BUTCHER'S BROOM Overview Information
Butcher's broom is a plant. The root is used to make medicine.
Butcher's broom is used for hemorrhoids, gallstones, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and for symptoms of poor blood circulation such as pain, heaviness, leg cramps, leg swelling, varicose veins, itching, and swelling. Butcher's broom is also used as a laxative, as a diuretic to increase urine output, to reduce swelling, and to speed the healing of fractures.
In some cultures, the roots are eaten in much the same way as asparagus.
How does it work?
The chemicals in butcher's broom might cause the blood vessels to narrow or constrict. Butcher's broom might improve blood circulation in the legs by preventing blood from "pooling" in the veins.
BUTCHER'S BROOM Uses & Effectiveness 
Possibly Effective for:
- Poor circulation in the legs including pain, heaviness, leg cramps, itching, and swelling. Taking butcher's broom by mouth alone, or in combination with vitamin C and hesperidin, seems to relieve the symptoms of poor circulation in the legs.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Low blood pressure when getting up (orthostatic hypotension). Some clinical research suggests that butcher's broom might relieve this problem.
- Constipation.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Fluid retention.
- Broken bones.
- Circulation diseases.
- Other conditions.
BUTCHER'S BROOM Side Effects & Safety
Butcher's broom is considered safe for most people when used for up to three months.
It may cause stomach upset and nausea.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of butcher’s broom during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.BUTCHER'S BROOM Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications used for high blood pressure (Alpha-adrenergic antagonists) interacts with BUTCHER'S BROOM
Butcher's broom might speed up the nervous system, increase blood pressure, and make the heart beat fast. By increasing blood pressure, butcher's broom might decrease the effectiveness of some medications used for high blood pressure.
Some of these medications used for high blood pressure include doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), and others. - Stimulant Medications (Alpha-adrenergic agonists) interacts with BUTCHER'S BROOM
Butcher's broom might speed up the nervous system, increase blood pressure, and make the heart beat fast. Stimulant medications can also speed up the nervous system, increase blood pressure, and make the heart beat fast. Taking butcher's broom with stimulant medications might cause too much stimulation. This might make the blood pressure go too high or the heart beat too fast.
Some of these stimulant medications include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others), ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and others.
BUTCHER'S BROOM Dosing
The following dose has been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For relieving symptoms of poor circulation (chronic venous insufficiency): 150 mg of butcher’s broom root extract, combined with 150 mg of hesperidin and 100 mg of ascorbic acid twice daily.
