Rusci aculeati rhizoma

The dried rhizomes and roots of butcher's broom contain a mixture of various steroid saponins (such as the spirostanol saponins ruscin, ruscuside, aglyca and ruscogenin).

HMPC monograph: Traditional use: complaints associated with chronic venous insufficiency, complaints associated with haemorrhoids: burning, itching
ESCOP monograph: supportive for chronic venous insufficiency: aching, tired and heavy legs, tingling, swelling of the legs; for burning and pain in haemorrhoids
Commission E-monograph: complaints of chronic venous insufficiency, pain and heaviness in the legs, nocturnal calf cramps, itching, swelling, also for itching and burning in haemorrhoids

Folk medicine: Vascular stabilization in chronic venous insufficiency, externally as ointment preparations, as suppositories for haemorrhoids

Circulation-promoting, anti-inflammatory, slightly diuretic and vitalizing. In a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study with 166 patients with chronic venous insufficiency, superiority over placebo was demonstrated.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/maeusedorn.php
2. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-ruscus-aculeatus-l-rhizoma-revision-1_en.pdf
3. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 151-152
4. Montag A (2023) Plants and skin. Springer-Verlag GmbH. S. 695-696. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-63014-3_7
5. Allaert FA (2016) Combination of Ruscus aculeatus extract, hesperidin methylchalcone and ascorbic acid: a comprehensive review of their pharmacological and clinical effects and of the pathophysiology of chronic venous disease. Int Angiol 35:111-116.
6. Reuter J, Wölfle U, Korting HC, Schempp C (2010) Which plant for which skin disease? Part 2: Dermatophytes, chronic venous insufficiency, photoprotection, actinic keratoses, vitiligo, hair loss, cosmetic indications. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 8: 866-873
7. Vanscheidt W et al. (2002) Efficacy and safety of a butcher`s broom preparation compared to placebo in patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency. Drug research 52: 243-250