Buchu is a very rare and uniquely fragrant herb native to the remote mountainous regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Growing nowhere else in the world, this region provides the highly specific climatic conditions and mineral-rich soil needed to establish and maintain this plant that has been treasured for centuries. Buchu’s rarity is also attributed to its difficulty to propagate, the high mortality rate of young seedlings, and issues with poaching. Despite these challenges, the allure of Buchu's unique properties and distinct aroma has inspired ongoing research and initiatives to safeguard its future. The Western Cape Province continues to be the guardian of this extraordinary herb, ensuring that its cultivation remains a sustainable and valuable practice for generations to come. First used by the Khoekhoe people of South Africa as a traditional remedy, the buchu plant found its way into the apothecaries and pharmacopeias of Western Europe in the late 1600s.