congestive heart failure, high blood pressure or menstruation can be relieved by sipping on buchu leaf tea. In fact, buchu is an ingredient in both Fluidex and Odrinil, two prescription medicines taken for premenstrual bloating.

How is buchu taken?

Where does buchu grow in South Africa?

Buchu is endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape in South Africa and is found from Clanwilliam in the north, to Stanford in the south, and east as far as the Outeniqua mountains, in the so-called “fynbos” strip.

What can you do with Buchu essential oil?

Being toxic in nature, Buchu Essential Oil kills insects and acts as an insecticide. It can be effectively applied to keep away parasites and other insects such as flies, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and bed-bugs. This essential oil can be used to treat cystitis, excess cellulite, and bladder ailments.

What are the benefits of Buchu leaf extract?

Though there are numerous buchu oil benefits, the important ones include: 1. Treats cold, cough, and flu For centuries, the San people used buchu oil to cure cough, cold, and flu. People considered it as one of the active treatments. In fact, in olden times, people used to drink leaf extracts as a tonic to treat cold at home.

Why is Buchu so important in South Africa?

In the San and Khoi culture of South Africa, Buchu’s role as tonic and medicine is of vital importance. Though it is a well-known herb since the olden days, it has gained immense popularity in modern times as well. The essential oil obtained from Buchu leaves holds an industrial and medicinal significance.

What did the San people use Buchu oil for?

For centuries, the San people used buchu oil to cure cough, cold, and flu. People considered it as one of the active treatments. In fact, in olden times, people used to drink leaf extracts as a tonic to treat cold at home. Research claims that the buchu essential oil shows antipyretic and antimicrobial activity.