Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT · ES · DE · FR

← All supplements
Moderate evidenceHeart & metabolic

Butcher's Broom

Ruscus aculeatus root extract is a real venotonic with reasonable evidence for reducing leg heaviness, pain and swelling in chronic venous insufficiency. The catch: almost all of that evidence comes from one branded French combination product, not from butcher's broom alone.

View on iHerb Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

What the science says

  • Reduces symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency Moderate evidence

    A meta-analysis pooling 25 randomized studies and 10,246 subjects of the Ruscus combination Cyclo 3 Fort (150 mg Ruscus extract + 150 mg hesperidin methyl chalcone + 100 mg ascorbic acid) found significant reductions versus placebo on a 0-3 severity scale: heaviness -0.53 points, pain -0.44, paraesthesia -0.29, cramps -0.26, plus a 0.70 mL/100 mL fall in venous capacity. Honest caveat: the changes in calf (-0.73 cm) and ankle (-1.17 cm) circumference in the same analysis were NOT statistically significant, and the product tested is a three-ingredient formula.

  • Reduces leg oedema slightly, but does not improve quality of life or heal ulcers Moderate evidence

    The 2020 Cochrane review of oral phlebotonics (69 RCTs, 7,690 participants) found moderate-certainty evidence that this drug class reduces lower-leg oedema slightly (RR 0.70) and ankle circumference by 4.27 mm — a few millimetres. It also found phlebotonics probably make little or no difference to quality of life (SMD -0.06) and low-certainty evidence of no effect on venous ulcer healing (RR 0.94). Ruscus was not among the extracts contributing quantifiable data, so butcher's broom rides on class-level inference.

  • Not a treatment for varicose veins themselves Limited evidence

    Nothing in the trial record shows Ruscus reverses valve incompetence, shrinks varicosities, or changes disease progression. The mechanism (alpha-adrenergic venoconstriction plus reduced capillary permeability) is symptomatic. Compression therapy remains first-line and outperformed or matched oral agents wherever both were assessed.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseStudied as 150 mg standardized root extract (roughly 7.5-11 mg ruscogenins) two to three times daily, most often in the Cyclo 3 Fort format of 2-3 capsules/day for 8-12 weeks. Many standalone US supplements supply 100-200 mg/day of unstandardized root powder — below and chemically unlike anything trialled. Check for ruscogenin standardization or you are buying dried root.
SafetyGenerally well tolerated; gastrointestinal upset (nausea, abdominal discomfort) is the most common complaint, and Cochrane found phlebotonics as a class slightly increase adverse events versus placebo (RR 1.14). Rare case reports of lymphocytic colitis with the Ruscus combination product. Because ruscogenins act on alpha-adrenergic receptors, use caution with hypertension, MAO inhibitors and other vasoconstrictors. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding (no data). Only short-term safety data exist — trials rarely ran past 3 months. Sold as a prescription or pharmacy medicine in parts of Europe, as a dietary supplement in the US. Persistent leg swelling needs a medical workup: it can signal deep vein thrombosis, heart failure or kidney disease.

How to take it

TimingSplit into two or three doses across the day.
With food?With food — GI upset is the most common complaint.
Worth knowingCheck the label states ruscogenin standardization; unstandardized dried root is chemically unlike what was trialled, and none of it replaces compression stockings.

Interactions

With medications

  • MAO inhibitors

    Ruscogenins act on alpha-adrenergic receptors and MAOIs amplify pressor effects. avoid combining

  • blood pressure medication and decongestants

    Vasoconstrictor activity can raise blood pressure and work against antihypertensives. monitor blood pressure and avoid stacking with pseudoephedrine-type decongestants

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does butcher's broom work for leg swelling and heavy legs?

Butcher's broom has moderate evidence for chronic venous insufficiency: a meta-analysis of the combination product Cyclo 3 Fort found reductions in leg heaviness, pain and cramps versus placebo. That product also contains hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C, and calf and ankle circumference did not change significantly.

Does butcher's broom get rid of varicose veins?

No. Nothing shows butcher's broom reverses valve damage, shrinks varicose veins or slows venous disease; its effect is symptomatic. Compression therapy remains first-line.

How much butcher's broom should I take?

Trials used 150 mg of standardized butcher's broom root extract two to three times daily with food, usually for 8-12 weeks. Many standalone supplements supply unstandardized root powder, so check the label for ruscogenin standardization.

Is butcher's broom safe with high blood pressure?

Use caution: butcher's broom's ruscogenins act on alpha-adrenergic receptors, which can raise blood pressure and work against antihypertensives. Avoid combining butcher's broom with MAO inhibitors or pseudoephedrine-type decongestants.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Reserveage Beauty, Beautiful Legs with Diosmin & Butcher's Broom Extract, 30 Veggie Capsules

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Heart & metabolic