Butchers Broom

Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus): A Natural Remedy for Venous Health

Introduction to Butcher’s Broom

Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a low evergreen shrub recognized for its unique flat shoots called cladodes, which resemble stiff, spine-tipped leaves. Native to Eurasia and northern Africa, it thrives in woodlands, hedgerows, and coastal cliffs, where it tolerates deep shade and poor soils. Today, it is widely cultivated in gardens and has escaped into the wild in many regions. Seeds are dispersed by birds, aiding natural propagation.

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Botanical Characteristics and Harvesting

In spring, butcher’s broom produces small greenish flowers in the center of its cladodes. Female flowers develop into bright red berries, each containing seeds that require cold stratification and up to 12 months or more to germinate.

Traditionally, young shoots were harvested in spring for food, while mature shoots were collected later for broom-making. Today, the rhizome is the most valued part, harvested in autumn and used in teas, extracts, ointments, and capsules for medicinal purposes.

For detailed identification, growth habits, and cultivation, see our Butcher’s broom plant profile.

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Properties of Ruscus aculeatus

A member of the Asparagaceae family, butcher’s broom is prized for its resilience and medicinal value. The underground rhizome is rich in steroidal saponins (ruscogenins and neoruscogenins), compounds with venotonic and anti-inflammatory activity. These strengthen blood vessel walls, reduce capillary fragility, and support healthy circulation.

For centuries, butcher’s broom has been used to manage chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), varicose veins, swelling, and poor circulation. Today, it remains a well-recognized botanical in European phytotherapy and modern research.

See our full article on the benefits of Butcher’s broom for detailed coverage.

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Clinical Benefits and Uses

One of the most studied uses of butcher’s broom is in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a condition where blood pools in the legs due to weak venous tone. Symptoms include leg heaviness, swelling, and discomfort.

• Commission E (Germany): Approved butcher’s broom root extract for supportive therapy in CVI.

• Clinical guidelines: Recommend combination with hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C, which enhance venous support.

• Research findings: Butcher’s broom extracts improve deep vein blood flow and reduce edema, supporting its role in vascular health.

Beyond CVI, butcher’s broom has applications in varicose veins, hemorrhoids, lymphatic insufficiency, and phlebopathy (venous inflammation and dysfunction). Case studies even suggest potential in orthostatic hypotension, where it may reduce dizziness caused by sudden drops in blood pressure.

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Extracts and Supplement Forms

Butcher’s broom is available in several traditional and modern preparations, each offering unique benefits for circulation and vascular health:

• Capsules/Tablets: Standardized to ruscogenins; typical daily doses range from 150–300 mg.
• Teas/Infusions: Prepared from 1–2 g of dried rhizome infused in hot water; used in traditional European herbalism.
• Tinctures: Alcohol-based extracts that provide concentrated delivery of active compounds.
• Topical Creams/Ointments: Applied to relieve varicose vein discomfort, swelling, and heaviness in the legs.

Some clinical formulations combine butcher’s broom with vitamin C and hesperidin methyl chalcone for enhanced efficacy in chronic venous insufficiency.

Learn more about dosing, forms, and standardization in our guide to butcher’s broom extract.

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Anti-Inflammatory and Circulatory Benefits

Butcher’s broom not only supports venous tone but also reduces inflammation in the vascular system. Its saponins exhibit alpha-adrenergic stimulating activity, constricting blood vessels to improve circulation and reduce capillary leakage.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirm its dual role as both a venotonic and anti-inflammatory herb, making it useful for a wide spectrum of circulatory disorders.

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Safety and Considerations

Butcher’s broom is generally well tolerated, but awareness of potential risks is important:

• • Gastrointestinal upset: Mild symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort have been reported.

• • Skin reactions: Rare cases of allergic contact dermatitis with topical use.

• • Blood pressure effects: Because of its vasoconstrictive properties, butcher’s broom may elevate blood pressure and should be used cautiously by individuals with hypertension. For a complete list of adverse effects, interactions, and who should avoid this herb, see our guide to butcher’s broom side effects.

• • Drug interactions: Possible interactions with antihypertensive medications and drugs affecting circulation.

• • Pregnancy and lactation: Safety not established; avoid use unless under professional supervision.

Most clinical studies report only mild side effects, but users should monitor their response and consult healthcare providers before starting butcher’s broom therapy.

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Promoting Good Health

Because of its vascular and anti-inflammatory benefits, butcher’s broom has been used for:

• Chronic venous lymphatic insufficiency

• Varicose veins and hemorrhoids

• Orthostatic hypotension

• Lymphatic congestion and swelling

It is often paired with other herbs like horse chestnut or compounds like diosmin in circulatory formulas. Modern research supports its traditional role, especially in venous insufficiency and vascular health, and highlights its ongoing importance in integrative medicine.

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Research and Clinical Evidence

Scientific studies and regulatory authorities have investigated butcher’s broom for circulatory health:

• • Commission E (Germany): Approved butcher’s broom root extract as supportive therapy in chronic venous insufficiency.

• • European Medicines Agency (EMA): Published a monograph recognizing traditional and well-established use of Ruscus aculeatus in venous disease.

• • Randomized controlled trials: Vanscheidt et al. (2002) demonstrated significant symptom improvement compared to placebo in patients with CVI.

• • Systematic reviews: Wolna et al. (2019) confirmed efficacy and safety of ruscus extracts in venous disorders.

These findings reinforce the long-standing use of butcher’s broom as a therapeutic botanical for venous health.

To explore its role in venous insufficiency and varicose veins, read our full guide on Butcher’s broom for veins.

Before using this herb, review our detailed overview of side effects and safety.

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Further Reading

• • Vanscheidt W, et al.
    Efficacy and safety of a Butcher’s broom preparation (Ruscus aculeatus L. extract) compared to placebo in chronic venous insufficiency. (2002).
    PubMed

• • Wolna P, Kakkos SK, Beltramino R, Adamek B.
    Ruscus extract in chronic venous disease: A review of clinical evidence. International Angiology. 2019;38(5):395–404.
    PubMed

• • European Medicines Agency (EMA).
    European Union Herbal Monograph and Assessment Report on Ruscus aculeatus L., rhizoma. (2015).
    EMA Report

• • Diehm C, Trampisch HJ, Lange S, Schmidt C.
    Comparison of compression stockings alone vs. in combination with horse chestnut or ruscus extract in CVI. Angiology. 1996;47(7):583–589.
    PubMed

• • Beltramino R, Wolna P.
    Safety profile of Ruscus aculeatus extract: A systematic analysis of adverse effects. Phlebology. 2018;33(3):156–164.
    PubMed