Introduction of Butcher's Broom:Box holly or Pettigree.
✵The article gives records of the herb Butcher's Broom, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source plant species, ①.Ruscus aculeatus L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Butcher's Broom, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Butcher's Broom(pettigree).
English Name: Butcher's Broom.
Latin Name: Ruscus aculeatus L.
Common Names: Box holly, pettigree, Sweet broom, etc.
Property and flavor:
Brief introduction: Butcher's Broom is traditionally used for hemorrhoids and poor leg circulation, varicose vein syndrome, it is the dried succulent root and rhizome of Ruscus aculeatus.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Butcher's Broom as the succulent rootstock of the species (1). Ruscus aculeatus L. It is a plant species of the Ruscus genus, the Liliaceae family (lily family). The dried succulent rootstock and the rhizome are used medicinally. This commonly used species is introduced:
(1).Ruscus aculeatus L.
Botanical description: Ruscus aculeatus rhizome is transverse and thick. Stems are multi-branched, longitudinal, dark green, and 20~80 cm high. Leaf-shaped branches are ovate, 1.5~3.5 cm long and 1~2.5 cm wide, the apex is tapered into a needle with a length of 1~2 mm, and the base is tapered into a short stalk, and it is often twisted, entire, with midrib and multiple lateral veins.
Flowers are white, 1~2 flowers grow on the lower part of the midvein on the surface of the phylloclade (leafy branch); Bracts are scarious, 2 mm long; Perianth is about 1.5~3 mm long. Berries are red, about 1 cm in diameter. Its flowering period is from January to April and fruiting from September to November.
Ecological environment: Ruscus aculeatus is native to northern Africa and Europe, and Western Asia, it is also introduced and cultivated in other countries.
Growth characteristics: Ruscus aculeatus prefers the warm, humid, and sunny environment, is slightly shade-tolerant, has strong adaptability to the environment, and is resistant to cold and drought. No watering for several days will cause plant death. Better avoid strong light, the plant requires slightly acidic sandy loam.
Characters of herbs: Butcher's broom is the dried rhizome and root of Ruscus aculeatus.
Pharmacological actions: ①.constrict veins; ②.relieve varicose-vein problems and chronic venous insufficiency; ③.antagonistic effect; ④.antiphlogistic; ⑤.diuretic; etc.
Related studies identified the herb constricts veins in animals from its steroidal-type compounds, this was applied for symptoms of venous disorders in experiments and got general improvement in individuals with chronic venous insufficiency, reduced swelling, numbness and tingling, itching, and sensations of heaviness and cramping; Studies in Europe proposed the herb could increase venous tone and an electrolytelike reaction on the cell wall of capillaries, and found it is antiphlogistic and diuretic.
Medicinal efficacy: Traditionally the herb butcher's broom was used for hemorrhoids and poor leg circulation, varicose vein syndrome, it is still recommended by today's herbalists for reducing water retention and related swelling in the hands and feet, improving circulation, eliminating inflammation of arthritis and rheumatism. Due to its related experiment study being short of conclusive results, FDA did not approve butcher's broom as a treatment for venous disorders. In Europe, it was approved in German for hemorrhoids and venous conditions, and advised for chronic venous insufficiency conditions including pain and heaviness, cramps in the legs, itching, and swelling, also for hemorrhoid complaints including itching and burning.
Administration of Butcher's Broom (pettigree):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Butcher's Broom (pettigree)
Herbal classic books:
Preparations and saps are used internally. The herb is normally recommended in Europe at a dosage equivalent to 7~11 mg of total ruscogenin, ruscogenin is determined as the sum of neoruscogenin and ruscogenin obtained after fermentation or acid hydrolysis.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: The safety of butcher's broom is not well known by scientists, but in related studies, there is no toxicity ever reported, authorities in Europe concluded no health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated dosage. But negative effects such as stomach complaints and queasiness can occur in rare cases.
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References:
1.Introduction of Butcher's Broom:Box holly or Pettigree.
✵The article gives records of the herb Butcher's Broom, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source plant species, ①.Ruscus aculeatus L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Butcher's Broom, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
English Name: Butcher's Broom.
Botanical description: Ruscus aculeatus rhizome is transverse and thick. Stems are multi-branched, longitudinal, dark green, and 20~80 cm high. Leaf-shaped branches are ovate, 1.5~3.5 cm long and 1~2.5 cm wide, the apex is tapered into a needle with a length of 1~2 mm, and the base is tapered into a short stalk, and it is often twisted, entire, with midrib and multiple lateral veins.
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