Stinging butcher’s broom is one of the medicinal plants. Medicinally, its root can be used.
Occurrence and cultivation of the stinging butcher’s broom.
In 2002, the stinging butcher’s broom was chosen as the medicinal plant of the year. Stinging butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a plant that belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The plant is also known as thorn myrtle or prickly butcher’s broom. In 2002, butcher’s broom was chosen as the medicinal plant of the year. The butcher’s broom is an evergreen plant. It can reach a height of between 20 and 80 centimeters. Sometimes it grows up to 90 centimeters. The leathery leaves of the plant are equipped with a piercing tip. They have a length of two to three millimeters. Butcher’s broom is distinguished between female and male specimens. Its flowering period takes place in the months of March to May. From the flowers emerge red berries, which have the shape of a ball. They thrive between August and March and are considered poisonous. The stinging butcher’s broom grows in the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe and extends from Spain to the south of Russia. However, the medicinal plant can also be found in Hungary, Romania and England. In Germany, however, it does not occur. Butcher’s broom thrives best on rocky and dry soils, slopes and bushes.
Effect and application
For medicinal use, the root of the stinging butcher’s broom is used. Its active ingredients are helpful against numerous venous disorders. Thus, they provide strengthening of the venous supporting tissue by reducing or even stopping elastin degradation. In addition, the muscle cells of the veins can be strengthened by taking Ruscus extracts, which in turn strengthen the tone of the vein walls and begin to narrow the blood vessels. In this way, more blood can be transported towards the heart again. The active ingredients of butcher’s broom also improve the activity of the lymphatic vessels. Water that accumulates in the vessels can thus be pumped out and transported more easily. In addition, Ruscus extracts have an anti-inflammatory effect, which primarily affects inflammatory edema. Furthermore, antibiotic effects are attributed to stinging butcher’s broom. Thus, the medicinal plant is able to slow down the growth of different types of bacteria. The aqueous extract of butcher’s broom can also be used against fungi such as Candida albicans. The most important active ingredients of the herb are steroid saponins such as ruscin, ruscogenin and ruscoside, as well as triterpenes and phytosterols. Butcher’s broom is usually taken in the form of ready-to-use preparations. They are available in pharmacies and drugstores and contain components of the butcher’s broom root. The medicines have 7 to 11 milligrams of total ruscogenins, which have a positive effect on vein complaints. In order to use the root components for the preparations, a dry extract in tablets or capsules is used. It is also possible to take butcher’s broom as a tea. For this purpose, the patient adds one teaspoon of the root to 250 milliliters of cold water. After boiling, the tea must steep for 5 to 10 minutes and is then drunk twice a day. The treatment usually takes several months. The prickly butcher’s broom can also be used externally. For this purpose, a cream is prepared, which is composed of butcher’s broom tincture and an oil extract. It is suitable for the treatment of hemorrhoids, spider veins and varicose veins. People used the berries of butcher’s broom in earlier times as a laxative However, due to their mild toxicity, they are no longer used in the present.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
As a medicinal plant, the stinging butcher’s broom was already appreciated in ancient times. Thus, it was once used to treat bladder stones, kidney ailments and jaundice. In addition, butcher’s broom was used as a diaphoretic and diuretic. Europeans also used the herb to treat abdominal pain and constipation. However, a positive effect on jaundice could not be confirmed by modern medicine. On the other hand, the positive effect of the plant on chronic venous insufficiency, which is associated with heavy legs, pain, cramps in the calves at night, water retention in the tissues and itching, is recognized. Thus, butcher’s broom is now even considered a classic for the treatment of venous disorders.Commission E classified the medicinal plant as anti-inflammatory, venous tonic, diuretic and capillary sealing. Another proven application is the treatment of hemorrhoids, which cause unpleasant burning and itching. It usually takes several weeks before the first positive effects of the use of stinging butcher’s broom become apparent. The medicinal plant is also helpful in combating inflammatory changes in the skin that occur as a result of venous disorders. Thus, butcher’s broom preparations can be used to prevent skin infections. Another area of application of butcher’s broom is premenstrual syndrome. It occurs in women and leads to pain in the breast, feelings of tension and water retention. Traditional medicine has long recommended butcher’s broom for the treatment of menstrual cramps. Another great advantage of butcher’s broom is its good stomach tolerance compared to horse chestnut extract. Thus, it serves as an effective alternative for people who experience stomach problems and nausea after treatment with horse chestnut. Side effects are rarely observed after taking stinging butcher’s broom. These include primarily nausea and stomach discomfort. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid butcher’s broom preparations.
