|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herb & Supplement Encyclopedia: |
|
|
|
|
|
Butcher's Broom |
|
|
 Scientific Names |
|
|
 Forms |
|
|
 Traditional Usage |
|
|
 Overview |
|
|
 Active Ingredients |
|
|
 Suggested Amount |
|
|
 Drug Interactions |
|
|
 Contraindications |
|
|
 Side Effects |
|
|
 References |
|
|
Scientific Names: |
|
|
Ruscus aculeatus L. [Fam. Liliaceae] |
|
|
Forms: |
|
|
Standardized extract of Butcher's Broom root. |
|
|
Traditional Usage: |
|
|
- Angiopathy
- Anti-inflammatory
- Capillary Strengthening
- Chronic Orthostatic Hypotension
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency
- Diabetic Microangiopathy
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Dislocated Joints
- Edema
- Fever
- Gravel
- Heart Health Maintenance
- Hemorrhoids
- Jaundice
- Joint Dislocation
- Leg Vein Health
- Menstrual Problems
- Microangiopathy
- Phlebitis
- Poor Circulation
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Retinopathy
- Skin Disorders
- Sprains
- Urinary Tract Disorders
- Varicose Veins
- Vascular Disorders
- Venous Insufficiency
- Wrinkles |
|
|
 |
|
|
Overview: |
|
|
Butcher's broom, Ruscus aculeatus [Fam. Liliaceae], is a member of the lily family with stiff, pointed leaf-like twigs, greenish white flowers and shiny red berries that is native to Europe and Africa. Like its relative, asparagus, its young tender shoots can be eaten. The Roman scholar Pliny report the use of Butcher's broom for the treatment of varicose veins in 60 A.D. and ancient Greeks also used this herb to cure swelling and other ailments. The Greek naturalist and philosopher Theophrastus reported seeing "lame people get up and walk" and "swelling become normal again" after treatment with this "miracle herb". The thick roots and rhizomes are collected in autumn and used medicinally to treat chronic venous insufficiency, edema, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), hemorrhoids and as a diuretic in the treatment of urinary problems. Butcher's broom is particularly popular in France for preventing post-operative blood clots, thrombosis and phlebitis and has been used by thousands of patients before undergoing surgery. Butcher's broom is most often used to treat and prevent chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Butcher's Broom in promoting hemorrhoid healing. It's active ingredients, including saponins and flavonoids such as rutin, strengthen capillaries and other tissues, tighten veins, and reduce clotting by naturally thinning the blood. One trial indicates that butcher's broom may be useful in preventing diabetic retinopathy. Butcher's broom and other herbs that help circulatory health are also becoming popular in weight-loss products designed to increase fat burning and celluloid release through enhanced circulation and improved delivery of other active ingredients for slimming. Butcher's broom additionally cleanses the liver and kidneys. Butcher's broom also contains glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which produces a diuretic effect when taken internally and also helps to renew skin cells when applied externally in creams. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Active Ingredients: |
|
|
Butcher's broom roots and rhizomes contain: Approximately 10% saponins, including the steroidal saponin glycosides ruscogenin and neoruscogenin; steroidal sapogenins; sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids including rutin, coumarins, sparteine, tyramine, and glycolic acid. Although both the above and below ground parts of the plant contain ruscogenins, the concentration is higher in the root, the part of the plant traditionally used medicinally. The ruscogenins from butcher's broom show marked anti-elastase activity in vitro but are inactive against hyaluronidase. Ruscogenin and neoruscogenin are described as being similar to diosgenin, found in wild yam. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Suggested Amount: |
|
|
