Agathosma betulina
Agathosma betulina | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Sapindales |
Family: | Rutaceae |
Genus: | Agathosma |
Species: | A. betulina
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Binomial name | |
Agathosma betulina |
Agathosma betulina (previously Barosma betulina) is a flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, native to the lower elevation mountains of western South Africa, where it occurs near streams in fynbos habitats.
Growth
It is an evergreen shrub growing to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall. The leaves are opposite, rounded, about 20 mm (0.79 in) long and broad, glossy, and fragrant.[1] The flowers are white or pale pink, with five petals; the fruit is a five-parted capsule which splits open to release the seeds.
Etymology
It is known by the common name round leaf buchu. The very similar plant
Uses
Wild plants of this species are still plentiful but are being harvested faster than they can reproduce. The threat of their becoming scarce has led to efforts to cultivate them. The essential oils and extracts of the leaves are used as flavoring for teas, candy, and a liquor known as buchu brandy in South Africa. The two primary chemical constituents of the oils of A. betulina are
Folk medicine
The plant has been used by the indigenous people of South Africa to as a folk remedy for various disorders, including urinary tract infections.[3] Dutch settlers in early times used Agathosma betulina commonly called buchu to make a brandy tincture. The tincture is still used today.[4][5]
References
- PMID 18725278.
- ISSN 2214-7861.
- ^ "BUCHU: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews". www.webmd.com. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- ^ National Center for Biotechnology Information Naturally occurring medicinal plants, herbs having hypotensive/antihypertensive potential
- ^ Simpson D. Buchu--South Africa's amazing herbal remedy. Scott Med J. 1998;43:189–9. Buchu--South Africa's amazing herbal remedy.
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2014) |
- A. crenulata and A. betulina
- ISBN 0-88192-743-0
- Lis-Balchin M., Hart S. and Simpson E. (2001). Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata, Rutaceae) essential oils: their pharmacological action on guinea-pig ileum and antimicrobial activity on microorganisms. J Pharm Pharmacol. 53(4):579-82.