The multipurpose Buchu

Likely discovered and certainly used extensively by one of humanity's most ancient of peoples, the Khoi and San, Buchu is a special plant type found on the damp lower slopes of the mountains and hills of the South Western Cape. Also known as boegoe (Afrikaans) or ibuchu (Xhosa), buchu belongs to the Rutaceae (citrus) family of fynbos.

Appearing in a bountiful 125 different varieties, buchu is a flowering plant. Some versions are richly and unmistakably fragrant: 'The volatile oils in the glands clotting the leaves and fruit' the website www.plantzafrica.com records, 'emit an easily recognizable buchu fragrance when touched or crushed'. It is evergreen and belongs to the class of mountain fynbos.

The Khoi and San apparently used buchu as one ingredient to make body lotions and chewed their leaves as a cure for stomach cramps. Medicinal applications are now well known, as a general health tonic, to treat mild cystitis and prostatitis, an appetite stimulant (in small doses) and to aid digestion, and these Khoi and San pioneered.

It can act as diuretic, a stimulant (apparently good for a hangover) and to treat colds, flu, coughs, rheumatism and gout. It has been used to wash and clean wounds. Buchu can be taken orally in the form of an infusion tea or as a tincture in brandy or vinegar. The leaves can also be chewed fresh or dried. As it has a mild laxative effect, the herb should not be taken in excess.

Considering the genome

It’s a comforting thought that there’s nothing particularly special about the African Genome – or more particularly – that there is nothing particularly special about the social implications of genomics in Africa (see Part 1). I would definitely conclude that Watson’s ‘intelligent’ guesses as to the biological basis for intelligence have not shown up in my research (see Genes, Race and Brain Function). I do not want to say too much about the detail of Watson’s comments: to paraphrase one person I interviewed, “giving more oxygen to these comments may be counter-productive.” However, I do want to say something about how Watson’s comments provide a context for the social and ethical debates currently being held in Africa concerning the role of genomics.

But will he be good for science?

South African scientists are greatly concerned about Jacob Zuma becoming President of our country. Is the fear justified? Zuma’s comments about disposing of a viral infection by taking a shower indicated breathtaking ignorance and a stunning lack of judgment: he then used his lack of education as a defense in a rape trial!

South Africa is Africa’s technologically most advanced nation. We deserve a leadership that can take us forward in science and technology, not backwards. Our endowment of universities, research laboratories, biotechnology companies and government’s science council sector must be able to grow, flourish and advance.

The people deserve a leadership that must think about all the ways and means of using science and technology to combat poverty, build houses, lay sanitation pipes, supply clean water, deal with disease, grow food, promote nutrition, dispose of environmental waste, promote the use of recyclable materials and find alternative sources of energy.