The Ancient Greek Laxative, Butcher's Broom
Other Common Names: Brusca, Cobanpuskulu, Jew's Myrtle, Knee Holly, Kneeholm, Kneeholy, Pettigree, Rusco, Sweet Broom, Ruscus aculeatus
Range: Egypt; Europe; France; Mediterranean; Spain; Turkey
Habitat: Outskirts of dry woods and in moist uncultivated ground especially on chalk.
Used by ancient Greek physicians as a laxative and a diuretic for
flushing excess water from the body, Butcher's Broom fell into
disrepute until the 1950s, when a French scientist discovered two
chemicals from the plant's underground stem that cause blood vessels to
narrow and help reduce inflammation. Butcher's broom is little used in
modern herbalism but, in view of its positive effect upon varicose
veins and hemorrhoids, it could be due for a revival.
The root is aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic
and vasoconstrictor. It has been taken internally in the past in the
treatment of jaundice, gout, and kidney and bladder stones, at the
present time it is used to treat venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids.
It should not be prescribed for patients with hypertension.
It is also applied externally in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The
root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The whole
plant is also sometimes used. This remedy should not be given to people
with high blood pressure.
The plant contains saponin glycosides, including ruscogenin and
neoruscogenin. These substances are anti-inflammatory and cause the
contraction of blood vessels, especially veins.
Young shoots - cooked. They are harvested in the spring as they grow
through the soil and used as an asparagus substitute. The taste is
pungent and rather bitter.
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.
Known Hazards: The berries are purgative.
Other Common Names: Brusca, Cobanpuskulu, Jew's Myrtle, Knee Holly, Kneeholm, Kneeholy, Pettigree, Rusco, Sweet Broom, Ruscus aculeatus
Range: Egypt; Europe; France; Mediterranean; Spain; Turkey
Habitat: Outskirts of dry woods and in moist uncultivated ground especially on chalk.
Used by ancient Greek physicians as a laxative and a diuretic for
flushing excess water from the body, Butcher's Broom fell into
disrepute until the 1950s, when a French scientist discovered two
chemicals from the plant's underground stem that cause blood vessels to
narrow and help reduce inflammation. Butcher's broom is little used in
modern herbalism but, in view of its positive effect upon varicose
veins and hemorrhoids, it could be due for a revival.
The root is aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic
and vasoconstrictor. It has been taken internally in the past in the
treatment of jaundice, gout, and kidney and bladder stones, at the
present time it is used to treat venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids.
It should not be prescribed for patients with hypertension.
It is also applied externally in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The
root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The whole
plant is also sometimes used. This remedy should not be given to people
with high blood pressure.
The plant contains saponin glycosides, including ruscogenin and
neoruscogenin. These substances are anti-inflammatory and cause the
contraction of blood vessels, especially veins.
Young shoots - cooked. They are harvested in the spring as they grow
through the soil and used as an asparagus substitute. The taste is
pungent and rather bitter.
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.
Known Hazards: The berries are purgative.
No comments:
Post a Comment