Buchu properties / buchu contraindications / buchu benefits / buchu properties Do you want to know about the buchu plant benefits and contraindications? Here we detail these aspects, but first we will analyze the plant from the botanical point of view.
Buchu is an evergreen, aromatic, multi-stemmed, woody shrub that normally grows to around 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall. The plant is especially adapted to dry conditions and can be found on sunny slopes, on humid lower and medium slopes, as well as in the valley.
The grass is grown from cuttings in late summer and requires lime-free, moisture-resistant but well-drained soil in a sunny position. Some plant species are well adapted to growing in more acidic or alkaline pH ranges. The branches are many, stiff and angular, with smooth red-brown to violet-brown barks. The twigs are covered with submerged sebaceous glands.
The buchu plant is taken as a stimulant, diuretic and to relieve digestive discomfort. In Western herbal medicine, it is prized as a urinary antiseptic and diuretic, and is used specifically to treat cystitis and other urinary tract infections. Buchu has a very distinctive aroma and flavor, reminiscent of blackcurrant, but some describe it as a cross between rosemary and mint. It is grown commercially and is used to enhance the blackcurrant flavor of currant.
The essential oil is not only used for medicinal purposes, but also as a flavor fixative in the food industry. The high commercial value of the product has led to the domestication and commercial cultivation of the species.
Leaves alternate to opposite, 14-25 mm long and 6-14 mm broad, broadly elliptic to nearly round (average length:breadth ratio 1.95), with rounded and recurved apex; glabrous with prominent main and subsidiary veins on abaxial surface; stippled gland below; margin serrated with a sebaceous gland at the base of each dentate. The leaves have a strongly aromatic flavor and a minty odor. The leaves are harvested when the plant flowers or bears fruit in summer. They are covered in sebaceous glands that give them an oily and wet appearance.
The star-shaped flowers are produced in terminal clusters about 0.7-2 cm in diameter with five white, pink, red or purple petals. Flowering normally takes place from June to November. The fertile flowers are followed by a five-part brownish capsule that splits open to release the seeds.
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Buchu health benefits
Medicinally, buchu has a very long and well-defined history.
It is suitable for use with children and the elderly, mainly due to its mild effects.
It was used in the treatment of urinary problems in Africa before the Europeans arrived there.
The use of buchu can be documented as a treatment for kidney and bladder problems for over three centuries, and evidence suggests that it may have been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years.buchu benefits and contraindications
Dutch Afrikaners adopted it for the treatment of kidney stones, arthritis, anger and muscular pains, as well as urinary tract infections (UTIs)).
There were claims that it also had mild pain-relieving properties, but these have not been verified in laboratory tests.
The Khoikhoi or Khoi, a people native to southwestern Africa, developed an alcoholic drink known as buchu brandy, which is still manufactured and distributed today. This brandy was used medicinally by physicians for generations, but has now been discontinued. It is still widely used in home remedies.
Buchu is a common ingredient in many well-known prescription pain medications.
In the United States, the plant itself is not recognized as a medicinal herb, but the oils extracted from it are used in commercial medicines.
Buchu was first introduced as a patent medicine in New York 135 years ago, and although it is no longer sold in the United States, it is widely available in Europe.buchu benefits and contraindications
According to reports, this plant acts as a natural diuretic mild, and clinical tests have shown these properties to be quite mild, making it effective for minor treatments, but requiring heavier doses for more severe applications.
Buchu is also being investigated for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure congenital Today’s research shows promise, but no definitive scientific statistics are yet available.
Among many local African cultures, an infusion of the leaves has been used as an herbal treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
It has also been adopted for the same use in many other countries and is widely available in holistic and alternative health stores.
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Dosage and administration
A tea can be made by infusing buchu leaves into hot liquids. Similarly, the crushed leaves can be added to thin soups and broths, then strained before serving. Do not boil the leaves. Let’s see, next, the contraindications of buchu
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Buchu contraindications
There are few, if any, side effects associated with the use of buchu itself. Ingestion of large amounts could cause diarrhoea, but this is not justified.
This herb is not recommended during pregnancy because there appears to be a small chance that it may cause a miscarriage. In addition, it can cause stomach and kidney irritation.
It can also cause increased menstrual flow. Do not use Buchu 2 weeks before or after the scheduled surgery.
The plant is diuretic and therefore can deplete the potassium reserve in the body. When buchu is used medicinally, it is advisable to supplement the diet with a food rich in potassiumlike bananas.
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Also know
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