Butcher's Broom - Ruscus aculeatus

3/15/02 Butcher's Broom Healthwell Notes The young shoots were sometimes eaten as food. Ancient physicians used the roots as a diuretic in the treatment of urinary problems.1 Active constituents: Steroidal molecules called ruscogenins and neoruscogenins are responsible for the medicinal actions of butcher's broom. ruscogenins decrease vascular permeability-which accounts for the anti-inflammatory activity of this herb. Butcher's broom also causes small veins to constrict An extract of butcher's broom combined with flavonoid derivatives has been shown to benefit patients with diabetes, by lowering cholesterol levels and improving glucose tolerance
3/24/02 Monograph - Alt Med Review