Butchers Broom Background And Benefits
Butcher´s broom, known scientifically as Ruscus aculeatus, is a flowering plant that also has many other common names such as box holly, knee holly, kneeholm, jews myrtle, pettigree and sweet broom. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family, which includes asparagus. The young shoots of butchers broom may also be prepared and eaten like asparagus.
Butchers broom originates from Central Europe, although it is now cultivated throughout Europe and the Mediterranean region. It grows best in full sun with moist soil, and the ideal growing temperature for butchers broom is between 40 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Butchers broom is a small shrub that can grow to a height of one foot. The leaf-like structures that grow on the primary stems are actually flattened stems known as cladophylls. Tiny flowers grow on the cladophylls in late winter and spring and are usually green or white in color. These flowers will eventually develop into red berries.
The use of butchers broom in herbal medicine is more than 2,000 years old and was first documented in ancient Greece. However, it was only until the 1950s that butchers broom was used in western herbal medicine and its popularity has increased dramatically since the 1970s. The root-like rhizomes and young stems are the most valuable part of the plant in herbal medicine, although some preparations use the entire plant.
Butchers Broom Dosage For Hemorrhoids
Many clinical studies using this herb use 150 mg doses of butchers broom 3 times per day with food. The dosage for a typical alcoholic tincture is 30 to 60 drops 3 times a day.
Dr. James A. Duke recommended taking 5 rounded teaspoons of root in a cup of boiling water for internal consumption and, you can sweeten it with honey. Dr. Duke suggested for topical application of this herb, that he would apply a tincture made with alcohol.
Butchers Broom For Varicose Veins: Yes Or No
Vein-related disorders have become one of the most frequent chronic diseases amongst Americans 50% of them are experiencing at least a minor case of chronic venous insufficiency a condition of damaged vein valves and poor blood circulation that typically results in varicose veins. Women are more prone to develop vein-related disorders than men for various reasons genetics, hormonal changes, pregnancies, etc.
While consulting vein issues with a medical specialist is still the most desirable solution to the problem, many people want to try out various natural remedies and herbal supplements first and there are quite a few of those on the market now. As a matter of fact, it has become very difficult to navigate through the surge of vitamin tablets, natural creams and herbal teas. Thats why we are going to look into one specific natural remedy recommended for vein-related issues and see if it is worth trying out butchers broom.
Read Also: What To Do When Hemorrhoids Don’t Go Away
Butchers Broom: When To Recommend It For Use
According to the ESCOP, but also according to the German Commission E, Butchers broom is:
- indicated in the treatment of symptoms associated with chronic venous insufficiency, such as pain, tiredness and heaviness in the legs, tingling and swelling:
- adjuvant in the treatment of symptoms associated with hemorrhoids, such as itching and burning.
What is chronic venous insufficiency? it is a condition in which the veins do not favor the return of blood flow and therefore the blood tends to stagnate in the tissues this situation most often occurs in the veins of the lower extremities. Chronic venous insufficiency can be caused either by real pathologies of the veins or by a functional overload of the veins which, although normal, are called to excessive work. One of the most common manifestations of chronic insufficiency is varicose veins, although chronic venous insufficiency can occur without varicose veins or noticeable capillaries. Varicose veins are the result of the proteoglycan network in the elastic tissue of the venous wall by lysosomal enzymes this would facilitate the escape of electrolytes, fluid and proteins through the vessel wall and the formation of edema there is also a reduction of collagen, a dilation of the vessel wall and alterations of the microcirculation with consequent venous stasis.
What Is The Recommended Dosage For Butchers Broom
There is no official recommended safe dose for butchers broom. However, the following doses appear to be most effective in studies:
- Dried root: 1.5-3 grams per day
- Pills or capsules: 200 mg 2-3 times a day
- Liquid extracts or tinctures: 3-6 mL per day
Capsule supplements often contain a combination of butchers broom , hesperidin methyl chalcone, and ascorbic acid.
It is best to consult your doctor before taking supplements.
