BUCHU 263 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. About 15 mm. long, varying between oval and 

 obovate, yellowish-green, apex obtuse, margin crenate or serrate with 

 a gland at the base of each tooth, base more or less wedge-shaped; 

 coriaceous, both surfaces beset with numerous slight projections; 

 odor strong and characteristic; taste somewhat mint-like, pungent 

 and bitterish. B. serratifolia (very 'narrow, linear-lanceolate) con- 

 stitute the "long buchu" of commerce. The long buchu (off. in 

 U.S.P. 1890) contains less of the volatile oil. Transverse sections 

 show a subcuticular layer of thickened cells, rich in mucilage, and 

 containing sphaero-crystals. Both kinds usually require careful garb- 

 ling, as they are often mixed with branchlets, fragments of capsules, 

 and with leaves of allied species. The long buchu is sometimes 



FIG. 146. Buchu Leaves and Adulterant. A, Leaf of Empleurum serrulatum. B, Leaf of Barosma 

 betulina (enlarged). C, Leaf of Barosma seratifolia. D, Leaf of Barosma crenulata. 



mixed with the leaves of Empleurum serrulatum, but these are still 

 narrower, often longer, and terminate in an acute point, without an 

 oil duct. 

 Powder, Characteristic elements: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



CONSTITUENTS. Volatile oil is contained in large circular cells just be- 

 neath the epidermis of the under surface of the leaf; the short buchu 

 yields the greater per cent, (i to 1.56 per cent.). On exposure to 

 cold it separates out barosma camphor, which existed in the oil dis- 

 solved in a hydrocarbon. The upper surface of the leaves swells up 

 in water, due to a layer of mucilage cells just beneath the surface. 

 The bitter principle is rutin ; resin is also present. 



ACTION AND USES. A mild diuretic in disorders of the urinogenital organs, 

 its action depending upon the volatile oil. In Cape Colony the 

 leaves are employed as a stimulant and stomachic. Dose: 15 to 45 

 gr. (i to 3 Gm.). 



OFFICIAL PREPARATION. 



Fluidextractum Buchu, Dose: 15 to 60 njj (i to 4 mils). 



