* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Butcher's Broom Ruscus aculeatus L.
Family: Asparagaceae.
Other Names: Petit houx (French); Stechender Mäusedorn (German); pungitopo (Italian).
Description: The plant is an evergreen perennial (up to 1 m), with peculiar leaflike, leathery branches or false leaves called phylloclades. Small, greenish flowers are borne on the phylloclades and the attractive fruits are bright red, fleshy berries.
Origin: Western Europe and Mediterranean region to western Asia; commonly grown in gardens. Butchers in Europe formerly used the branches as brooms, hence the common name.
Parts Used: Sliced and dried rhizome and root (Rusci aculeati rhizoma).
Uses and Properties: Extracts are used to treat the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (varicose veins), such as swelling, itching, pain and heaviness. It is also considered to be effective in relieving the discomfort of haemorrhoids (itching, burning) and is included in proprietary preparations for both oral and topical use. Butcher's broom is a traditional diuretic and is said to be mildly laxative.
Preparation and Dosage: Extracts, equivalent to a daily dose of 7 - 11 mg ruscogenin, are taken orally.
Active Ingredients: The activity of the product is ascribed to steroidal saponins (up to 6% of dry weight). The main saponins are ruscin (monodesmosidic spirostane type) and ruscoside (bidesmosidic furostane type), that co-occur with the corresponding aglycones ruscogenin (1-beta-hydroxydiosgenin) and neoruscogenin.
Pharmacological Effects: Experiments have shown that extracts of butcher's broom are associated with the stimulation of the alpha-adrenengic receptors of the smooth muscle cells in the vascular wall. In this way, dilated venous vessels are supported and strengthened. Ruscogenin and related compounds are used in ointments and suppositories for the symptomatic relief of pain and discomfort associated with varicose veins and acute attacks of piles. The Ruscus saponins are known to be absorbed when taken orally and are included in combination products intended for oral use against the symptoms of venous and lymphatic vessel insufficiency.
Notes: Figwort or pilewort, Ranunculus ficaria (family Ranunculaceae) is a traditional and effective antihaemorrhoidal treatment. The activity is ascribed to saponins (glycosides of hederagenin and oleanolic acid).
Status: Traditional medicine; Comm. E.+.
The sweet and slightly acrid herb known as butcher's broom, or kneeholly, has been traditionally used for addressing swelling of the legs and feet, urinary obstruction, urinary stones, healing fractures, and opening of the lungs. The herb is known to possess diuretic, diaphoretic, and aperient actions, and it contains ruscogenin and other saponin glycosides similar to those of wild yams.
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Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
Because it may have an adrenergic effect of the veins (causing vascular contraction), caution should be used in the presence of hypertension.
Additional Information
The TerraVita Premium Collection uses only the finest, purest and most potent plant extracts from around the world.
The TerraVita Premium Collection is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
The TerraVita Premium Collection is packed in child-proof, tamper-proof pharmaceutical-grade recyclable containers.
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
