Evidence supporting the use of: Buchu (unspecified)
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Buchu (Agathosma betulina and related species) has a long history of use in traditional South African herbal medicine, primarily for urinary tract and kidney conditions. There is, however, some record of its use for respiratory complaints, including coughs and colds, in indigenous medicine and among early European settlers in Southern Africa. The plant’s aromatic leaves were sometimes used in infusions or teas, and occasionally as inhalants, believed to help with respiratory discomfort. However, these uses were not as prominent or widespread as its use for urinary and digestive issues. There is minimal scientific research specifically investigating Buchu for dry cough, and no clinical trials support its efficacy for this indication. Most modern herbal references do not list Buchu as a remedy for dry cough, and authoritative monographs (such as those from the European Medicines Agency or Commission E) do not mention cough as an approved or traditional indication. Thus, while there is some minor traditional precedent, the evidence base is very limited and not supported by scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Buchu (unspecified)
Bladder InfectionBlood Poisoning
Colds (general)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Kidney Infection
Kidney Stones
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Skin (infections)
Urinary Tract Infections
Urination (burning or painful)
Wounds and Sores