Butcher’s Broom

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.