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Dietary supplement

Buchu Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbal Terra

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

Buchu is a dietary supplement by Herbal Terra 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 wildcrafted Buchu (Agathosma betulina) dried leaf liquid extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Buchu by Herbal Terra

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 contains one active ingredient: wildcrafted buchu leaf liquid extract. Buchu is a traditional herb used for its diuretic and urinary tract support properties.

The liquid extract is prepared from the dried leaves of Agathosma betulina. The only other ingredient listed is menstruum, a neutral liquid used to extract and preserve the herb.

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

This is a single-ingredient Buchu product and its label doesn't state a use — see Buchu's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

We hold no effectiveness ratings in our data for buchu, so we cannot speak to how well it works for any condition. If you're considering it for a specific purpose, your pharmacist or doctor can help you weigh what traditional use suggests against what clinical evidence shows.

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 and is generally well tolerated at those levels, but medicinal doses lack strong safety data. The essential oil can be irritating.

During pregnancy, buchu is rated likely unsafe due to traditional concern that it may affect the uterus — the safety data advises against it. For breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety information to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before use.

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 taking buchu, double-check with your pharmacist if you take any drugs that damage the liver, blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin or aspirin, or lithium. These interactions are rated Moderate — your liver function and bleeding risk could be affected.

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 may help with urinary tract health, but it's not for everyone. If you take blood thinners, medications that strain your liver, or lithium, you need to check with your pharmacist first.

Pregnant people should avoid it, and those breastfeeding should ask before starting.

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 25, 2020.

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 Herbal Terra
Barcode (UPC) 7429523174136
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2020
DSLD ID 234168
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Sugar 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 Herbal Terra, 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:
1 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
7429523174136
IngredientAmount% DV
wildcrafted Buchu (Agathosma betulina) dried leaf liquid extract970 mg--

Other ingredients: Menstruum

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.
Formulation

Origin of plant material: South Africa.

Manufactured in the USA in an FDA registered facility

Sugar free

Dried herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3 Expertly extracted Laboratory tested 330 mg/1 mL Premium product Super concentrated liquid herbal extract

Non GMO

No artificial ingredients, GMO, gluten, color additives, fillers, preservatives or binders. Natural Gluten Free

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Direction Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz of juice or water up to 4 times a day. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking this or any other herbal supplements.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Precautions

Caution May have contraindications.

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Formula

Agathosma betulina

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Made in USA Made in an FDA registered facility Natural Gluten Free

See for yourself

Buchu by Herbal Terra label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Buchu by Herbal Terra

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

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

970 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...

Wildcrafted Buchu (Agathosma betulina) dried leaf liquid extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Menstruum. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Buchu by Herbal Terra 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.

wildcrafted Buchu (Agathosma betulina) dried leaf liquid 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.

Herbal Terra

See all Herbal Terra products
Name
Herbal Terra
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Buchu by Herbal Terra: Common Questions

Does Buchu by Herbal Terra 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.
Is buchu safe in pregnancy?
No. Buchu is rated likely unsafe in pregnancy because it has traditionally been thought to affect the uterus. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, avoid it and talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can I take buchu while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information available to know whether buchu is safe during breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to decide what's right for you and your baby.
What is buchu used for?
Buchu is a traditional herb known for its diuretic properties — it helps your body shed water. It's also traditionally used to support urinary tract health, though we don't hold effectiveness ratings for it in our data.
Is the essential oil different from this extract?
Yes. This product is a liquid extract from the dried leaves. The essential oil is more concentrated and is more likely to be irritating. Medicinal doses of buchu in any form lack strong safety data.
Will buchu thin my blood?
Buchu may have antiplatelet effects, which means it could boost blood-thinning drugs and raise bleeding risk. If you take aspirin, warfarin, or similar medications, check with your pharmacist before starting buchu.
Does this product have fillers?
The only other ingredient is menstruum, which is the liquid used to extract and preserve the buchu leaf. There are no fillers like cellulose or magnesium stearate listed.

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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