Treat yourself with the Butcher's Broom

Botanical Name: Ruscus aculeatus L.

Part used: rusco rhizome with roots

Common name: Butcher's broom

Therapeutic properties: anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, phlebotonic, capillarotropic, anti-edema.

Therapeutic use:

• INTERNAL USE: venous insufficiency, feeling of heaviness and pain in the legs, cramps in the calves, varicose veins, local edema and swollen ankles, venous stasis; hemorrhoids, chilblains, acrocyanosis; thrombophlebitis, lymphagitis; gout; kidney stones; cellulite
• EXTERNAL USE (suppositories, gels, ointments): topical treatment of blood vessel disorders and inflammatory processes that interest them, in particular hemorrhoids; sun rashes; fragility of the epidermal microcirculation (cosmetic use).

Examples of commercial preparations containing Rusco extracts: Ruscoven ®, Vasotonal ®, Cyclo 3 Fort ®

NOTES: when the holly rhizome is taken for curative purposes, it is essential to use defined and standardized pharmaceutical forms in active ingredients (in steroid saponins called ruscogenins: ruscogenin and neoruscogenin), the only ones that allow us to know how many active molecules are being administered to the patient . Traditional herbal preparations such as infusions, juices and decoctions, do not allow to establish exactly the quantity of active ingredients administered to the patient, which increases the risk of therapeutic failure.

Butcher's broom: traditional herbalist indications

Relieve symptoms of what are normally described as "heavy legs"

Indicative dosage in adults and the elderly (oral):

1. If the butcher's broom is taken in the form of rhizome and pulverized roots and enclosed in opercula:
   • take 350 mg three times a day
2. If the butcher's broom is taken as a dry extract (ratio drug extract 4.5-6.5: 1; water extraction solvent):
   • take 200 mg twice a day
3. If the butcher's broom is taken as a dry extract (drug extract ratio 5-8.5: 1; ethanol extraction solvent at 80% V / V):
   • take 86 mg once or twice a day
4. If the butcher's broom is taken as a dry extract (ratio drug extract 6-9: 1; ethanol solvent extraction at 96% V / V):
   • take 45 mg twice a day
5. If the butcher's broom is taken as a dry extract (ratio drug extract 15-20: 1; methanol extraction solvent at 60% V / V):
   • take 37 mg twice a day

NOTES: the doses reported above are calibrated to provide a daily intake of 7-11 mg of ruscogenine (ruscogenin + neuroruscogenin), a dose recommended by the Commission E German. This also represents the dosage commonly used in clinical studies.

Butcher's extracts are NOT suitable for children and adolescents under the age of 18. As a precautionary measure, do not take during pregnancy and lactation.

The duration of treatment can extend up to a maximum of two weeks. If symptoms do not resolve within two weeks, or persist or worsen during treatment, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity towards one or more pharmacologically active substances contained in the extract. No further contraindications or drug interactions are known.

The use of butcher's broom extracts requires medical supervision in the presence of inflammation of the skin or hardening of the subcutaneous tissues, ulcers, sudden swelling of one or both legs, heart or kidney failure.

Although rusco is considered safe and generally well tolerated, rare episodes have been reported among the side effects:

• adverse effects on the gastrointestinal (digestive disorders, nausea, abdominal pain, gastric disorders, lymphocytic colitis)

If these side effects occur seriously, or if other side effects occur, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information on the correct use of a specific ruscus-based product, and for the complete list of side effects, see the package leaflet that comes with the product. This information must always be read carefully before starting treatment.

Examples of herbal preparations containing Butcher's Broom

Rusco composite (venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids)

Prepare a decoction with a soup spoon of mixture per cup of water, boiling for five minutes. Take one cup 2-3 times a day with meals.

Indications: acts favorably on the physiological function of microcirculation, assisting the natural maintenance of the tonicity of the tissues of the vessels.

Cyclo 3 Fort ®

Indications: relief of symptoms such as pain, cramps, paresthesia, edema, heaviness in the legs and an increase in their circumference, in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.