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Dietary supplement

Buchu Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalist & Alchemist

Buchu label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Buchu against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Buchu is a dietary supplement by Herbalist & Alchemist 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 extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

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: buchu leaf extract, made from the buchu plant. Buchu has been used traditionally as a diuretic and for urinary tract support.

The liquid is preserved in ethyl alcohol and distilled water as inactive ingredients.

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: supports healthy urinary tract function.
  • We looked for evidence on: urinary tract infection, cystitis, urinary health, bladder health.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

We don't hold effectiveness ratings for buchu in our data, so we can't tell you whether the evidence supports its use for any particular condition based on what we have on file.

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, but medicinal doses don't have strong safety data backing them, and the essential oil form may irritate. The safety information we hold advises against buchu during pregnancy because it's traditionally thought to affect the uterus.

For breastfeeding, there isn't enough data to know either way — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

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 take this buchu liquid, double-check any medications that stress the liver, blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin), and lithium. These are the medication types with documented moderate-severity interactions.

Use the search tool on this page to verify your specific prescriptions.

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 be worth considering if you're interested in traditional herbal support, but it's not a casual add-on if you take blood thinners, liver-stress medications, or lithium. Check your exact medications with our tool before starting, and talk with your pharmacist if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

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 May 24, 2018.

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 Herbalist & Alchemist
Barcode (UPC) 667056103941
Net contents 2 fl. Oz.; 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2018
DSLD ID 173767
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Organic
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 Herbalist & Alchemist, 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:
1.5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 mL
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
667056103941
IngredientAmount% DV
Buchu leaf extract2 mL--

Other ingredients: Ethyl 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.
Formula

Agathosma betulina

OK

General Statements

Supports healthy urinary tract function

Botanical preparation ratio 1:4

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 30-40 drops (1.5-2 mL) in juice or water. Take 3 times per day. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Contraindications: Do no use during pregnancy unless otherwise directed by a qualified expert.

Keep out of children's reach

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.

General

NO. BUC-2 1728TU

Seals/Symbols

OK

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist label

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

Buchu label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Serving size1.5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Buchu leaf extract

Interacts with
481 drugs
2 mL 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 extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist 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

Buchu leaf extract 481

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Buchu interact with 481 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Buchu interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Buchu leaf extract

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 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
Buchu leaf extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Herbalist & Alchemist

See all Herbalist & Alchemist products
Name
Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc.
City
Washington
State
NJ
ZipCode
07882
Phone Number
800-611-8235
Web Address
www.herbalist-alchemist.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist: Common Questions

Does Buchu by Herbalist & Alchemist 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 to take while I'm pregnant?
No — the safety data we hold rates buchu as likely unsafe in pregnancy because it's traditionally thought to affect the uterus. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering it.
Can I take buchu while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to know either way. We'd recommend talking with your doctor or pharmacist to weigh the risks and benefits for your situation.
What is buchu used for?
Buchu has been used traditionally as a diuretic and for urinary tract support, though we don't hold effectiveness ratings showing whether the evidence backs these uses.
Why does buchu interact with blood thinners?
Buchu is thought to have antiplatelet effects — meaning it can thin your blood. If you're already on a blood thinner like warfarin or aspirin, combining them could raise your bleeding risk.
What's in this liquid besides the active ingredient?
The buchu leaf extract is preserved in ethyl alcohol and distilled water — those are the inactive ingredients used to keep the liquid stable.

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
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Buchu’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Buchu

Interacts with 481 drugs

Buchu is a fragrant South African shrub whose leaves are traditionally used for urinary and bladder complaints and as a diuretic. Solid human studies are lacking, so its benefits are largely...

Read the full Buchu monograph →
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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