Evidence supporting the use of: Short Buchu
For the body system: Bladder
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Buchu (Agathosma betulina), often referred to as "Short Buchu," has a long history of traditional use in South African herbal medicine, particularly for urinary tract and bladder-related ailments. Indigenous people and later European settlers used buchu leaves as a remedy for urinary tract infections, cystitis, and general bladder health, often preparing it as a tea or tincture. Historical texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries document buchu's popularity as a diuretic and urinary tract tonic.
However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. Some laboratory studies have shown that buchu has mild diuretic and antimicrobial properties, but these findings are mostly derived from in vitro experiments or animal models. There is a lack of high-quality clinical trials in humans to clearly demonstrate efficacy for supporting bladder health or treating urinary tract conditions. Safety data are also limited, although traditional use has indicated it is generally well tolerated in moderate amounts.
In summary, while Short Buchu is widely used in traditional medicine for bladder support, robust scientific evidence is lacking. Its use is best described as traditional, and while it is considered possibly helpful based on historical practices and preliminary pharmacological studies, the strength of evidence remains modest.
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dandelion
fu ling
gokhru
goldenseal
horseradish
horsetail
lophatherum leaf
lovage
mannitol
marshmallow
methenamine
nettle
parsley
pear
plantain
pumpkin
pygeum
saw palmetto
water
sarsaparilla
squawvine
uva ursi
chickweed
mugwort
Indian bael
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hedychium spicatum
punarnava
goldenrod
yarrow
sodium salt
juniper berries
dodder
cornsilk
buchu
birch
couch grass
queen of the meadow
guelder rose
hydrangea
coix
polyporus
cleavers
shepherd's purse
wood betony
white oak
herbal blend (proprietary)
gravel root
Akebia
Arbutin
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Alchornea
Alchemilla
Aletris
Aucubin
Anserina
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Alisma
Abuta
Baliospermum
bergenin
Blepharis
Balsam
Bistort
Brazilian peppertree
Bael
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berry
Black Poplar
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Bassia scoparia
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Carrapicho
Cucurbita
Cnidium
Cornflower
Common Thatching grass
Chanca Piedra
Coconut Water
Cedar
Corktree
Cubeb
Cranesbill
Crinum latifolium
Costus
Dianthus
Didymocarpus
DL-Methionine
Dwarf Nettle
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Erigeron
Euryale seed
Echinodorus
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Fungus
Fringetree
Fleabane
Fringed Pink
Fireweed
Goldthread
Gnaphalium
Giant Blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Glycosaminoglycans
Golden Ragwort
Golden Shower Tree
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heather
Hygrophila
Indian Sarsparilla
Isothiocyanates
Java Tea
Joe-Pye
Japecanga
Jatoba
Kigelia africana
Kochia
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Knotgrass
Lindera
Long Buchu
Lycopodium
Lygodium
Labrador Tea
Leptospermum scoparium
Lysimachia
Longleaf buchu
Mallow
Mucilage
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Madder
Maidenhair Fern
Mondo Grass
Mannose
Meadowsweet
Manzanita
Maytenus ilicifolia
Nigella Seed
Nasturtium
Ocotillo
Operculina turpethum
Ovate Buchu
Phellodendron
Phyllanthus
Phragmites
Plantago
Pulsatilla
Phlomis umbrosa
Pellitory
Pyrrosia
Pareira
Pedalium
Pipsissewa
Pyrola
Palo Azul
Potentilla
Rubus
Rupturewort
Rosa laevigata
Rhus glabra
Sargentodoxa
Speedwell
Sausage Tree
Silverweed
Smartweed
Soft rush
Sensitive Plant
Sanguisorba
Sweet Woodruff
Spiny Restharrow
Stereospermum
Scirpus
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stone Root
Sparganium
Sassafras
Taraxacin
Turtle Head
Tiger Nut
Toadflax
Taraxacum
Trailing Arbutus
Taraxol
Varuna
Viburnum
Veronica
White Dead Nettle Flower
Wax Gourd
White Poplar
Yerba Mansa
Yin Chen
Zedoary