**6. Conclusions**

Buchu has been utilised in southern Africa for millennia by the Khoi-San people indige‐ nous to the region for a multitude of daily uses and a plethora of ailments. It is a re‐ nowned herb whose traditional benefits have made their way from Africa to the Western world. There are 150 Agathosma species that are indigenous to South Africa, and of these, Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata are the most well known. True to its description of being a multi-purpose specie, Buchu has long been used as an antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, for urinary problems including maladies such as haematuria, calculi, kidney disease and infections of the bladder, prostate and urethra. Buchu's pharmacologi‐ cal profile allows it to be used for its diuretic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic purposes. Its uses today have spread beyond its medicinal applications, as this compound has made its way into the fragrance and flavour industries where it is used to enhance fruit flavours and boost fragrances. Buchu's biological profile allows it to be used to alleviate ailments of the reproductive system. Its uses in inflammation, oxidative stress and in the removal of pathogenic species from the body have allowed it to be effective in treating disorders such as BPH and UTI's. Its antioxidant properties may be used to prevent infertility through its potential to help keep ROS/RNS at physiological levels, allowing them to regulate sperm function without allowing pathological levels to be obtained, which can have detrimental effects on the ability to reproduce. Whilst the advantages of using this natural product have been known for a substantial amount of time, the use of Buchu has not made its way into mainsteam markets as definitive research still needs to be done to substantiate its benefits. Because of all its benefits, it would be a worthy task to look into all its properties so that maximal benefit may be obtained from its use.

med cell death, which is assisted by the presence of ROS [75]. ROS activate mitochondri‐ al release of cytochrome c, which ultimately activates caspases which leads to apoptosis [76, 78]. Hypochlorous acid is also known to oxidise cellular components, directly activat‐ ing apoptosis [78]. Also, high temperatures within the male reproductive system have been

Antioxidants have been explored as possible therapeutics that may lead to a reduction in levels of ROS [15]. Antioxidant therapy has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, resulting in reduced DNA damage and apoptosis. Antioxidants may be used to keep free radicals at levels that are appropriate for physiological function, while reducing the levels that bring about

Buchu is well known for its antioxidant properties. As discussed above, it has been shown to contain factors which assist in the antioxidant activity of the plant. By using this plant in small therapeutic doses, Buchu may be effective in staving off excess build up of free radicals,

Buchu has been utilised in southern Africa for millennia by the Khoi-San people indige‐ nous to the region for a multitude of daily uses and a plethora of ailments. It is a re‐ nowned herb whose traditional benefits have made their way from Africa to the Western world. There are 150 Agathosma species that are indigenous to South Africa, and of these, Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata are the most well known. True to its description of being a multi-purpose specie, Buchu has long been used as an antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, for urinary problems including maladies such as haematuria, calculi, kidney disease and infections of the bladder, prostate and urethra. Buchu's pharmacologi‐ cal profile allows it to be used for its diuretic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic purposes. Its uses today have spread beyond its medicinal applications, as this compound has made its way into the fragrance and flavour industries where it is used to enhance fruit flavours and boost fragrances. Buchu's biological profile allows it to be used to alleviate ailments of the reproductive system. Its uses in inflammation, oxidative stress and in the removal of pathogenic species from the body have allowed it to be effective in treating disorders such as BPH and UTI's. Its antioxidant properties may be used to prevent infertility through its potential to help keep ROS/RNS at physiological levels, allowing them to regulate sperm function without allowing pathological levels to be obtained, which can have detrimental effects on the ability to reproduce. Whilst the advantages of using this natural product have been known for a substantial amount of time, the use of Buchu has not made its way into mainsteam markets as definitive research still needs to be done to substantiate its benefits. Because of all its benefits, it would be a worthy task to look into

decreasing the negative effects on the function of spermatozoa that lead to infertility.

all its properties so that maximal benefit may be obtained from its use.

correlated to higher levels of ROS [13].

308 Antioxidant-Antidiabetic Agents and Human Health

unwanted pathologies and infertility [15].

**6. Conclusions**



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**Table 1.** Table showing the diverse uses and properties of Buchu, which are the properties which help to define Buchu it as an ethnomedicinally important product
