The Royal Horticultural Society. (2014). Ruscus aculeatus. Retrieved from: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=1734
Kuleuven kulak. (n.d.). Ruscus aculeatus. Retrieved from: https://www.kuleuven-kulak.be/kulakbiocampus/images/buiten-kulak/bomen-heesters/Ruscus%20aculeatus%20-%20Muisdoorn/
Botanical Name: Ruscus aculeatus
Common name: Butchers Broome (Heinrich, Barnes, Gibbons & Williamson, 2012, p. 222)
Family: Liliaceae (Heinrich et al., 2012, p. 222)
Parts used: rootstock and rhizome (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
History/Folklore: Small everygreen shrub native to Western Europe. The name is derived from the branches which have been used to make brooms (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
Constituents:
- Steroidial compounds
- Aglycones: ruscogenin and neoruscogenin
- Triterpene and sterol compounds Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 468)
Actions
- Anti-inflammatory (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467; Heinrich et al., 2012, p. 222)
- Venotonic (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
Indications
- Chronic venous insufficiency (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Varicose veins (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Varicose ulcers (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Lymphoedema (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Haemorrhoids (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Congestion accompanying pre-menstrual syndrome (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Oedema (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Potentially useful in orthostatic hypotension (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
Preparation & Dosage:
- Decoction: 1.5-3g dried root/day
- Liquid extract (1:2): 3-6mL/day
- Tincture (1:5): 7.5-15mL/day (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 467)
- Ointment (topical use for haemorrhoids) (Heinrich et al., 2010, p. 222)
Cautions & Contraindications:
- Not to be applied to broken or ulcerated skin (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 472)
- Contraindicated in coeliac, fat malabsorption and vitamin A, D, E and K deficiency due to rich saponin content (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 472)
- Caution should be taken in individuals with pre-existing cholestasis (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 472)