Also Check: Can Hemorrhoids Cause Urinary Incontinence
Report Problems To The Food And Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Archimowicz-Cyrylowska, B. Clinical effect of buckwheat herb, Ruscus extract and troxerutin on retinopathy and lipids in diabetic patients. Phytotherapy Res 1996 10:659-662.
Beltramino, R., Penenory, A., and Buceta, A. M. An open-label, randomised multicentre study comparing the efficacy and safety of CYCLO 3 FORT versus hydroxyethyl rutoside in chronic venous lymphatic insufficiency. Int Angiol. 1999 18:337-342. View abstract.
Bohmer, D. Action of Ruscus extract cream in the treatment of sports injuries. In: Vanhoutte, P. M. Return Circulation and Norepinephrine: An Update. Paris: John Libbey Euretext 1991.
Bouaziz, N., Michiels, C., Janssens, D., Berna, N., Eliaers, F., Panconi, E., and Remacle, J. Effect of Ruscus extract and hesperidin methylchalcone on hypoxia-induced activation of endothelial cells. Int Angiol. 1999 18:306-312. View abstract.
Bouskela, E., Cyrino, F. Z., and Marcelon, G. Effects of Ruscus extract on the internal diameter of arterioles and venules of the hamster cheek pouch microcirculation. J Cardiovasc.Pharmacol 1993 22:221-224. View abstract.
Boyle, P., Diehm, C., and Robertson, C. Meta-analysis of clinical trials of Cyclo 3 Fort in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Int Angiol. 2003 22:250-262. View abstract.
How To Use Butchers Broom
There are a number of ways to get the benefits of butchers broom. Many people take it in supplement form, which can be found in pills, oils and creams. As I mentioned earlier, some people eat butchers broom roots like they would asparagus, although it smells and tastes much more pungent and bitter than asparagus.
Possible Side Effects & Precautions
There are a couple of issues to be aware of if you choose to take or eat butchers broom. For one, butchers broom contains saponins. These compounds are something of a mystery because they have incredible benefits on one hand and potentially major drawbacks on the other. For example, saponins might interfere with digestion and cause issues when ingested . However, these are some of the same compounds that benefit the circulatory system.
Thats why its important to listen to your body if you start taking any new supplement and experience major digestion issues, it may be a sign that it isnt for you. Of course, any new supplement regimen should be undertaken with supervision of a doctor/naturopath you trust.
At least one report has recorded an incident of a woman with diabetes developing ketoacidosis a potentially fatal complication for diabetic patients after using butchers broom.
Again, make sure that you are under medical care from a qualified physician/naturopath, and dont try to treat serious medical conditions at home without their direction.
Butchers Broom Key Points
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Can You Use Butchers Broom For Hemorrhoids
Butchers broom root contains neoruscogenin and saponin glycoside ruscogenin, both have been found to cause veins to contract and have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. This led to the use of Butchers Broom for hemorrhoids.
Patients that used butchers broom for hemorrhoids showed significant improvement in the following symptoms after 7 days:
- overall severity
Pregnant women often suffer from hemorrhoids and treatment with surgery is very difficult. Butchers broom caused an improvement in hemorrhoids symptoms with a high level of safety and no side effects on the baby.
The use of butchers broom for hemorrhoids has been approved by the following institutions:
- The German Commission E: approved the use of butchers broom rhizome extract for hemorrhoids
- European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy : approved the use solid or liquid extracts of dried butchers broom rhizome for hemorrhoids.
- European Pharmacopoeia: approved the use of butchers broom as a traditional herbal medicinal product for hemorrhoids.
Potential Benefits Of Butchers Broom
1. Combats circulatory disorders, such as chronic venous insufficiency
Butchers broom helps contract the veins and allows blood to return to the heart. Studies report that the butchers broom significantly reduces tension and swelling around the lower legs and ankles in adults with CVI.
2. Helps reduce inflammation
Chronic and long-lasting inflammation can cause health problems and increases the risk of certain diseases. Ruscogenin in butchers broom has anti-inflammatory effects and helps suppress inflammatory signals and markers, thus potentially preventing the damage caused by inflammation.
3. Relieves symptoms of orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is a common problem seen in older adults in which there is a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up too quickly. It is characterized by lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, and nausea and occurs due to age-related weakening of the normal reflexes.
