BUTCHER'S BROOM

It is a plant coming from the Mediterranean zone, Europe and Africa and is usually found in France, Great Britain, central and southern Europe, but at altitudes below 700 m, Southwest Asia and North Africa. It appears in undergrowth evergreen and mixed forest, dark and damp places and especially in limestone terrain, forming part of the thicket that accompanies cork oaks and their degradation to strawberry trees, and heather.

It blooms from May to July and the fruits ripen between autumn and winter. The thick root, which is usually harvested in autumn has medicinal properties. This root has not smell, but it has a sweet taste which is initially overly sweet and then perceived as slightly bitter. In winter, the female flowers produce bright, red, rounded berries which are used in some places as Christmas ornament for their showy red berries and the strength and brightness of their false leaves.

Part used

Indications

Internal use

• Prevention and treatment of chronic venous insufficiency: varicose veins, hemorrhoids, hemorrhoidal anitis. It is recommended to use it both internal and external at the same time.
• Prevention of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis, post-phlebitis recovery.
• Capillary fragility, couperose.
• Edemas of the lower limbs, pain and sensation of heaviness in the legs, venous problems of the lower limbs due to the use of oral contraceptive.
• Urinary disorders: cystitis, urethritis, oliguria, kidney stones.
• Overweight accompanied by water retention.
• Metritis (inflammation of uterus), adnexitis (inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes), dysmenorrhea (painful period), abundant menstruation and premenstrual syndrome.
• Hyperazotemia (large amount of nitrogenous substances in the blood), hyperuricemia, gout and articular rheumatism.
• A study shows that it can be useful for the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.
• A study suggests that the butcher’s broom could be useful for the inflammation of the harms (lymphedema) followed by the surgery of breast cancer.
• Some authors consider that due to its venotropic properties the plant may be useful in the treatment of chronic orthostatic hypotension. Unlike many other drug treatments for this condition Ruscus aculeatus doesn’t cause supine hypertension.

• Aftershave or aftersun.