Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Buchu (Agathosma betulina), a plant native to South Africa, has a long history of traditional use as a remedy for urinary tract and bladder infections. The indigenous Khoisan people and later Dutch settlers utilized buchu leaves as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic. Traditionally, the leaves were brewed into teas or tinctures to alleviate symptoms such as painful urination, frequency, and inflammation associated with bladder infections.

Modern herbal medicine often includes buchu in formulations aimed at supporting urinary tract health. The rationale is partly based on the presence of volatile oils, such as diosphenol and pulegone, which are thought to have mild antiseptic properties. However, clinical research substantiating these effects in humans is minimal. A few in vitro studies suggest antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria, but these results have not been robustly replicated in clinical trials or translated into established medical use.

Overall, while there is ample historical and ethnobotanical evidence for the use of buchu in treating bladder infections, scientific support remains limited. Regulatory agencies such as the European Medicines Agency recognize its traditional use but caution that it should not replace standard medical care for urinary tract infections. Thus, the use of buchu for bladder infections is primarily justified by tradition, with only modest preclinical scientific evidence and no high-quality clinical trials to confirm its efficacy.

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