Butchers broom helps constrict veins, preventing the symptoms of OH.
4. Reduces the risk of hemorrhoids
Though evidence is lacking to support this claim, butchers broom is used in alternative medicine to treat hemorrhoids and other vascular conditions because it helps reduce swelling and promotes veins contraction.
One case of a woman with diabetes reported that butchers broom triggered an incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal condition characterized by high levels of compounds called ketones in the blood.
Recommended Reading: How To Naturally Shrink Hemorrhoids
May Reduce Symptoms Of Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension a sudden drop in blood pressure that happens when you stand up too quickly is a frequent problem in older adults .
Common symptoms of OH include lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness and nausea.
Normally, your reflexes counter this effect by constricting blood vessels in your lower body. However, these reflexes appear to weaken with age, which may cause OH.
Because butchers broom helps constrict veins, it may prevent mild cases of OH .
However, there are no human studies on butchers broom and OH. Such research is needed before recommendations can be made.
Can You Use Butchers Broom For Vertigo
Since it causes the veins to constrict, Butchers broom can be used for Vertigo caused by the following health conditions:
- Menieres disease: a disease of the inner ear.
- Orthostatic hypotension: sudden low blood pressure when getting up too quickly from a sitting position.
In the video below, Leading Health Expert Karlene Karst from National Nutrition Professional Supplement Reviews, gives us a 3-minute professional supplement review on Butchers Broom highlighting some of the helpful benefits it has like supporting inflammation, decreased fluid buildup in the body and more.
This is our recommended Butchers Broom supplement :
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Background: Butchers Broom Is The Common Name For A Small Evergreen Shrub Called Ruscus Aculeatus
BACKGROUND:Butcher’s broom is the common name for a small evergreen shrub called Ruscus aculeatus. The name developed because in the Mediterranean areas where the plant is native, butchers used its branches to scrub their chopping blocks clean. The shrub is unrelated to other plants with similar names such as Scotch broom and Spanish broom.
Butchers broom is an interesting plant in that it does not have leaves. Instead, it produces small, flattened green branches that look like leaves. The many bright, red berries that it carries throughout the autumn make it an attractive ornamental plant.
Treatments have ranged from praying to St Fiachra an Irish seventh-century monk who is said to have been miraculously healed of his haemorrhoids to injecting half a pint of cold spring water into the rectum. Much remains unknown about their cause and how best to treat them.
EVIDENCE FROM STUDIES
Interest in using butchers broom for haemorrhoids developed from its reputation for affecting blood vessels. Extracts of the roots and rhizomes contain a number of plant steroids, which were shown to constrict blood vessels in laboratory experiments. Other components were shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. Case studies reported that butchers broom helped people with varicose veins, where underlying problems with faulty veins are also believed to be involved in haemorrhoids.
PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS
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How Does Butchers Broom Work
Butchers broom has two primary active saponin compounds: ruscogenin and neoruscogenin. These work in the following ways:
- Causes narrowing of the blood vessels
- Improves the strength and tone of the veins
- Improves blood circulation in the legs
- Strengthens capillary walls
- Exerts a mild anti-inflammatory effect
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What Is The Butchers Broom Dosage For Hemorrhoids
The Butchers Broom dosage for Hemorrhoids depends on the medication used:
- Cyclo 3 Fort: 6 capsules daily for 3 days, followed by 4 capsules daily for 4 days.
- Fabroven: 3 to 12 capsules daily for 3 days, divided in 3 doses. In some cases, followed by 4 capsules daily divided in 2 doses.
Fabroven and Cyclo 3 Fort both have a combination of ruscus extract, hesperidin methyl chalcone and ascorbic acid . In a study, 124 patients were given Cyclo 3 Fort. After these 7 days of treatment, the results were the following:
- 69% of the patients rated butchers broom as having a good or excellent effect
- 75% of the treating physicians rated it similarly
Benefits Of Butcher’s Broom For Improving Circulation
Butcher’s broom might sound like an object rather than a plant, but it’s actually an herb used to improve circulation and for other health benefits. It’s been used for hundreds and probably thousands of years in herbal medicine.
