Other names: Bookoo, Bucco, Buccu, Bucku, Bukku, Diosma, Zápašnice Březová, Barozma, Birkenblättriger Bukkostrauch, Birch-leaved Buchu

Buchu is native to South Africa. It contains limonene, menthone, diosmin, hesperidin, rutin and mucilage flavonoids, diosphenol, and pulegone. The intake of pulegone is contraindicated during pregnancy. Apart from its traditional use,  it entered into the fragrance and flavor industries due to its sulfur-containing compounds. It is used to enhance fruit flavors and fragrances and boost blackcurrant-like flavors.

Buchu may be beneficial as a diuretic, and for chronic urinary tract infections, including urethritis and pyelonephritis. It may be beneficial for prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, high blood pressure, fever, cough, cold, stomach ulcers, cholera, IBS, arthritis, cellulite, nausea and diarrhea, and sexually transmitted diseases. Applied to the skin, it may be beneficial as an insect repellent or deodorant, and for skin infections.

Compliance: food supplement, cosmetics ingredient

Compliance varies from country to country. There is no harmonized botanical list of allowed botanicals in food or food supplements for all EU countries. Compliance for cosmetic ingredients is harmonized in EU.

Please check your local regulation.