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 ETYMOLOGY
”Ruscus” refers to its bitter taste.
BOTANICAL INFORMATION
Family: Ruscacecea
Description: A small evergreen shrub with large, branched rhizomes which are often appear at the bottom of large roots. The shrub’s “trunks”, which originate at the apex of the rhizome, can reach up to 60 cm in height, are lignified at their basal aspect and are very rigid, simple and abundantly branched from the bottom up. What appears to be the plant’s leaves, are in fact flat shoots known as cladodes, who have taken on the form and function of leaves. They are oval and have a spine at their tip, with ribs that run more or less parallel to each other. The plant’s true leaves are very small and appear at the center of cladodes. They are triangular or lanceolate, and are only a few millimeters long. The plant’s green flowers are placed singly in the center of the cladodes (along with the true leaves) and have a casing made up of 6 petals. The fruit is a berry, spherical, red and contains 1-2 seeds.
Habitat: Butcher’s Broom lives almost exclusively in a Mediterranean-like environment, and prefers the woods.
Cultivation: The plants are selected for propagation in autumn when they begin to bear fruit. The roots are now divided by being dug out with a hoe or spade, with the “trunks” then being replanted. Large rhizomes can be cut into pieces at this time and left to dry in the sun or in oven at low temperature.
Method of Harvest: The harvesting of the whole plants is performed three years after being planted in the spring, just before flowering.
Parts Untilized: Rizome.
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: Ruscogenine (steroidal saponins)
MODE OF ACTION
Actions: Butcher’s Broom has a profound effect on blood vessels: it increases venous tone, reduces excessive permeability of the capillaries, and has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.
Precautions: In rare cases, mild gastric disturbances have been reported.
COMMON INDICATIONS
As a medicinal herb: Preparations of Butcher’s Broom are used in the treatment of venous insufficiency; the symptoms addressed include chronic pain, feelings of heaviness in the legs, swelling, itching and night cramps in calves. It may also be used in the treatment of haemorrhoids.
Traditional use:
In Europe, the rhizome of Butcher’s Broom is traditionally used as a diuretic.
PREPARATION AND USE
Internal Use: Its extract is recommended in a dose containing 7-11 mg per day of the active constituent, ruscogenine.
External Use: Used in creams, ointments or gels for heavy legs and/or haemorrhoidal disorders.
Cosmetic Use: Recent studies have shown that extracts of Butcher’s Broom exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and work to normalize the subcutaneous microcirculation, which in turn points to its use in calming skin that shows persistent redness.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Used in ancient times, Butcher’s Broom was described by the great greek doctor of the first century AD Dioscorides as "a plant capable of inducing the urinary flow and menstrual bleeding." Dioscorides also found the plant useful in the treatment of gall stones, jaundice, and headache.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
References
“Butcher's Broom, in the treatment of venous insufficiency” Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2005 Aug;19(110):234-6
“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(4):243-50.
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