Products
Butcher’s broom is available in pharmacies and drugstores as a gel (e.g., Alpinamed Ruscovarin), in capsule form, and as a medicinal drug.
Stem plant
Butcher’s broom L. belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
Medicinal drug
Butcher’s broom (Rusci aculeati rhizoma) is used as medicinal raw material, the dried, whole or crushed underground parts of L. Powder and extracts are obtained from the medicinal raw material (Rusci aculeati extractum).
Ingredients
The ingredients include:
- Steroid saponins: ruscogenins: ruscogenin, neoruscogenin,
- Sterols, sterol glycosides.
- Essential oil
Effects
- Vein tonic
- Capillary sealing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diuretic
Indications
- Chronic venous insufficiency: varicose veins, pain, feeling of heaviness, swollen legs, calf cramps.
- Blunt sports injuries
- For scar care
- Butcher’s broom is also said to be suitable externally for the treatment of rosacea. However, the gel is not approved in many countries in this indication and according to our research for this application is not sufficiently studied scientifically.
Dosage
According to the package insert of the finished medicinal products.
Contraindications
The gel should not be used in cases of hypersensitivity, on open, bleeding wounds and on mucous membranes. Some gels contain heparins and should not be used if there is a tendency to bleed. Refer to the drug label for complete precautions.
Interactions
Interactions with other drugs are not known to date.
Adverse effects
Skin irritation and redness may rarely occur with topical use. Gastrointestinal discomfort is possible when taken internally.