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Buchu explained: what it is and where it comes from

The NIH says buchu products use the leaves of aromatic plants native to South Africa. Buchu is most often taken as tea, and dried extracts also come from the leaves. One of the products we reviewed lists buchu, and none prints its individual amount.

By HowNook's Health desk · Updated

What it is
Plant
Amounts the NIH names
The recommended tea regimen is one cup three times daily.
In the products we reviewed
1, its label does not print the amount

What buchu is

  • Buchu tea and dried extracts come from the leaves.1
  • Agathosma betulina is also called round or short leaf buchu.1
  • Buchu products use the leaves of aromatic plants native to South Africa.1
  • Buchu is most often taken as tea.1
  • Buchu's aromatic oils are used to flavor food and make perfumes.1

How much buchu each product gives

Per serving, as each label prints it

Amount not printed: the dashed line shows the most it can be, the whole blend

Max VitalizeNot printed · at most 176 mg

Before you take it

Side effects

  • Minor side effects can include an upset stomach and urinary tract irritation.1

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. A supplement is not a medicine.

The product we reviewed that lists buchu

ProductForm and servingBuchu per servingOur scorePrice a bottleBuy
Max Vitalize#3 in men's health supportCapsules2 capsulesNot printedIn a 176 mg proprietary blend9.3$49Check price
Prices checked Oct 11, 2026

Questions people ask

What is buchu leaf?

Buchu leaf comes from aromatic plants native to South Africa, according to the NIH. The NIH says Agathosma betulina is also called round or short leaf buchu.

What is buchu tea?

Buchu tea comes from the leaves. The NIH says buchu is most often taken as tea and names a recommended tea regimen of one cup three times daily.

What is buchu used for?

Buchu is most often taken as tea, according to the NIH. The NIH also says its aromatic oils are used to flavor food and make perfumes.

What are the side effects of buchu tea?

Buchu's minor side effects can include an upset stomach and urinary tract irritation.

Is buchu tea safe?

Buchu can have minor side effects, including an upset stomach and urinary tract irritation. Ask a clinician before adding buchu.

Which supplements contain buchu?

Max Vitalize is the only product we reviewed that lists buchu. Its label lists buchu inside a 176 mg proprietary blend without printing buchu's individual amount. The serving is 2 capsules.

Sources

The products, amounts and prices come from each product's label and checkout, as its review shows them. AI drafts our pages from listed sources, figures are checked against them, and we have not tried the products.

  1. 1NIH LiverTox, Buchuncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookschecked