butcher’s broom extract(Ruscus aculeatus)

What is Butcher’s Broom extract
Butcher’s broom extract, with Latin name as Ruscus aculeatus, according to Wikipedia, has a long history of use in herbal medicine traditions as a diuretic and blood vessel toner. Butcher’s Broom is approved by the authoritative German Commission E for chronic venous insufficiency, a condition causing pain, swelling, and fatigue in the calves that is related to varicose veins, and hemorrhoids. Ruscus aculeatus was given its common name, butcher’s broom, because its stiff twigs were bound together and used by butchers in Europe to keep their cutting boards clean.

Chemical composition of butcher’s broom extract
Butcher’s broom root contains a mixture of sterols, fatty acids, and phenolic substances, such as ascorbic-acid, beta-carotene, calcium, chromium , chrysophanic-acid , cobalt, fiber, glycolic-acid, iron magnesium, manganese, mucilage, niacin, phosphorus, potassium riboflavin, ruscogenin, rutin, selenium thiamin,etc. The primary active constituents are believed to be the steroidal saponins known as ruscogenin and neoruscogenin, which have shown the ability to constrict blood vessels in laboratory tests. Butcher’s broom extracts are often standardized for consistent ruscogenin concentration. Butcher’s broom is the active component in several produce formulations and topical treatments for venous diseases and venous insufficiency, such as varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Although both the above- and below-ground parts of the plant contain ruscogenins, the concentration is higher in the root, the part traditionally used medicinally.

How Does Butcher’s Broom Work?
What are the mechanisms of action of butcher’s broom extract? According to American University in Washington, DC, butcher’s broom activates receptors that stimulate the release of noradrenaline to increase vascular tone and constrict blood vessels. The constriction helps to get the blood moving and reduce pooling. Butcher’s broom contains flavonoids that also support normal circulation and strengthen blood vessels.

One animal study and numerous in vitro studies indicate butcher’s broom reduces vascular permeability. The ruscogenins from butcher’s broom extract showed remarkable anti-elastase activity in vitro but were inactive against hyaluronidase. These actions help explain the herb’s apparent utility in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Animal and in vitro studies show butcher’s broom to have a vasoconstrictive effect, in other words, the chemicals in butcher’s broom might cause the blood vessels to narrow or constrict. Butcher’s broom might improve blood circulation in the legs by preventing blood from “pooling” in the veins. Some studies indicate direct post junctional alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor activation by its steroidal saponins;others indicate vasoconstriction is due to alpha-adrenergic blockade.

Benefits of taking Butcher’s Broom extract
Butcher’s broom has been known to enhance blood flow to the brain, legs, and hands. It has been used to relieve constipation and water retention and improve circulation. Since Butcher’s broom tightens blood vessels and capillaries, it is used to treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Butcher’s broom and Venous Insufficiency/Varicosities
Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins do not efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart, and is linked to problems like varicose veins, ankle swelling, and nighttime leg cramping. Chronic venous insufficiency results from partial vein blockage or blood leakage around the valves of the veins and can be treated with compression stockings, lifestyle changes (such as avoiding long periods of sitting or standing), and/or surgery. Varicose veins are the most common venous insufficiency. Reports have shown that butcher’s broom is very effective to this symptom, and sometimes combined with hesperidin and ascorbic acid.

Butcher’s broom extract and Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a condition where veins in the anus swell up and become inflamed. Although it can happen at any age, most cases of hemorrhoids affect individuals who are 45 years of age or older. Hemorrhoids can be classified into two types: internal and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids occur within the anal cavity. They are typically characterized by the presence of blood after a bowel movement. As mentioned above, butcher’s broom extract’s hemorrhoids’ benefits due to its active ingredients ruscogenin and neoruscogenin.

Side effects of taking Butcher’s Broom extract
Butcher’s broom extract is considered safe for most people when used for up to three months. Side effects are rarely seen if butcher’s broom is used as directed. However, in certain cases, butcher’s broom can cause stomach upset and nausea.

What is the recommended dosage?
Butcher’s broom has been used in clinical trials for chronic venous insufficiency standardized to 7 to 11 mg of ruscogenin. Hesperidin methyl chalcone also has been used as a marker for standardization in the product Cyclo 3 Fort. Extracts have been dosed at 16 mg daily for chronic phlebopathy, while a topical cream formulation was used to apply 64 to 96 mg of extract daily.

Butcher’s broom extract in combination with other botanicals
Many of the clinical trials on butcher’s broom use commercial products that combine butcher’s broom extract with trimethyl hesperidine chalcone and ascorbic acid. Some medicines or supplements combine butcher’s broom with Melilotus officinalis(sweet clover, meliot) extract. In addition, diosmin is registered in the European Pharmacopoeia(EP) and US Pharmacopoeia(USP), and it is also commonly combined with butcher’s broom extract with hesperidin.

Where to buy Butcher’s broom extract?
Raw material of butcher’s broom extract is regular product from Herb Nutritionals Co., Ltd, and bulk stock is available. COA, MSDS, and more manufacturing documents are glad to be sent upon your request.