The recommended dosage of butcher's broom root extracts containing 10% saponins for internal is 150mg daily. The dosage for capsules standardized for ruscogenins (neoruscogenin and ruscogenin) corresponds to 7-11 mg of saponins, although some experts recommend 16.5-33 mg of total rucogenins three times daily. The dosage for the alcoholic extract of the whole plant is 0.5-1.5 mL three times daily. The butcher's broom products including Cyclo 3 Fort®, Phlebodril® or Fabroven® that are used in many clinical trials, contain between 30-150 mg of butcher's broom per capsule, and a typical dose is 2 to 3 capsules three times daily. Dr. James Duke in The Green Pharmacy recommends using 5 rounded teaspoons of root in a cup of boiling water for internal use, sweetened with honey. He also recommends a tincture with alcohol for topical applications. Other sources note that if the dried raw herb is used, it is recommended to use 2 teaspoons of powdered root per 1.5 pints (852ml) of boiling water. Boil in a covered container for about half an hour, at a slow boil. Allow the liquid to cool slowly in the closed container. Drink cold, 2 to 3 tablespoons 6 times daily. Culpeper recommends a decoction of the dried root for jaundice, urinary stones and suppression of menstruation – 1 ounce (28 g) of the root to 1.5 pint (852ml) of water is used. The water is boiled down to 1 pint (568 ml) and strained. The dose is two teaspoonfuls three times daily. Alternatively, a tea can be made from a half an ounce (14 g) of the fresh root or 1 ounce of the twigs to 1 pint of boiling water. The dose is 2 fluid ounces (56 ml) and this acts as a diuretic and diaphoretic. Butcher's broom can also be used externally in poultices, skin creams, ointments and suppositories. Ointments and suppositories containing butcher's broom typically used for hemorrhoids are often applied or inserted at night before going to bed. Culpeper notes that a poultice made of the berries and leaves of butcher's broom is "effectual in knitting and consolidating broken bones or parts out of joint". |
|
|
 |
|
|
Drug Interactions: |
|
|
None known. However, according to a monograph on Butcher's broom, there may be reason to avoid combining butcher's broom with alpha-adrenergic antagonist antihypertensive/spasmolytic drugs such as prazosin and terazosin. It is thought that tyramine from butcher's broom could theoretically precipitate a hypertensive crisis when combined with these drugs. Similarly, tyramine-containing herbs should not be combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors to avoid hypertensive crises. Preclinical information on butcher's broom also suggests the possibility for interference with alpha-blockers. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Contraindications: |
|
|
None known. Most reviewers consider butcher's broom to be safe and list no contraindications. Butcher's broom has traditionally been recommended for women during pregnancy, however, clinical research to support its safety is lacking. One uncontrolled trial of 20 pregnant women taking butcher's broom daily for venous insufficiency followed both fetal and post-birth indices and found no embryotoxic or other adverse effects. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Side Effects: |
|
|
When taken orally in recommended dosages, researchers have noted no serious adverse effects from butcher's broom. Occasional allergy-induced nausea or gastritis has been reported. Contact dermatitis has occasionally been reported in patients topically exposed to butcher's broom. In one study using a combination product containing butcher's broom (Cyclo 3 Fort - 3 capsules three times daily), several patients experienced edema, nausea, and abdominal pain significant enough to discontinue Cyclo 3 Fort in 3.5 percent of the patients. |
|
|
 |
|
|
References: |
|
|
Beltramino R, Penenory A, Buceta AM. 2000. 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 Jul; 51(7): 535-44.
Duke, J. 1997: The Green Pharmacy, The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing and Herbs. Pp. 306, 307, 541. Rodale Press.
Vanscheidt W, Jost V, Wolna P, Lucker PW, Muller A, Theurer C, Patz B, Grutzner KI. 2002. 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.
[No authors listed] 2001. Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom). Monograph.
Altern Med Rev. 2001 Dec; 6(6): 608-12. Review.
MacKay D. 2001. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins: a review of treatment options.
Altern Med Rev. 2001 Apr;6(2):126-40. Review.
Redman DA. 2000. Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom) as a potential treatment for orthostatic hypotension, with a case report. J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Dec; 6(6): 539-49. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
All text and Images ©
Flora Manufacturing & Distributing Ltd. The content on this site is meant for informational purposes only,
and is not intended for use as official health consultation or recommendations.
Flora Manufacturing & Distributing Ltd. takes no responsibility for harm that may result from the use,
abuse or misuse of information contained on this site.
Please read our Privacy Statement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
