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Botanical plate of butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) showing leaf-like cladodes, flowers and red berries.

© Jacob Sturm (J. Sturm), Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen, 1821 · Public domain (PD-old-70-expired) · Commons

Butcher's broom

Caution

Stechender Mäusedorn · (Ruscus aculeatus)

Asparagus family (Asparagaceae)

Description

Butcher's broom is a low, evergreen, stiff dioecious shrub reaching 20 to 80 (rarely 90) centimetres in height. Instead of true leaves it bears flattened, leaf-like shoots (cladodes) each ending in a sharp spine tip. The small, inconspicuous greenish flowers sit singly on the surface of the cladodes; on female plants they develop into bright red berries about 1 centimetre across. The medicinal part is the underground rhizome (Rusci rhizoma). This drought-tolerant species grows on warm, dry, stony slopes and in open woodland around the Mediterranean, and is valued as an evergreen dry-shade shrub.

  • TinctureRhizomeInternalTraditional use

    Traditional herbal medicine to relieve discomfort and heaviness of the legs related to minor venous circulatory disturbances (chronic venous insufficiency). The ruscogenins are attributed vein-toning, capillary-sealing and anti-inflammatory properties.

    Preparation & dosage

    Traditionally taken as a standardised dry extract or as dried powdered rhizome (350 mg three times daily). Commercial products are standardised to ruscogenins (total of ruscogenin and neoruscogenin); the recommended daily dose provides about 7 to 11 mg of ruscogenins. If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult a doctor.

    Dry amount
    0.35–0.35 g
    Doses per day
    3×
    Max duration
    2 weeks

    [#ema_monograph] [#wikipedia_de] [#escop]

  • TinctureRhizomeInternalTraditional use

    Traditional herbal medicine for the symptomatic relief of itching and burning associated with haemorrhoids. Its use is based exclusively on long-standing experience.

    Preparation & dosage

    For the symptomatic relief of itching and burning associated with haemorrhoids, after a doctor has ruled out serious conditions. Taken internally as a standardised dry extract or dried powdered rhizome (350 mg three times daily, providing about 7 to 11 mg ruscogenins per day). If rectal bleeding occurs, consult a doctor.

    Dry amount
    0.35–0.35 g
    Doses per day
    3×
    Max duration
    2 weeks

    ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — For use in adults only; there is no relevant indication for children and adolescents.

    [#ema_monograph] [#wikipedia_en]

🤝 Permaculture Partners

In your garden, this plant acts as:

Medicinal Ground Cover Shade Provider

More from this family · Asparagus family

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