Butcher’s Broom is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean and Africa. Its scientific name is Ruscus aculeatus, but goes by other common names to include Box Holly and Sweet Broom. After at least 2000 years of use in herbal medicine it fell out of favor in the early 20th century until the 1950s when interest in its effect on the body’s veins resurfaced.
Germany’s Commission E, a German group studying herbal remedies, found that Butcher’s Broom is a viable supportive therapy for chronic venous insufficiency, a condition closely related to varicose veins for which it has also been used to treat. Commission E also recommended using it to treat hemorrhoids, another similar condition.
Butcher’s broom has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help with treating arm swelling (lymphedema) following surgery for breast cancer and other procedures.
Often Butcher’s Broom is taken along with Gotu Kola, Horse Chestnut and Witch Hazel.
Further Reading
- NYU article on butcher’s broom
- Treatment of orthostatic hypotension case report
Aug 11th, 2011 at 10:21 am
hi chris
i have varicose veins, i want to treat them naturally, i have made a lot of search and i found that i can take gotu kola,horse chestnut,butcher’s broom and bilberries….
but i dont know should i take them all together?????
thanks a lot for your help
Aug 22nd, 2011 at 4:16 pm
r-
Check out this article on Whole Health MD. They recommend starting out with horse chestnut and butcher’s broom, along with vitamin C with flavonoids. The other herbs you mentioned can be substituted for these. While I haven’t found any information on negative side effects it might simply be unnecessary overkill. Bottom line is everyone’s body is different and everyone has the ability to know what’s best for their own body. Listen to your own system and determine what works best for you.
Sep 6th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
[...] professionals recommend combining it with anti-inflammatories alike Ginger, Stinging Nettle, or Butcher’s Broom. Supplements are now available that combine ginger and stinging nettle into a capsule. While [...]