Scientific Name: Butcher's broom
Other Names: Box Holly, Jew's Myrtle, Knee Holly, Kneeholm, Pettigree, Ruscus aculeatus, Sweet Broom

Who is this for?

Uses

Chemicals in butcher's broom attach to and strengthen certain parts of blood vessels, notably collagen, a natural protein that supports body tissues, strengthens cells, and makes skin flexible. As a result, butcher's broom tightens blood vessels, which helps to keep blood circulating throughout the body. It also acts to improve the flexibility of blood vessel walls. Therefore, less blood leaks out of weak, stretched vessels such as those that cause hemorrhoids. Both oral and topical butcher's broom may also lessen cramps, itching, swelling, and other symptoms associated with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that occurs when valves in the veins that carry blood back to the heart are weak or damaged. The blood that may collect in the veins of the legs can lead to varicose veins, spider veins, or sores on the legs. Chronic venous insufficiency can have more serious effects, which may include blood clots in the legs. Although other anti-clotting drugs are more common in the United States, a preparation derived from butcher's broom is used in European hospitals to prevent blood clots after surgery.

Butcher's broom has also been used as a mild diuretic, a chemical that promotes the loss of urine from the body. Because butcher's broom helps to keep fluids from leaking out of blood vessels into surrounding tissue, more body fluid is filtered through the kidneys and eliminated in urine. This effect may lessen swelling. Currently, other drugs are more effective for relieving serious swelling, but products that include butcher's broom are popular in European countries for the relief of milder swelling associated with premenstrual syndrome, sprains, and some heart conditions. Butcher's broom is also being investigated for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure after standing up. Dizziness, falling, or fainting may result. Advanced age, certain drugs, and medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease are often associated with orthostatic hypotension. Butcher's broom may reduce orthostatic hypertension without raising blood pressure as some other treatments do.

Precautions

In one very small study of pregnant women who used a topical cream containing butcher's broom, no side effects were seen for either the mother or the baby. However, very little information is available on how oral butcher's broom might affect a developing fetus, an infant, or a small child. Therefore, its use is not recommended during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or during early childhood.

Because it tightens blood vessels, butcher's broom may worsen high blood pressure or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Individuals with either of these conditions should not use any form of butcher's broom without first consulting a doctor.

What side effects should I watch for?

Taking butcher's broom by mouth has been associated with infrequent and mild stomach upset or nausea. No side effects have been reported from topical use. Since few reliable studies of its use have been conducted in humans, however, butcher's broom may have side effects that are not yet known. Individuals who experience unexplained side effects while taking butcher's broom should stop taking it and tell a doctor or pharmacist about the side effects.

What interactions should I watch for?

Even though no interactions have been reported between butcher's broom and prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, other herbal supplements, or foods, butcher's broom may interfere with medications for high blood pressure due to its constricting effect on blood vessels.

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how butcher's broom interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Butcher's broom grows as a small shrub with flat, stiff, evergreen leaves that have sharp barbs on the ends. A member of the lily family of plants, butcher's broom plants look somewhat like holly bushes. The plants produce small white or light yellow-green blooms in the late spring and then develop bright red berries in the fall. The berries stay on the bush all winter. Native to the area around the Mediterranean Sea, butcher's broom has spread to most of Europe, South America, and the southern United States. Its common name refers to the historical use of the shrub's foliage as a scrubber to clean the cutting boards of European butchers.

For use in medicine, the roots and rhizomes of butcher's broom are collected in the fall of the year and dried. Rhizomes are fleshy extensions of plant stems that run along or under the ground and often produce shoots and roots for new plants. The underground parts of butcher's broom are said to have a slightly sweet taste, but no smell. In the past, the leaves and stems occasionally were dried for use as a tea and young stems were cooked and eaten as a vegetable similar to asparagus. Eating butcher's broom is no longer common. The berries provide a red coloring agent for fabrics and other products.

Dosage and Administration

Although butcher's broom products are available in the United States, they are used much more commonly in Europe and South America. Oral Butcher's broom is most often sold as capsules--usually containing other ingredients, such as vitamin C, that may also strengthen blood vessels. Frequently, commercial products are made from butcher's broom crude root, which is composed of a number of active chemicals belonging to the group known as saponins. Several of the saponins in butcher's broom are collectively called "ruscogenin" and some oral commercial butcher's broom preparations are standardized to contain set amounts of ruscogenin--generally between 5 mg and 15 mg. Standardization by the manufacturer should assure the same amount of active ingredient in every batch of the commercial preparation. Standardization of herbal products is not required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so not every product sold in this country will contain the same amounts of active ingredients.

The number of capsules to take and the number of times per day to take them varies greatly according to the butcher's broom product being used and the condition being treated. Individuals who choose to take an oral product that contains butcher's broom should follow the directions on the package that is purchased.

Both oral and topical butcher's broom are used to treat hemorrhoids, sprains, varicose veins, and other conditions. Both forms often contain other ingredients, such as horse chestnut, that may have similar effects on blood vessels. Topical forms of butcher's broom include ointments and suppositories, which potentially may be used as often as needed. However, the directions on the product that is bought should be followed.

Summary

Because butcher's broom causes blood vessels to become firmer and more flexible, it may be helpful in treating hemorrhoids and chronic venous insufficiency. Studies are investigating its potential benefit for orthostatic hypotension.

Risks

Due to its tightening effect on blood vessels, butcher's broom may worsen high blood pressure or BPH. Not enough is known about it to recommend its oral use for children or for pregnant and breast-feeding women.

Side Effects

Occasionally, the oral use of butcher's broom has caused mild nausea.

Interactions

While no interactions have been associated with the use of butcher's broom, it may possibly interfere with medications for high blood pressure.

Last Revised April 4, 2008

References

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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(7):535-544.

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Facino RM, Carini M, Stefani R, Aldini G, Saibene L. Anti-elastase and anti-hyaluronidase activities of saponins and sapogenins from Hedera helix, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Ruscus aculeatus: factors contributing to their efficacy in the treatment of venous insufficiency. Archives of Pharmacy (Weinheim). 1995;328(10):720-724.

HealthNotes, Inc. Butcher's broom. 2002. Available at: http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Herb/Butchers_Broom.htm. Accessed July 2, 2003.

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Last Revised April 4, 2008

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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