Butchu Betulina Oil

Buchu leaf oil is a clear yellow oil with a potent herbal aroma, derived from the leaves of the buchu plant (Agathosma betulina, formerly Barosma betulina). Native to South Africa, the buchus grow as shrubs with leathery leaves that have oil-glandular dots on the underside. The oily leaves can be steam-distilled to produce essential oil for fragrances, or used to make tinctures and flavourings. The herbs are particularly useful for black currant flavors. The taste of the leaves is believed to be green herbal, sweet berry, minty camphoraceous, tropical guava, apricot, and peach-like.

Buchu also has anti-infective, antifungal and antibacterial properties, enabling it to act as a natural antibiotic with no side effects. Buchu contains naturally occurring antioxidants and bioflavonoids such as Quercetin, Rutin, Hesperidin, Diosimin, Diosphenol and Vitamins A, B and E.  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. It is thought that the active chemicals in buchu may kill germs and also promote urine flow.

The therapeutic application of Buchu leaf extract ranges from treating cold, flu, and cough to treating urinary tract infections, rheumatism, and cholera. 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. Being an antipyretic, Buchu oil helps in reducing fever by profuse perspiration.

It fights indigestion, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices into the stomach, helps remove gases, relaxes abdominal region, relieves heaviness in the chest and abdominal area. The oil may also be used to treat diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea. Buchus are also natural deodorizers. The oil is extensively used in perfumes and men’s colognes.