Bucco, a medicinal plant that is not so well known in this country but has been used in Africa for centuries, enables a natural and at the same time effective treatment of urinary tract infections. Bucco could also help against diabetes and other ailments.
Bucco (Agathosma betulina), also known as Bucho, is an evergreen medicinal plant that can grow to a height of two meters and is native to parts of South Africa, where it has long been used to treat various health conditions. In the case of urinary tract infections in particular, the therapeutic potential seems to be quite convincing.
Traditional use of bucco
In a study, experts report that Bucco is traditionally used in the treatment of cholera, indigestion, constipation, prostatitis and rheumatism, for example.
In addition, it is possible with the help of the medicinal plant to relieve fever, respiratory and urinary tract infections, to disinfect wounds and to inhibit menstrual cramps.
Bucco is also effective against diabetes
Another piece of research evaluating bucco’s medicinal potential also highlights its traditional use to treat urinary tract infections and related conditions. The experts involved also point to various other promising effects.
For example, recent in vitro studies with a commercial aqueous buchu extract have shown that ingestion allows for complete normalization of glucose levels in diabetic rats.
According to the team, when this buchu extract was given to rats eating a particularly high-fat diet, it was associated with less weight gain, less so-called intraperitoneal fat gain, and even lowering elevated blood pressure to normal levels.
Effective treatment of urinary tract infections
A third independent study examined how certain bioactive components of various plants affect the treatment of UTIs, including buchu.
The beneficial effect on urinary tract infections is therefore presumably due to the phytochemical compounds contained, which prevent binding, accumulation and growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
Bucco as an effective treatment option
Taken together, the results suggest that Bucco offers a natural yet highly effective treatment option, particularly for UTIs, which could also help reduce the use of antibiotics. However, more randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled studies are needed to determine Bucco’s true therapeutic potential. (as)
