Butcher's Broom
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 794 participants, researched for Chronic Venous Insufficiency & Leg Oedema.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Chronic Venous Insufficiency & Leg Oedema
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency & Leg Oedema
To assess the efficacy and safety of Ruscus aculeatus extract vs placebo in chronic venous insufficiency.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial
Purpose
To assess the efficacy and safety of Ruscus aculeatus extract vs placebo in chronic venous insufficiency.
Dose
36–37 mg Ruscus aculeatus extract twice daily
Participants
166 patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Ruscus aculeatus extract significantly reduced lower leg oedema and symptom scores vs placebo. Heaviness, tension, and pain in the legs were all significantly improved. Safe and well tolerated.
How They Measured It
Lower leg volume (water displacement plethysmography), oedema rating, patient symptom scores
To assess clinical and capillaroscopic improvement with Ruscus aculeatus, hesperidin methylchalcone, and ascorbic acid in venous insufficiency.
Study Type
Randomised, controlled, open-label trial
Purpose
To assess clinical and capillaroscopic improvement with Ruscus aculeatus, hesperidin methylchalcone, and ascorbic acid in venous insufficiency.
Dose
Ruscus 150 mg + HMC 150 mg + ascorbic acid 100 mg twice daily
Participants
57 ambulatory patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Combination significantly improved CEAP symptom scores and capillaroscopic parameters. Microcirculatory improvements visible within 2 weeks. Appeared synergistic for venous tone and microvascular permeability.
How They Measured It
CEAP scale, symptom scores, skin capillaroscopy at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks
To explore Ruscus aculeatus as a treatment for orthostatic hypotension and venous pooling.
Study Type
Review with case report
Purpose
To explore Ruscus aculeatus as a treatment for orthostatic hypotension and venous pooling.
Dose
Standardised Ruscus aculeatus extract (oral)
Participants
Case report + literature review
Duration
Variable
Results
Ruscus aculeatus exerts venotonic and vasoconstrictive effects via alpha-adrenoreceptor stimulation. Appropriate for managing orthostatic hypotension where venous pooling is an underlying factor. Case reported significant clinical improvement.
How They Measured It
Literature review of venoconstrictor mechanisms; illustrative case report
To assess the use of Ruscus aculeatus extract in venous disease of the lower limbs.
Study Type
Open observational study
Purpose
To assess the use of Ruscus aculeatus extract in venous disease of the lower limbs.
Dose
36–37 mg Ruscus aculeatus extract twice daily
Participants
150 patients with venous disease
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in all venous disease symptoms including pain, heaviness, and cramps. Ankle circumference (oedema) meaningfully reduced. Physician global assessments confirmed clinical improvement in majority of patients.
How They Measured It
Patient self-assessment of venous symptoms, ankle circumference, physician global assessment
To evaluate Ruscus aculeatus in reducing flight-related oedema in airline passengers.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Ruscus aculeatus in reducing flight-related oedema in airline passengers.
Dose
150 mg Ruscus aculeatus extract taken pre-flight
Participants
200 healthy volunteers taking long-haul flights
Duration
Single flight (>10 hours)
Results
Ruscus extract significantly reduced post-flight leg oedema vs placebo (+67 mL vs +138 mL, p<0.001). Ankle circumference increase was halved. Practical preventive measure for flight-related venous pooling.
How They Measured It
Lower leg volume, ankle circumference measured before and after flight
To review the pharmacological basis for Ruscus aculeatus venotonic and vasoconstrictive properties.
Study Type
Pharmacological review
Purpose
To review the pharmacological basis for Ruscus aculeatus venotonic and vasoconstrictive properties.
Dose
Standardised Ruscus saponins (ruscogenin, neoruscogenin)
Participants
Multiple preclinical and clinical studies reviewed
Duration
Various
Results
Ruscus saponins induce venoconstriction via alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoreceptor stimulation. They also reduce vascular permeability by inhibiting elastase and hyaluronidase. These mechanisms explain venotonic effects in venous insufficiency.
How They Measured It
Review of in vitro receptor binding, animal vasoconstriction data, and human vascular pharmacology
To assess Ruscus aculeatus + hesperidin methylchalcone on venous tone in chronic venous insufficiency.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Ruscus aculeatus + hesperidin methylchalcone on venous tone in chronic venous insufficiency.
Dose
Ruscus 100 mg + HMC 900 mg + ascorbic acid 100 mg daily
Participants
97 patients with CEAP class C3–C4 venous insufficiency
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Active treatment significantly improved venous compliance and reduced ankle oedema vs placebo. Heaviness, pain, and leg fatigue all significantly reduced. The combination improved microcirculation and venous wall tone.
How They Measured It
Venous compliance, ankle oedema, CEAP symptom assessment
To pool evidence from RCTs on the efficacy of Ruscus aculeatus-based products for chronic venous disorders.
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To pool evidence from RCTs on the efficacy of Ruscus aculeatus-based products for chronic venous disorders.
Dose
Various standardised preparations
Participants
Multiple RCTs included
Duration
8–16 weeks
Results
Pooled analysis confirmed significant reductions in leg oedema and symptom scores with Ruscus-based treatments. Effect sizes were moderate but clinically meaningful. Excellent safety profile across all included trials.
How They Measured It
Pooled leg oedema, symptom score, and adverse event data
To investigate Ruscus aculeatus for symptoms of haemorrhoids and perianal varicose disorder.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate Ruscus aculeatus for symptoms of haemorrhoids and perianal varicose disorder.
Dose
150 mg Ruscus extract three times daily
Participants
124 patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Ruscus extract significantly reduced haemorrhoidal symptoms including bleeding, prolapse, and pain vs placebo. Venoconstrictor properties appear effective across venous conditions beyond lower limbs.
How They Measured It
Haemorrhoid symptom score, bleeding, prolapse, pain ratings
The role of venoactive compounds in the treatment of chronic venous disease
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
The role of venoactive compounds in the treatment of chronic venous disease
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Systematic literature review and expert meeting report on health-related quality of life in chronic venous disease
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
Systematic literature review and expert meeting report on health-related quality of life in chronic venous disease
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Clinical Perspectives and Management of Edema in Chronic Venous Disease-What about Ruscus?
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Clinical Perspectives and Management of Edema in Chronic Venous Disease-What about Ruscus?
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Butcher's Broom research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus), involving 794 total participants. Research covers Chronic venous insufficiency, Leg oedema reduction, Circulation improvement and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Butcher's Broom has been researched for: Chronic venous insufficiency, Leg oedema reduction, Circulation improvement, Orthostatic hypotension support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
