Butcher's Broom Standardized Extract
COMMON NAME
Butcher's Broom
LATIN NAME
Ruscus aculeatus L.
ORIGIN
Europe (wild)
PART OF PLANT USED
Rhizome
DESCRIPTION
Butcher's Broom is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region and a member of the Lily family. The plant derives its name from the use of the stiff twigs as brushes by butchers for their cutting blocks. The rhizome of this plant has been used since the ancient times of the Greeks for many circulatory disorders. Greek Doctors treated swelling and varicose veins with Butcher's Broom.
HISTORICAL USES
Proctology:
hemorrhoids, proctitis, pruritus ani (anal itching), anal fissures
Phlebology:
varicose veins, varices, chilblains, "heavy legs", surface veins, post-thrombotic syndrome, venous circulatory disorders
Ophthalmology:
diabetic retinopathy, retinal hemorrhages
Gynecology:
menstrual problems, troubles with taking estrogens, cramps of pregnancy, varicose veins of pregnancy
ACTIVE PROPERTIES
Butcher's broom extract was found to possess vasoconstrictive and anti-inflammatory properties. The herb is used in European medicine for venous circulatory disorders and hemorrhoidal problems. Many European women use Butcher's Broom to reduce capillary fragility and to help prevent edema in the legs after standing all day. Others have used the herb for varicose veins, particularly during pregnancy.
ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
Ruscogenins (saponin glycosides)
PHARMACOLOGY
Butcher's Broom contains saponin glycosides called rusco-genins. Research has shown that these ruscogenins possess vasoconstrictive and anti-inflammatory properties. These active ingredients reduce the fragility and permeability of capillaries and constrict the veins. These plant saponin glycosides are the starter compounds for important steroid compounds in the human body.
TOXICITY, CAUTIONS & CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Occasional allergy-induced nausea or gastritis
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
150 mg./day internal. Can be used externally as poultice, ointment or suppository
PROCESSING
Extraction with hydromethanolic solution.
STANDARD
10% ruscogenins from whole Butcher's Broom
ANALYSIS STANDARDIZED EXTRACT
| Determination | Results |
| Spectrophotometric Contents | 10.0% |
| of sapponins calculated as ruscogenins | |
| Appearance | Light Brown powder |
| Characteristics | complies |
| TLC ID | complies |
| pH (c=5, alcohol [60% v/v]) | 5.4 |
| Loss on drying (T=105C, t=3h) | 4.56 |
| Sulfated Ash | 5.96% |
| Heavy Metals | complies |
| Total residual organic solvents | 0.56% |
| Ethanol | .415% |
| Methanol | 0.05% |
| Isopropanol | 0.02% |
| Cyclohexane | 0.075 ppm |
| Other solvents | <50.0 ppm |
| Total Aerobic | <1000.0cfu/g |
| fungi | <100.0 cfu/g |
| Staph. aureus, salmonella | absent |
| coliforms | absent |
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Capra, C. (1972) Studio farmacologico e tossicologico di componenti del ruscus aculeatus L. Fitoterapia. 43:99.
Chabanon, R. (1976) Experimentation du Proctolog dans les hemorroides et les fissures anales. Gaz. Med. De France. 83:3013.
Mowrey, D. (1990) Guaranteed Potency Herbs. A Compilation of writings on the subject.
Tyler, V.E. et al.(1988) Pharmacognosy, 9th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger.
Weiner, M. (1990) Weiner's Herbal. Mill Valley: Quantum Books.
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