Butcher's Broom (jews myrtle, knee holly, pettigree, ruscus aculeatus, sweet broom, thorny fragon): Dosing and Uses

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