Butcher’s Broom

Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a small native European shrub whose roots are used for the discomforts of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), such as pain and heaviness, as well as for cramps in the legs, itching and swelling, for supportive therapy for haemorrhoids, such as itching and burning, premenstrual syndrome and diabetic retinopathy. 

The common name, butcher’s broom, came from European butchers who used the stems to clean their cutting boards, not only because they were stiff and solid, but also because the essential oil had antibacterial properties. Greek physicians used butcher’s broom to treat kidney stones. In the 17th century the English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper used butcher’s broom to help the healing of fractured bones. 

While not recent, there are a small number of human studies on butcher’s broom investigating its effect on lower leg oedema in patients with CVI. In one 2002 randomised, placebo-controlled trial 148 women, who had confirmed CVI for up to 15 years, were given butcher’s broom extract or placebo for three months. The authors concluded that butcher’s broom is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from CVI with efficacy being significantly better for the butcher’s broom extract compared to placebo. There were significant differences between the butcher’s broom group and placebo for the change of leg volume after eight and 12 weeks of treatment, for changes in ankle and leg circumferences after eight and 12 weeks of treatment, and for the changes in subjective symptoms such as heavy tired legs and a sensation of tension.