Botanical name: Ruscus aculeatus
© Martin Wall
Parts used and where grown
Butcher’s broom is a spiny, small-leafed evergreen bush native to the Mediterranean
region and northwest Europe. It is a member of the lily family and is similar, in many ways,
to asparagus. The roots and young stems of butcher’s broom are used medicinally.
Butcher’s broom has
been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the
individual health concern for complete information):
Historical or traditional use (may
or may not be supported by scientific studies)
Butcher’s broom is so named because the mature branches were bundled and used as
brooms by butchers. The young shoots were sometimes eaten as food. Ancient physicians used the
roots as a diuretic in the treatment of urinary problems.1
Active constituents
Steroidal saponins are thought to be responsible for the medicinal actions of
butcher’s broom.2 These constituents are reported to improve the strength and
tone of the veins and act as mild diuretics. They may also lead to constriction of the veins,
which helps blood return from the extremities.3 4 Butcher’s broom
extracts also exert a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
Clinical trials, one double-blind, have confirmed the benefit of a combination of vitamin C, flavonoids, and butcher’s broom for treatment of
chronic venous insufficiency
(CVI).5 6 In a comparison study, a product combining butcher’s
broom extract, the flavonoid hesperidin, and vitamin C was more effective than a synthetic
flavonoid product for treating CVI.7 A double-blind study, in which Butcher’s
broom alone was used, has confirmed the beneficial effect of this herb in the treatment of
CVI.8
How much is usually taken?
Encapsulated butcher’s broom extracts, in the amount of 1,000 mg three times per day,
can be used for chronic venous insufficiency.
These extracts are often combined with vitamin C and/or flavonoids. Standardized extracts
(9–11% ruscogenins) can be taken in the amount of 100 mg three times per day.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Side effects are rarely seen if butcher’s broom is used as directed above. However,
in certain cases, butcher’s broom can cause nausea.9
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with butcher’s broom.
References:1. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal, vol I. New York: Dover
Publications, 1971, 128–9.
2. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum,
1988, 117–8.
3. Bouskela E, Cyrino FZ, Marcelon G. Inhibitory effect of the
Ruscus extract and of the flavonoid hesperidine methylchalcone on increased microvascular
permeability induced by various agents in the hamster cheek pouch. J Cardiovasc
Pharmacol 1993;22:225–30.
4. Bouskela E, Cyrino FZ, Marcelon G. Effects of Ruscus extract
on the internal diameter of arterioles and venules of the hamster cheek pouch
microcirculation. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1993;22:221–4.
5. Boccalon H, Causse C, Yubero L. Comparative efficacy of a single daily
dose of two capsules of Cyclo 3 Fort in the morning versus a repeated dose of one capsule
morning and evening. A one month study. Int Angiol 1998;155–60.
6. Capelli R, Nicora M, Di Perri T. Use of extract of Ruscus
aculeatus in venous disease in the lower limbs. Drugs Exp Clin Res
1988;14:277–83.
7. Beltramino R, Penenory A, Buceta AM. An open-label, randomized
multicenter study comparing the efficacy and safety of Cyclo 3 Fort® versus hydroxyethyl
rutoside in chronic venous lymphatic insufficiency. Angiology
2000;51:535–44.
8. Vanscheidt W, Jost V, Wolna P, et al. Efficacy and safety of a
Butcher's broom preparation (Ruscus aculeatus L. extract) compared to placebo in patients
suffering from chronic venous insufficiency. Arzneimittelforschung
2002;52:243–50.
9. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative
Medicine Communications, 1998, 99–100.