Butcher’s broom, which goes by the scientific name Ruscus aculeatus is a small evergreen plant, native to Western Europe. Known for its tough branches, it was believed that butchers would bundle their branches to sweep off hard-chopped blocks of meat, hence the uncanny name. The herb extracts have been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years. Its root as well as its rootstock are prized in holistic medicine forms as they contain various active compounds, including flavonoids and many other antioxidants that promise several health benefits besides proving beneficial against improper blood circulation and hemorrhoids.
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Health Benefits Of Butcher’s Broom
The herb promises ample wellness incentives that make it a sought-after herb. Some of them are:
Helps To Lower Inflammation
Constant inflammation in the body can cause several health problems thus increasing the risk of many more diseases too. Butcher’s broom has many effective compounds such as ruscogenin that may help suppress inflammatory signals besides also treating damage caused by mild to severe swelling.
Cures Poor Blood Circulation
Butcher’s broom treats conditions that affect blood circulation. One such painful condition in which the veins in the legs struggle to deliver blood back to your heart is chronic venous insufficiency. Several compounds present in butcher’s broom allow the blood to return to the heart and help combat this health problem.
Reduces Symptoms of Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure which can occur when you stand up abruptly. Since our reflexes also weaken with age, it may also cause orthostatic hypotension causing lightheadedness, dizziness, and nausea. Owing to the presence of many components, butcher’s broom helps constrict veins and may prevent events of orthostatic hypotension.
Decreases The Risk of Hemorrhoids
In older adults, hemorrhoids are a common health concern. Butcher’s broom is used in alternative medicine to treat hemorrhoids and other vascular conditions like varicose veins that occur when veins get twisted, enlarged, or swollen. Butcher’s broom can help decrease the discomfort of hemorrhoids and varicose veins due to its strong therapeutic properties.
Soothes Cramps
Since the butcher’s herb has benefits that aid circulation, the herb is often used to alleviate cramps. It can significantly reduce tension and swelling in cramps, lower legs, and ankles.
Also Read: Marjoram: Health Benefits, Uses, Recipe And Side Effects Of This Aromatic Herb
Dosage Recommendations
There is no preset recommended dosage for butcher’s broom as it appears to be safe. But you must speak with your doctor before taking the herb, more so if you are on blood pressure or heart-related medications. Dosages may vary by underlying health condition. However, the following doses are known to be safe and effective:
- Dried root: 1 to 2 grams per day
- Tablets: 200 mg 2–3 times per day
- Liquid extracts and tinctures: 3–6 ml per day of a 1:2 herb-to-liquid ratio
DIY For Butcher’s Broom Tea
Here is a simple tea recipe that can be tried from this herb if you are planning to use its extracts.
- Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 teaspoon of dried butcher’s tea leaves
- If using a tea bag, place 1 tea bag for a single serving into the teapot
- Let it steep for 10 minutes in a closed teapot with a clean cloth.
- Strain out the herb extracts from the decoction
- Add milk and sugar to taste
- Drink it warm
Side Effects
Butcher's broom has no serious contraindications but in some rare cases, it can cause a stomach upset or nausea. Also, a butcher’s broom is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating women. People taking kidney or blood pressure medication should also consult their doctor before taking extracts of butcher’s broom. Moreover, butcher’s broom does contain saponins, plant compounds that can act as antinutrients and may reduce the absorption of certain minerals, such as zinc and iron which may cause anemia and zinc deficiency.
