Butcher's Broom

Scientific Name(s): Ruscus aculeatus
Common Name(s): Box holly, Butcher's broom, Jew's myrtle, Knee holly, Kneeholm, Pettigree, Sweet broom

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 4, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Butcher's broom has been used traditionally as a laxative, mild diuretic, treatment for circulatory disease, chronic venous insufficiency, atherosclerosis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and as a cytotoxic agent. Positive findings for vascular insufficiency and related conditions are reported; however, quality clinical trials are generally lacking.

Dosing

Butchers broom has been used in clinical trials for chronic venous insufficiency standardized to 7 to 11 mg of ruscogenin. Extracts have been dosed at 16 mg daily for chronic phlebopathy, while a topical cream formulation was used to apply 64 to 96 mg of extract daily.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.

Interactions

None well documented. Theoretical interactions with alpha-adrenergic stimulating medicines may exist.

Adverse Reactions

Allergic contact dermatitis has been reported with topical formulations, whereas oral administration has been associated with GI side effects.

Toxicology

The extract from roots has been shown to be more toxic than from rhizomes and, in animal studies, led to convulsions, paralysis, GI inflammation, and dysentery. Severe visceral congestion eventually led to fatal respiratory failure.

Scientific Family

• Asparagaceae

Botany

Butcher's broom is a low-growing common evergreen shrub. It is widely distributed, from Iran to the Mediterranean1 and the southern United States.2 The plant develops edible shoots from rhizomes that are similar to asparagus in form.3 Butcher's broom has tough, erect, striated stems with false thorny leaves called cladophylles.4 The Asparagaceae family is formerly known as Liliaceae (lily). The nomenclature of this plant should not be confused with broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) or Spanish broom (Spartium junceum L.).

History

R. aculeatus was given its common name, butcher's broom, because its stiff twigs were bound together and used by butchers in Europe to keep their cutting boards clean. The plant has a long history of use; more than 2000 years ago, it was noted as a laxative, diuretic, and a phlebotherapeutic agent.5 Extracts, decoctions, and poultices have been used throughout the ages, but the medicinal use of this plant did not become common until the last century. Early investigations during the 1950s indicated that extracts of the rhizomes of butcher's broom could induce vasoconstriction and therefore might have use in the treatment of circulatory diseases. The increasing popularity of natural and herbal remedies in Europe in the 1970s reaffirmed its position in modern medicine. Novel uses for this plant have included its use as an anti-inflammatory agent and to prevent atherosclerosis. Butcher's broom is the active component in several drug formulations and topical treatments for venous disease. Structural elucidation of active compounds and the discovery of new pharmacological activity, particularly as a cytotoxic agent, demonstrate the need for continued research on butcher's broom.

Chemistry

A variety of compounds have been isolated from butcher's broom. The 2 primary saponin compounds are ruscogenin and neoruscogenin.6 The rus...