Other Names: Round Leaf Buchu • Bookoo • Barosma • Bucco
✨ Energetic & Astrological Profile
Element: Air
Phase of the Moon: Waxing Moon
Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius. Brings harmony to Scorpio and Aries.
Planets: Mercury, Uranus
Tarot Cards:
🌬 Ace of Swords – mental clarity, sharp perception
💧 Page of Cups – emotional cleansing
🔥 The Chariot – forward movement and drive
🌿 Justice – detox, restoration of balance
🌍 Habitat & Sensory Nature
Native to the mountainous regions of the Western Cape in South Africa, buchu thrives in sun-drenched, rocky fynbos terrain. Traditionally gathered by the Khoisan people, this aromatic herb carries generations of healing in every leaf.
Flavour: Sharp, minty, slightly bitter with blackcurrant notes
Temperature: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Tissue State Support: Damp stagnation, coldness, mild inflammation
🧬 Phytochemistry & Herbal Actions
Constituents:
- Volatile oils (diosphenol, limonene, pulegone)
- Flavonoids (quercetin, rutin)
- Mucilage
- Tannins
Primary Actions:
Diuretic • Antiseptic • Anti-inflammatory • Carminative • Mild stimulant • Urinary tonic • Digestive aid
💊 Medicinal Benefits
Buchu is a fierce little leaf with a whole lot of detox power. She’s been used for centuries to support urinary health, shift stagnation, and purify the system from the inside out.
🌿 Urinary Tract Health
- Traditionally used for UTIs, cystitis, and kidney inflammation
- Acts as a urinary antiseptic while promoting elimination
- Often blended with corn silk or uva ursi for full-spectrum bladder support
🌿 Digestive Support
- Stimulates digestion and reduces bloating
- Eases griping pains and intestinal fermentation (you know... when your gut’s having a meltdown)
🌿 Detox & Lymphatic Support
- Encourages gentle lymph movement and toxin release
- Useful during detox protocols or post-antibiotic recovery
I like to call buchu the "energetic broom" of the lower body — sweeping away old waste, fluid retention, and emotional gunk you didn’t even know you were carrying.
🧘 Emotional & Energetic Benefits
This is an herb of clear boundaries and emotional release.
Feeling weighed down by emotional clutter? Buchu will remind you to flush that sh*t — physically and energetically.
- Helps with letting go of stagnant feelings held in the hips and lower abdomen
- Excellent for root chakra clearing and sacral restoration
- Often chosen by those navigating emotional tension tied to shame, fear, or grief
🧒 Child-Friendly Use
⚠ Not typically recommended for children under 12 unless advised by a clinical herbalist
⚠ The essential oils can be too stimulating for young kidneys and livers
⚠️ Contraindications
⚠ Avoid during pregnancy — its stimulating nature may provoke uterine activity
⚠ Use caution with kidney disease or inflammation
⚠ High doses may irritate the stomach or urinary tract
🧪 Dosage & Preparation
🌼 Tea: 1 tsp dried leaves per cup, steep 10–12 min, up to 2x daily
🌼 Tincture: 10–30 drops of 1:5 extract in 25% alcohol, up to 3x daily
🌼 Topical: Infused into washes or compresses for skin inflammation or minor infections
🛒 Shop This Herb: Coming soon – tinctures and cleansing blends featuring wild-harvested buchu for urinary, digestive, and energetic renewal. Sign up for our newsletter to be first in line.
🔮 Daz’s Diagnosis
Buchu isn’t here to baby you. She shows up with a broom, a bucket, and a “let’s clean house” attitude. Think of her like that no-nonsense aunty who tells you the truth you didn’t ask for — and somehow still leaves you feeling 10 pounds lighter.
She’s bold, aromatic, and knows how to get things flowing, whether it’s through your kidneys or your emotional pipes. When you need to release, reset, and reconnect to your body — especially that root-and-womb wisdom — buchu shows up and gets it done.
She doesn’t coddle. She clears.
And we love her for it.
Disclaimer: The information shared in these plant profiles is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The uses and properties described are based on traditional knowledge, folk practices, and historical sources. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner or clinical herbalist before using any herbs, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.
