What Is Butcher’s Broom Good For? Uses & Benefits

Butcher’s broom belongs to the Ruscaceae family and has flat, leaf-like branches (cladophylls), red berries, and greenish-white flowers in the late winter and spring. The shoots are edible, similar to asparagus.

The shrub got its name from the fact that it was traditionally harvested by butchers to make small brooms that were used for sweeping and cleaning butchering blocks.

The root-like rhizomes and young stems of the butcher's broom plant are used medicinally for conditions such as:

• Hemorrhoids
• Gallstones
• Kidney stones
• Constipation
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Lymphedema
• Symptoms of poor blood circulation, such as
  • Leg cramps or swelling
  • Varicose veins

Butcher’s broom has two primary active saponin compounds: ruscogenin and neoruscogenin. These work in the following ways:

• Causes narrowing of the blood vessels
• Improves the strength and tone of the veins
• Improves blood circulation in the legs
• Strengthens capillary walls
• Increases lymphatic flow
• Exerts a mild anti-inflammatory effect

1. Combats circulatory disorders, such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

Butcher’s broom helps contract the veins and allows blood to return to the heart. Studies report that the butcher’s broom significantly reduces tension and swelling around the lower legs and ankles in adults with CVI.

2. Helps reduce inflammation

Chronic and long-lasting inflammation can cause health problems and increases the risk of certain diseases. Ruscogenin in butcher’s broom has anti-inflammatory effects and helps suppress inflammatory signals and markers, thus potentially preventing the damage caused by inflammation.

3. Relieves symptoms of orthostatic hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common problem seen in older adults in which there is a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up too quickly. It is characterized by lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, and nausea and occurs due to age-related weakening of the normal reflexes.

Butcher’s broom helps constrict veins, preventing the symptoms of OH.

4. Reduces the risk of hemorrhoids

Though evidence is lacking to support this claim, butcher’s broom is used in alternative medicine to treat hemorrhoids and other vascular conditions because it helps reduce swelling and promotes veins contraction.

Butcher’s broom appears to be safe for most people with little to no side effects. If side effects do occur, however, they may include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhea

One case of a woman with diabetes reported that butcher’s broom triggered an incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal condition characterized by high levels of compounds called ketones in the blood.

Butcher’s broom may also reduce the absorption of minerals (especially zinc and iron) because it contains saponins which are plant compounds that can act as anti-nutrients.

Butcher’s broom is not recommended for the following:

• Children
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People taking kidney or blood pressure medications

There is no official recommended safe dose for butcher’s broom. However, the following doses appear to be most effective in studies:

• Dried root: 1.5-3 grams per day
• Pills or capsules: 200 mg 2-3 times a day
• Liquid extracts or tinctures: 3-6 mL per day

Capsule supplements often contain a combination of butcher’s broom (150 mg of dried extract), hesperidin methyl chalcone, and ascorbic acid.

It is best to consult your doctor before taking supplements.