Butcher's broom (ruscus aculeatus)
Synopsis
Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a small evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean and parts of Europe, traditionally used to support circulatory and venous health. The rhizome (underground stem) is the medicinal part, valued for its ability to tighten and tone blood vessels, reduce swelling, and relieve symptoms of poor circulation, especially in the legs, veins, and hemorrhoidal tissue.
Its primary active compounds include:
- Ruscogenins – steroidal saponins responsible for vasoconstrictive, anti-inflammatory, and venotonic effects
- Flavonoids and coumarins – support capillary integrity and blood flow
- Trace amounts of essential oils and alkaloids
Butcher’s broom is used to:
- Improve circulation in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), reducing symptoms like leg heaviness, swelling, varicose veins, and night cramps
- Relieve hemorrhoids by decreasing inflammation and promoting venous tone
- Support lymphatic drainage and reduce water retention
- Act as a mild anti-inflammatory, particularly for vascular and pelvic congestion
- Complement treatment in orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing)
It is commonly taken as a standardized extract in capsules or tablets, or as a tea or tincture, often in combination with horse chestnut, gotu kola, or bioflavonoids for vascular support.
Historical Use:
The name “butcher’s broom” comes from its traditional use in Europe as a broom made from the stiff, spiny branches to clean butcher’s blocks. Medicinally, the herb was used since ancient Greece and Rome, where it was prescribed for urinary complaints, jaundice, and swelling in the legs.
In European folk medicine, butcher’s broom was a favored remedy for circulatory weakness, particularly varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and pelvic congestion. It was often included in remedies for “lazy veins” and chronic leg discomfort associated with prolonged standing or poor vascular tone.
Modern clinical research has confirmed many of these traditional uses, especially for chronic venous insufficiency, making butcher’s broom a well-regarded botanical in vascular and lymphatic health protocols.
Today, it is used in natural venous support formulas, post-surgery swelling management, and as part of comprehensive approaches to leg health, hemorrhoidal relief, and vascular integrity, particularly in aging populations or those with sedentary lifestyles.
Uses: Health Conditions
Edema (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Body Systems
Veins (Traditional)
Capillaries (Science)
Rectum (Traditional)