Butcher´s Broom

A woody plant. The roots are used.
It contains saponosides such as ruscogenin, potassium salts and flavonoids such as rutoside and hesperidoside.
Indications from the European Medicines Agency and the E Commission of the German Ministry of Health (based on traditional use, without solid scientific proof of their efficacy): venous insufficiency, heaviness of legs and hemorrhoids (EMA 2008, Blumenthal 1998).
Administered orally from root extracts.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk.

There is very little published data on the use of this plant, but it seems devoid of toxicity. Possible side effects are digestive and not serious.

Given its lack of toxicity at correct doses, moderate use would be compatible with breastfeeding.

Precautions when taking plant preparations:
1. Make sure they are from a reliable source: poisoning has occurred due to confusing one plant with another with toxic properties, poisoning due to heavy metals that are extracted from the soil and food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi (Anderson 2017).
2. Do not take in excess; follow recommendations from experts in phytotherapy. "Natural" products are not good in any quantity: the plants contain active substances from which a large part of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause intoxication or act as endocrine disruptors (contain phytoestrogens: Powers 2015) if they are taken in excessive amounts or time periods.

• Ruscogenin (Very Low Risk)

Synonyms

• Box Holly
• Kneeholm
• Ruscus Aculeatus
• Sweet Broom

Writings

• Ruscus aculeatus (Latin, botanical name)
• Rusci Radix (Latin, another name)
• Ρούσκος (Greek)
• Fragon épineux (French)
• Petit houx (French)
• Brusc, Galzeran (Catalan)
• Erkaltz, Errats (Basque)
• HC05BW5005 (ATC Code/s)