Native to South Africa, the word Buchu is from the Hottentot word for the plant, bookoo. The leaves are mixed with oil and used as a perfume in Africa. Buchu is part of the cultural heritage of the San and Khoi people.
In the western world, Buchu is well regarded for its medicinal properties of acting as a diuretic & urinary antiseptic. It is also used to treat acute catarrh; Cystitis, urethritis, and prostatis. Buchu is a low, white or pink-flowered shrub. Buchu leaves are mainly collected while the plant is flowering and fruiting, and are then dried and exported from Cape Town.
The bulk of the Buchu exported to London from South Africa eventually finds its way to America, where it is used in certain proprietary medicines.
To prevent the wholesale destruction of the wild Buchu plant, the South African government has mandated that no person is permitted to pick or buy Buchu without a valid license.