Butcher’s broom has been most often used as a diuretic and blood vessel toner. The root is approved for use by the German Commission E to treat chronic venous insufficiency, giving it status as a highly effective herb.
Here’s more about the benefits of butcher’s broom, how to use it, and any precautions you need to know.
Recommended Reading: How To Heal Hemorrhoids On The Inside
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Vasoconstrictors With Rusco: What We Have Selected For You
Compared to all the Butchers Broom sold on the market, an eye to the titration is essential in order not to disregard the claimed properties! As for the problem of swollen legs, we at Erboristeriacomo.it offer you Butchers Broom Plus, with rusco rhizome dry extract tit. min. 10% in total ruscogenins such as ruscogenin, virginian witch hazel leaves dry extract E / D 1: 4, officinal sweet clover dry extract tit. min. 0.5% in total coumarins, Myrto Pure 36 .
As for the treatment of hemorrhoidsFitoproct is our supplement, to be associated if needed with the medical device external hemorrhoid cream, based on phytocomplexes of butchers broom and bilberry such as Rusco Compound plus and chestnut.
To them, if you want to associate some specific bud extractives, for hemorrhoids we generally recommend sorbus domestica and horse chesnut.
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Heal Hemorrhoids Naturally In 48 Hours
If you have tried “everything” to treat hemorrhoids, including surgery, but it didnt workyourre not alone. Jessica Wright experienced this same hardship due to hemorrhoids. But, with extensive research and understanding of natural medicine, she developed a solution to permanently end her hemorrhoids.
Jessica Wright wrote an entire book detailing exactly how to replicate her success. Also, it appears “Jessica Wright” is probably a pen name for a womanand authornamed Linda Allen. Linda suffered from recurrent yeast infections as well, maybe at the same time as she had hemorrhoids. She turned to natural medicine for answers when medical doctors and their solutions could not help.
Jessicas story is one of severe and chronic hemorrhoids. It involves routine doctors visits, prescription medications / creams, significant suffering from hemorrhoids, and even a two hour hemorrhoids surgery . Yet, 12 years of these treatments didnt resolve Jessicas hemorrhoids.
Despite these setbacks, Jessica didnt give up instead, she turned to natural medicine and diligent research. Skipping to the end of Jessicas story, she would develop a natural method to treat hemorrhoids that worked brilliantly.
After Jessica put together her treatment protocol and used it, she found her hemorrhoids completely disappeared. And, they stayed gone. Something her doctor was not able to do. Yet, all it took was the right natural therapeutic approach.
Ruscogenin In Butchers Broom Is Anti
A 2018 study in Journal of Chemical Metrology determined the ruscogenin content in butchers broom rhizomes .
The study took butchers broom rhizomes from 18 different locations in the Marmara region of Turkey. These rhizomes were tested for ruscogenin content. The study found the ruscogenin content ranged from 0.505% to about 1.50%. Seven of these rhizome samples had ruscogenin content over 1.0%.
HomeGrown Herbalist Herb Shoppe
Owner of HomeGrown Herbalist Dr. Patrick Jones is a practicing veterinarian, Clinical Herbalist, and traditional naturopath. He owns and operates Fairview Animal Hospital in Buhl, ID.
Their herb shoppe provides herbs, essential oils, and tools. If you have some time, check it out!
HomeGrown Herbalist Herb Shoppe
Owner of HomeGrown Herbalist Dr. Patrick Jones is a practicing veterinarian, Clinical Herbalist, and traditional naturopath. He owns and operates Fairview Animal Hospital in Buhl, ID.
Their herb shoppe provides herbs, essential oils, and tools. If you have some time, check it out!Learn More
A 2008 study in the Journal of Pharmacological Sciences analyzed the anti-inflammatory activity of ruscogenin. The study reports that ruscogenin was first isolated from butchers broom and this compound has anti-inflammatory activity. Ruscogenin is also an anti-elastase ), reduces capillary permeability, and has been a popular treatment for chronic venous insufficiency and vasculitis in Europe for over 40 years.
Claire Goodalls Amazing Guide
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