Butcher's Broom (jews myrtle, knee holly, pettigree, ruscus aculeatus, sweet broom, thorny fragon)
Classes: Analgesics, Herbals; Cardiovascular, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Jews myrtle, knee holly (butcher's broom)
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
7-11 mg of standardized ruscogenin, Or
150 mg root extract (combined with 150 mg hesperidine and 100 mg ascorbid acid) PO BId
Chronic Phlebopathy
16 mg PO qDay
Reduction of post-surgical thrombosis (blood clots)
Tea (See Mfr's Info for dosage)
Topical
Cream Extract: 64-96 mg qDay
Suppositories
See Mfr's Info
Suggested uses of Jews myrtle, knee holly (butcher's broom)
Used as a laxative, diuretic, treatment for circulatory disease, & cytotoxic agent
May reduce incidence of post-surgical blood clots
Constipation, circulatory d/o, hemorrhoids, inflammation, leg cramps, lymphedema, promotes urination, varicose veins
Menstrual support & problems assoc with use of estrogen & pregnancy related cramps.
Anti-inflammatory agent, prevention of atherosclerosis
Arthritis & rheumatism
Topical treatment: venous disease & venous insufficiency (eg. varicose veins, leg edema, phlebitis & hemorrhoids)
German Commission E: approved oral use for supportive therapy for discomforts of chronic venous insufficiency & hemorrhoids
Jews myrtle, knee holly (butcher's broom) adverse (side) effects
Diarrhea
Warnings
Contraindications
None reported
Cautions
MAOI's: avoid concurrent use of butcher's broom with phenylzine & tranylcypromine
Anticoagulants/ antiplatelets: may inhibit platelet activity; contains coumarin, potentiates anticoagulant response
Patients with hypertension: may increase blood pressure
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: avoid use
Lactation: avoid use
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Jews myrtle, knee holly (butcher's broom)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Steroidal saponins may be responsible for stimulating post junctional alpha adrenergic receptors in smooth muscle cells of the vascular wall & producing vasoconstriction, therefore having use in treatment of circulatory diseases
May also have anti-inflammatory effects & increase lymphatic flow