Agathosma ovata

Description

A shrub. It grows 50 cm tall. The flowers are dark pink. They have 5 petals and are star shaped.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

Leaves are brewed as tea.

Medicinal Uses

Two species of Agathosma endemic to the Western Cape mountains of South Africa and colloquially referred to as "buchu" are cultivated on a commercial basis for their essential oils, Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata. The leaves of Agathosma betulina have been used in traditional medicine. Bottled agathosma infusions were widely sold in English-speaking countries as "buchu tea" in the 1860s and 1870s. Although demand declined in the 1880s, consumption has continued to the present day; as of 2012, bottled infusions continue to be prepared from agathosma leaves. In addition, traditional buchu tinctures can be prepared by placing leaves and stalks into brandy. "Buchu vinegar", prepared by steeping the leaves and stalks in vinegar, also is a traditional remedy used for example in compresses and also taken internally. The essential oil is used in the manufacture of flavorings and perfume. There appear to be differences in people's perceptions of the smell, possibly determined genetically, rather than by familiarity or nurture. Some people find the smell to be repulsive, while most find it pleasantly herbal. This is not particularly unusual in reaction to the smells of many aromatic Karoo shrubs.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Lesotho, South Africa,

Cultivation

It can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Synonyms

References (1)

• Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 143

More from Rutaceae

Melicope lunu-ankenda

Sour-relish wood

Melicope rubra

Melicope ternata

Wharangi

Melicope triphylla

🌱

Metrodorea flavida

🌱

Microcitronella x sp

Faustrimedin