-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Barosma spp. (Buchu)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Barosma betulina, B. crenulata, B. serratifolia

synonyms: buchu, bookoo, bucco, bucku, short buchu

part(s) used: leaf collected during the flowering stage

qualities: pungent, bitter, hot, dry

affinities: mucous membranes

actions: irritating, stimulating diuretic, very warming (Anderson Geller), antiseptic, tonic, carminative, aromatic stimulant

dosage:

» infusion: use 1 - 2 tsp. herb to 1 cup water; drink 1 cup three times daily

» tincture: 1 -3 ml.

therapy: chronic urinary tract infections, incontinence, chronic prostatitis, mucopurulent discharge, urge to urinate without success; gastrointestinal upset; always use with a demulcent herb

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d (Contraindicated in kidney inflammation) (McGuffin)

toxicity: 1

» contraindicated during acute genito-urinary tract inflammation (Brinker) due to the glycoside diosmin and essential oil components (diosphenol, pulegone) that can cause mucosal irritation (Wichtl)

» contraindicated during pregnancy (Brooks) probably due to the high content of the mucosal irritant and uterine stimulant volatile component pulegone (Brinker) found in the spurious Barosma crenulata (called oval buchu) that is often used as a substitute (Fluck et al, Kaiser & Schudel)

» contraindicated during chronic illness or conditions (Felter, p. 253)

» Small doses produce a sense of heat, spreading to the entire body; large doses produce oral burning, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, strangury, tachycardia, diaphoresis. Urinary output may increase with strong odor, dark color, and brown sedimentation. (Phillips, pp. 138-139)

constituents: volatile oils

footnotes

Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.

Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.

Fluck AAJ, Mitchell W, Perry HM. 1961. Composition of buchu leaf oil. J Sci. Food Agric., 12:290-2.

Kaiser R, Schudel P. 1975. Analysis of Buchu Leaf Oil. J Agric. Food Chem., 23:943-50.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Phillips, C.D. 1879. Materia Medica and Therapeutics: Vegetable Kingdom. New York: William Wood and Company.

Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.

tchell W, Perry HM. 1961. Composition of buchu leaf oil. J Sci. Food Agric., 12:290-2.

Kaiser R, Schudel P. 1975. Analysis of Buchu Leaf Oil. J Agric. Food Chem., 23:943-50.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Phillips, C.D. 1879. Materia Medica and Therapeutics: Vegetable Kingdom. New York: William Wood and Company.

Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.

al Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.