BUTCHER’S BROOM

Written by Slawomir Gromadzki (“Swavak”), MPH

Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus), is an evergreen shrub which is commonly used to promote the circulatory system health and improve blood circulation.

It also reduces the permeability of small blood vessels (helps tighten blood vessels and capillaries).

The properties of this herb make it useful in dealing with varicose veins, haemorrhoids, Reynaud’s disease, and other problems associated with weak blood vessels and poor blood circulation.

Butcher’s broom may also help to relieve fluid retention and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.

Butcher’s Broom works by activating receptors which stimulate the release of noradrenaline to increase vascular tone and constrict blood vessels. This constriction improves blood circulation and reduce the pooling of the blood. The herbs is also high in beneficial bioflavonoids which strengthen blood vessels and support circulation.

Butcher’s broom works even better when it is taken with other herbs or horsetail (high in silica) as well as rutin (vitamin P) that support the vascular system.

In Germany Butcher’s broom has been even approved as an official remedy for treating haemorrhoids.

The major symptom of chronic venous insufficiency is swelling of the legs (oedema), and it was scientifically proved that Butcher’s broom is effective in reducing this symptom.

In 2007 study over 100 patients leg heaviness, and oedema caused by chronic venous insufficiency had no complaints after taking two capsules of Butcher’s broom for a month.

SOURCES

MacKay D. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins: a review of treatment options. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Apr;6(2):126-40.

Redman DA. Ruscus aculeatus (butcher’s broom) as a potential treatment for orthostatic hypotension, with a case report.

Kathy Abascal, B.S., J.D., R.H. (A.H.G.), Eric Yarnell, N.D., R.H. (A.H.G.). Botanical Treatments for Hemorrhoids.

Vanscheidt W, Jost V, Wolna P, Lücker PW, Müller A, Theurer C, Patz B, Grützner KI. 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.

Aguilar Peralta GR, Arévalo Gardoqui J, Llamas Macías FJ, Navarro Ceja VH, Mendoza Cisneros SA, Martínez Macías CG. Clinical and capillaroscopic evaluation in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with Ruscus aculeatus, hesperidin methylchalcone and ascorbic acid in venous insufficiency treatment of ambulatory patients. Int Angiol. 2007 Dec;26(4):378-84.