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Dietary supplement

Buchu Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herb Pharm

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Buchu is a dietary supplement by Herb Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for urinary tract complaints, diuretic (increasing urine flow), bloating and fluid retention.Based on those ingredients, 481 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Buchu leaf (Agathosma betulina) extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Buchu by Herb Pharm

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product is a liquid extract of buchu leaf from Agathosma betulina. It's a single active ingredient—the whole herbal extract itself—suspended in certified organic cane alcohol and distilled water.

Buchu has been used traditionally as a diuretic and for urinary tract support, though the science on how well it works is limited.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: urinary tract system restoration and support.
  • We looked for evidence on: urinary tract health, urinary function, diuretic support.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

We don't hold effectiveness ratings for buchu in our data, so the evidence for how well it works isn't established here. If you're curious about what research says, talk it through with your pharmacist.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Buchu

How safe is it?

Some data gaps
Safety Information · database check
Some gaps

Safety data exists for these ingredients, but with some important gaps.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 0 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Buchu is generally used in food amounts without issue, but medicinal doses—especially the essential oil—lack strong safety data and can be irritating. The safety notes warn against use in pregnancy because buchu has traditionally been thought to affect the uterus.

For breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety information available, so it's best avoided while nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Buchu

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Buchu.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; lithium.
  • For scale: 482 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you use Buchu, check with your pharmacist if you take drugs that stress the liver, blood thinners or antiplatelet agents (like warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin, or heparin), or lithium. These are the medication types with documented Moderate-severity interactions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and some safety-information gaps remain.

Buchu is a traditional diuretic herb, but it comes with real medication interactions—liver damage risk, bleeding risk if you're on blood thinners, and lithium level changes if you take that. If you're on any prescription medications, check them against this product first.

Talk to your pharmacist before starting it.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 24, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Buchu, straight from the product label.

Brand Herb Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 090700000202
Net contents 1 fl. Oz.; 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 24, 2019
DSLD ID 203378
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Buchu by Herb Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Servings per container
42
UPC/BARCODE
090700000202
IngredientAmount% DV
Buchu leaf (Agathosma betulina) extract598 mg--

Other ingredients: certified organic Cane Alcohol, distilled Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use Shake well before using Add 1 full squeeze of the dropper bulb to 2 oz. of water or juice, 2 to 4 times per day. Best taken between meals.

Precautions

Caution: Seek expert medical advice before taking during pregnancy.

Keep out of the reach of children

Storage

Store away from heat & light

General

014

Formula

Agathosma betulina

Buchu liquid extract

General Statements

System restoration Urinary

Dry herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Formulation

Gluten-free

Certified organic by Organic Certifiers

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Buchu by Herb Pharm label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Buchu by Herb Pharm

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container42 Amounts shown are per serving.

Buchu leaf (Agathosma betulina) extract

Interacts with
481 drugs
598 mg per serving

Buchu is a fragrant South African shrub whose leaves are traditionally used for urinary and bladder complaints and as a diuretic. Solid human studies...

Buchu leaf (Agathosma betulina) extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Certified organic Cane Alcohol, Distilled Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Buchu by Herb Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Buchu?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
481Drugs
481 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Buchu with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Buchu leaf (Agathosma betulina) extract3 drug types · 481 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Buchu may have antiplatelet effects. Theoretically, buchu may enhance the effects of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs and increase the risk of bleeding in some patients. Some anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Buchu contains pulegone, a known hepatotoxin. There is some concern that buchu may adversely affect the liver, especially when the leaf is used in large doses or the oil is ingested. Theoretically, concomitant use with hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of liver damage. Some of these drugs include acarbose (Precose, Prandase), amiodarone (Cordarone), atorvastatin (Lipitor), azathioprine (Imuran), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cerivastatin (Baycol), diclofenac (Voltaren), felbamate (Felbatol), fenofibrate (Tricor), fluvastatin (Lescol), gemfibrozil (Lopid), isoniazid, itraconazole, (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), leflunomide (Arava), lovastatin (Mevacor), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), nevirapine (Viramune), niacin, nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin), pioglitazone (Actos), pravastatin (Pravachol), pyrazinamide, rifampin (Rifadin), ritonavir (Norvir), rosiglitazone (Avandia), simvastatin (Zocor), tacrine (Cognex), tamoxifen, terbinafine (Lamisil), valproic acid, and zileuton (Zyflo)

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Buchu is thought to have diuretic properties. Theoretically, buchu might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Buchu, from the product label.

Herb Pharm

See all Herb Pharm products
Name
Herb Pharm
City
Williams
State
OR
ZipCode
97544
Phone Number
800-348-4372
Web Address
www.herb-pharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Buchu by Herb Pharm: Common Questions

Does Buchu by Herb Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Buchu has a known interaction with 481 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Buchu contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Buchu if I'm pregnant?
No. Buchu is rated Likely Unsafe in pregnancy because it's traditionally thought to affect the uterus. Talk to your doctor before taking it if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Is Buchu safe while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to know either way. The rating is Possibly Safe, but you don't have enough data to be confident. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before using it while nursing.
What does Buchu do?
Buchu has been used traditionally as a diuretic—a substance that helps your body release water—and for urinary tract support. We don't have effectiveness ratings in our data for how well it works.
Why do I need to avoid it with blood thinners?
Buchu may have mild antiplatelet effects, meaning it can thin your blood a bit. If you're already on a blood thinner like warfarin or aspirin, taking buchu could push that effect too far and increase your bleeding risk.
What's in this liquid besides the buchu extract?
It's suspended in certified organic cane alcohol and distilled water. Those are the inactive ingredients—there are no other fillers.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Buchu label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Buchu's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 3 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Buchu 3 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
  3. Moolla A, Viljoen AM. 'Buchu' - Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata (Retaceae): a review. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;119(3):413-9.

See these in context on the Buchu monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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