Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Review Article
Cultivation practices and phytochemical composition of A. betulina and A. crenulata: A review
Submitted: 05 February 2025 | Published: 20 June 2025
About the author(s)
Nompumelelo H. Mnisi, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South AfricaRotondwa P. Gunununu, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
Callistus Bvenura, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, South Africa
Reckson A. Mulidzi, Soil and Water Division, Agricultural Research Council, Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Louisa Blomerus, Crop Development Division, Agricultural Research Council, Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Pippa A. Karsen, Department of Plant Sciences, Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Goverment, Elsenburg, South Africa
Motiki M. Mofokeng, Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Pretoria, South Africa
Stephen Amoo, Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Pretoria, South Africa; and Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Daphney Marabe, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria, South Africa
Ngwatshipane M. Mashabela, Soil and Water Division, Agricultural Research Council, Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Agathosma betulina (P.J. Bergius) Philans and Agathosma crenulata (L.) Pillans are species known as Buchu in Khoi, ‘boegoe’ or ‘bergboegoe’ in Afrikaans and ‘ibuchu’ in isiXhosa. Traditionally, buchu has served as an antipyretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, treatment for constipation, and unrinary tract infections.
Aim: The aim of this review is to contribute to the better understanding of the cultivation practices and phytochemical constituents of buchu.
Setting: This review provides an overview of cultivation practices and phytochemical composition of A. betulina and A. crenulata.
Method: A comprehensive search was conducted on existing literature on the traditional uses, medicinal use, cultivation, and phytochemistry of A. betulina and A. crenulata in online databases.
Results: Buchu is highly valued for its oil, and used globally in culinary and cosmetic industries for its flavour and aroma. Rising demand for its essential oils and therapeutic products in the early 2000s led to overharvesting, threatening natural populations. To address this, cultivation was encouraged, but limited knowledge of its cultivation methods raises concerns about the impact of further commercial expansion on the species and its ecosystem. Buchu contains bioactive compounds such as diosphenol, menthone, and pulegone, which have demonstrated antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in preclinical studies.
Conclusion: Further research should focus on cultivation practices, non-volatile constituents, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research of the species health benefits.
Contribution: Bioprospecting for new health-promoting items needed in the primary healthcare delivery system can benefit from this study’s addition to the body of knowledge already available on the two commercially available buchu plants.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
Total abstract views: 380Total article views: 218