Butcher's broom is an evergreen bush that's used for the medicinal properties contained in its roots. Historically, butcher's broom was used for its mild diuretic effects to treat urinary conditions, but today it's used for treating mainly circulatory problems. You can take butcher's broom extract to treat chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and certain other conditions. Always discuss herbal remedies with your health care provider, because many herbs can have serious side effects or interact with some medications.
Treats Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Taking butcher's broom may help to treat chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory disorder that mainly involves the leg veins. If you have venous insufficiency, taking butcher's broom can help to strengthen and tone your veins, as well as improve blood flow from the legs back to your heart, reports the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cites a 2002 double-blind clinical trial of 166 women with chronic venous insufficiency that found taking butcher's broom extract over the course of 12 weeks substantially reduced leg swelling compared to the placebo group. Two other clinical trials, cited by the University of Michigan, found that taking a combination of butcher's broom, vitamin C and flavonoids was effective in treating chronic venous insufficiency. Butcher's broom can also ease the leg cramps that are associated with venous insufficiency, advises the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Treats Atherosclerosis
The same effects that butcher's broom has on the veins can help in treating atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Butcher's broom helps to stimulate your circulatory system and may have protective effects on your arteries, explains the University of Michigan Health System. The herb contains saponins that have steroidal effects, which help to stimulate the smooth muscle cells of blood vessel walls, reports the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Treats Varicose Veins & Hemorrhoids
If you have varicose veins or hemorrhoids, using butcher's broom can help. Butcher's broom contains the steroidal saponin called ruscogenin, which has anti-inflammatory effects that can help in treating hemorrhoids, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Applied topically, butcher's broom ointment can help to treat hemorrhoids, advises the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You can take butcher's broom orally to treat varicose veins as well, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Treats Lymphedema
The anti-inflammatory effects of butcher's broom can also help to treat lymphedema, a condition that prevents normal drainage of fluids through the lymph nodes, causing swelling in the extremities. Butcher's broom also acts to stimulate lymphatic flow, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A double-blind study of 57 women who developed lymphedema after breast cancer surgery found that taking butcher's broom substantially reduced swelling in their arms better than placebo, reports the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The women took butcher's broom combined with a citrus bioflavonoid.
