Agathosma betulina. previously Barosma betulina   Short leafed buchu  Family: Rutaceae       
B. crenulata- Oval Buchu  
B. serratifolia- Long Buchu   
The essential oil is used in the manufacture of flavorings and perfume.
PART USED: Leaves, collected at the flowering and fruiting stage.
TASTE: Strongly aromatic taste ODOR: Peppermint-like
ACTIONS
GROUP: The Urinary System- Antiseptics
1. Diuretic.[1,2,3]
2. Urinary antiseptic.[1,2,3]
3. Aromatic.
4. Diaphoretic.[3]
5. Stimulant.[3]
INDICATIONS- Primarily used as a urinary antiseptic.[3]
1. Cystitis..[1] Urethritis.[1] Bladder catarrh. Stoppage of urine. Prostatitis.[1]  Prostatic hypertrophy.  Spermatorrhea. -Taken as infusion. Inflammation of the bladder- taken as infusion.[3]
2. Diabetes. Leukorrhea- local use also.
3. Fevers.
SPECIFIC INDICATION: Acute catarrhal cystitis.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Genito-urinary conditions with dysuria, and pyuria (pus in urine), use with Marshmallow.
PREPARATIONS  3X /day
Dried leaves collected at the flowering and fruiting stage.
Dried leaves  1-2 g, or by infusion.[1,2]
Fluid extract  1:1 in 90% alcohol  0.3-1.2 ml.[1,2] 2-4 ml.[3]
Tincture 1:5 in 60%,[1,2]   90% alcohol   2-4 ml.[1,2,3]
Concentrated Buchu infusion BPC 1954 4-8 ml.[3]
Buchu Tincture BPC 1949 2-4 ml.[3]

ORIGIN:  South Africa.
DESCRIPTION: It is an evergreen shrub growing to 2 m tall. The leaves are opposite, rounded, about 20 mm long and broad. The flowers are white or pale pink, with five petals; the fruit is a five-parted capsule which splits open to release the seeds. The leaves vary in shape depending on the species from rhomboid to lanceolate. The leaves of B. betulina (short Buchu) are of a pale green colour, 12-15 mm, 12 mm or less wide, leathery and glossy, with a blunt, strongly-curved tip and finely-toothed margin, with round oil glands scattered through the leaf. Frequently the small flowers, with five whitish petals, and the brownish fruits may be found mixed with the drug.
References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Herbal Materia Medica Course Notes For Diploma of Naturopathy and Diploma of Herbalism Students by Lydia Mottram.
[3] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
Images
1. plantzafrica.com
 2. amazon.com
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally
Constituents
Volatile oil up to about 3% of very variable composition, containing diosphenol (Buchu camphor) around 12%,[1] 25-40%[3] however in long Buchu leaves there may be little or none. Pulegone, (+) up to 10%, and (-) isopulegone up to 3%- a little more of each in long Buchu. 8-mercapto-p-menthan-3-one (two polymers), responsible for the black current-type odour. 8-acetylthiomenthone. (+)-menthol (menthone),[3] isomentone, p-cymol, limonene,[3] terpineol.[2]
Flavonoid glycoside- diasmin, rutin, hesperidin, quercetin.[1]
Vitamins- some B group. Mucilage. Resin. Tannin.[1]
References
1. Didry, N. and Pinkas, M. (1982) Plant. Med. Phytother. 16 (4), 249
2. Encyclopedia of Comon Natural Ingredients used in Food drugs and Cosmetics, Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc (1980) NY.
3. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.

Research
The diuretic activity is due to disophenol.[1]
Even though used as a urinary antiseptic no in vitro effect against urinary pathogens has yet been observed.[2]
References
1. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
2. Didry, N. and Pinkas, M. (1982) Plant. Med. Phytother. 16 (4), 249