Background: The plant originated in a limited region of southern Africa, where it was traditionally used by the Hottentots who called it Bookoo or Buku and used it for anointing their bodies.
Description: The official buchu leaves are derived from plants described as slender, smooth, perennial shrubs, having twiggy somewhat angular branches of a purplish-brown color, and reach a height of from 2 to 3 feet. The flowers are white or pinkish. The leaves are opposite or nearly so and are almost sessile, or, at best, having but a very short petiole. Five upright carpels, each containing a single oblong, shining black seed, comprise the fruit. The leaves are collected while the plant is flowering. The leaves are conspicuously marked with oil glands appearing as pellucid spots. Buchu leaves have a strong odor, resembling somewhat that of pennyroyal, and a corresponding taste. The underside of the leaves contain scattered glandular oil-points, when held up to the light translucent dots can be observed. The odor and taste are strongly aromatic, mint-like pungent and bitter.
Safety: There is no negative information available for this herb. No known medical conditions preclude the use of Buchu. Consult your health care provider before use.
