Key Constituents

Steroidal saponins (spirostanol and furostanol)^{[5, 10]}

Aglycones ruscogenin and neoruscogenin carry the vasoconstrictive and venotonic activity.

Saponins

Phytosterols and flavonoids^{[5, 6]}

Supporting constituents of the rhizome.

PhytosterolsFlavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-oedematous (reduces swelling)^{[2, 4, 5, 11]}

Anti-oedematous (reduces leg swelling)

Venotonic / vasoprotective^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12]}

Venotonic / vasoconstrictive support for chronic venous insufficiency (heavy, tired, swollen legs and varicose veins) - a meta-analysis of a Ruscus-based combination (with hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C) significantly reduced pain, cramps, heaviness and paraesthesia versus placebo

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Haemorrhoids^{[5, 11]}Traditional · 2/10

Relief of haemorrhoid symptoms

more plants for haemorrhoids →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[5, 11, 12]}Good · 7/10

Venotonic / vasoconstrictive support for chronic venous insufficiency (heavy, tired, swollen legs and varicose veins) - a meta-analysis of a Ruscus-based combination (with hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C) significantly reduced pain, cramps, heaviness and paraesthesia versus placebo

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^{[5, 11, 12]}Good · 7/10

Venotonic / vasoconstrictive support for chronic venous insufficiency (heavy, tired, swollen legs and varicose veins) - a meta-analysis of a Ruscus-based combination (with hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C) significantly reduced pain, cramps, heaviness and paraesthesia versus placebo

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

Swelling / fluid retention^{[5, 11]}Traditional · 2/10

Anti-oedematous (reduces leg swelling)

more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →

Varicose veins^{[5, 11, 12]}Good · 7/10

Venotonic / vasoconstrictive support for chronic venous insufficiency (heavy, tired, swollen legs and varicose veins) - a meta-analysis of a Ruscus-based combination (with hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C) significantly reduced pain, cramps, heaviness and paraesthesia versus placebo

more plants for varicose veins →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[5, 11]}Info

Generally well tolerated; occasional mild gastrointestinal upset is the main reported effect.

Safety note^[5]Caution

Because it is vasoconstrictive, use with caution if you have high blood pressure or take circulatory medicines; safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, so avoid medicinal doses.

References

REF-1553, REF-1554, REF-1555, REF-1556, REF-0424, REF-1557, REF-1558, REF-1559, REF-1560, REF-1561

References & Sources

(Alternative Medicine Review) (2001) 'Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom). Monograph', Alternative Medicine Review, 6(6), pp. 608-612. Meta-analysis / review
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Vanscheidt, W., Jost, V., Wolna, P., Lucker, P.W. and others (2002) 'Efficacy and safety of a Butcher's broom preparation (Ruscus aculeatus L. extract) compared to placebo in patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency', Arzneimittel-Forschung, 52(4), pp. 243-250. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1299887 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1299887
Allaert, F.A (2016) 'Combination of Ruscus aculeatus extract, hesperidin methyl chalcone and ascorbic acid: a comprehensive review of their pharmacological and clinical effects and of the pathophysiology of chronic venous disease', International Angiology, 35(2), pp. 111-116. Meta-analysis / review
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Jawien, A., Bouskela, E., Allaert, F.A. and Nicolaides, A.N (2017) 'The place of Ruscus extract, hesperidin methyl chalcone, and vitamin C in the management of chronic venous disease', International Angiology, 36(1), pp. 31-41. doi:10.23736/S0392-9590.16.03788-3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.23736/S0392-9590.16.03788-3
Masullo, M., Pizza, C. and Piacente, S (2016) 'Ruscus Genus: A Rich Source of Bioactive Steroidal Saponins', Planta Medica. doi:10.1055/s-0042-119728 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-119728
Rodrigues, J.P.B., Fernandes, A., Dias, M.I., Pereira, C. and others (2021) 'Phenolic Compounds and Bioactive Properties of Ruscus aculeatus L. (Asparagaceae): The Pharmacological Potential of an Underexploited Subshrub', Molecules, 26(7), pp. 1882. doi:10.3390/molecules26071882 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071882
Redman, D.A (2000) 'Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom) as a potential treatment for orthostatic hypotension, with a case report', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 6(6), pp. 539-549. doi:10.1089/acm.2000.6.539 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2000.6.539
Chakuleska, L., Michailova, R., Shkondrov, A., Manov, V. and others (2019) 'Bone protective effects of purified extract from Ruscus aculeatus on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 132, pp. 110668. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2019.110668 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.110668
Nocera, R., Eletto, D., Santoro, V., Parisi, V. and others (2023) 'Design of an Herbal Preparation Composed by a Combination of Ruscus aculeatus L. and Vitis vinifera L. Extracts, Magnolol and Diosmetin to Address Chronic Venous Diseases through an Anti-Inflammatory Effect and AP-1 Modulation', Plants, 12(5), pp. 1051. doi:10.3390/plants12051051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051051
Vlase, L., Kiss, B., Balica, G., Tamas, M. and others (2009) 'High-throughput LC/MS/MS analysis of ruscogenin and neoruscogenin in Ruscus aculeatus L', Journal of AOAC International, 92(4), pp. 1055-1059. Preclinical
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Bylka, W. and Kornobis, J (2005) 'Butcher's Broom, in the treatment of venous insufficiency', Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski. Preclinical
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Boyle, P., Diehm, C. and Robertson, C (2003) 'Meta-analysis of clinical trials of Cyclo 3 Fort in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency', International Angiology, 22(3), pp. 250--262. Meta-analysis / review
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