Butcher's broom
Ruscus aculeatus
Herbs & Roots. Western & European.
Also called Knee holly, Box holly
Spanish: Rusco
Not well studied in pregnancyA spiny evergreen shrub whose rhizome (underground stem) is used in European vein and hemorrhoid products.
Did you know? The 'leaves' of butcher's broom are flattened stems, called cladodes, and its tiny flowers grow in the middle of them.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Heart health. A few small older trials, including one in 166 women with leg swelling, suggest it may help. One early trial tested a mix with other ingredients, so the plant's own effect is unclear.Early proof
- Pain & headaches. Traditional use for hemorrhoid pain and itching. No controlled human trials for hemorrhoids were found.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
European folk herbalists used the root for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and leg swelling. The name is said to come from butchers who swept their blocks with its stiff twigs.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Circulatory, Diuretic. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Usually taken as a capsule or tincture, or applied as a cream for hemorrhoids. No standard human dose is set for the plant alone.
Capsule, tincture and topical.
Where to get it
Grows wild in dry woods and hedges around the Mediterranean and across parts of Europe. Roots are dug and dried for extracts, sold as capsules, tinctures, and creams, mainly in Europe.
Be careful
Usually mild side effects, such as stomach upset, nausea, or headache. Allergic reactions are rare. Safety in pregnancy and children has not been studied well, so avoid use without advice.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are used in European vein formulas for leg swelling and heaviness.
- Works well together
Both are used for weak veins in some European products. Proof is limited.
The honest take
Human evidence for butcher's broom alone is thin. It is usually sold in mixes with horse chestnut or other vein herbs, so it is hard to tell what works. Talk with a doctor if swelling, bleeding, or hemorrhoid symptoms last.