Buchu Essential Oil: 7 Uses & Benefits

Buchu essential oil comes from both the Round Leaf Buchu and the Oval Leaf Buchu, native to South Africa. Both varieties are similar in their uses and benefits. Buchu oil has natural antiseptic, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, insecticide and tonic properties. The oil is powerful and is generally not used in aromatherapy. It's very important to be cautious when using buchu oil for internal or external purposes.

Buchu Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

1. Works as an Antiseptic

Buchu essential oil has powerful antiseptic properties that can help prevent cuts and wounds from becoming infected. The oil also works as an antiseptic for urinary system problems, such as urinary bladder infections and urinary tract infections, as well as infections in the colon, prostate and kidneys. (1)

2. Helps Relieve Arthritis Pain

The anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties of buchu essential oil can help combat painful rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The oil works by removing toxins from the body, including uric acid, to help relieve pain.

3. Works as a Tonic

While buchu essential oil is toxic by nature, it can also work as an overall health tonic. Buchu oil has the ability to protect the body from infections and normalize the rate of metabolism, which promotes proper body functioning. (2)

4. Helps Expel Excess Gas

Buchu essential oil can help provide relief from digestive problems by aiding in the removal of excess gas from the intestines. The oil can help relieve feelings of bloating, nausea, indigestion, stomachache flatulence and gas pains.

5. Aids in Digestion

Buchu essential oil naturally aids in the digestive process by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices into the stomach, which promotes healthy digestion. The oil also helps fight indigestion by killing harmful microbes and bacteria that can cause health problems.

6. Works as a Diuretic

The natural diuretic properties of buchu oil make it a natural detox agent. Buchu oil promotes the removal of harmful and unwanted substance sin the body, such as uric acid, excess salt, excess water and fat by increasing urination. Buchu oil's diuretic properteis can also help keep the kidneys and urinary tracts clean and infection-free. (3)

7. Works as an Insecticide

Buchu oil's toxic nature comes in handy when needing to kill bugs and insects. The oil can be used as a natural insecticide to help keep away parasites and other insects, including flies, mosquitoes, fleas, lice and bed bugs. Caution: Buchu essential oil is highly toxic by nature. It should never be used during pregnancy and it is not typically used in aromatherapy, due to its strong smell. Buchu oil should only be used in small, mild doses under the care of an expert. When used in tea form, buchu oil can help with infections, digestive problems, coughs, cold and pain caused by rheumatism.