Butcher's Broom - Knee Holly

Ruscus aculeatus

Physical Characteristics

Ruscus aculeatus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to April, and the seeds ripen from August to March. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Western and southern Europe from Britain to Switzerland, south to the Mediterranean.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Coffee Young shoots - cooked[1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 11]. They are harvested in the spring as they grow through the soil and used as an asparagus substitute[7, 183]. The taste is pungent and rather bitter[132, 183]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[1, 105, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Antipruritic Aperient Deobstruent Depurative Diaphoretic Diuretic Vasoconstrictor Butcher's broom is little used in modern herbalism but, in view of its positive effect upon varicose veins and haemorrhoids, it could be due for a revival[254]. The root is aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic and vasoconstrictor[4, 7, 238]. 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 haemorrhoids[238]. It should not be prescribed for patients with hypertension[238]. It is also applied externally in the treatment of haemorrhoids[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[4]. The whole plant is also sometimes used[4]. This remedy should not be given to people with high blood pressure[254]. The plant contains saponin glycosides, including ruscogenin and neoruscogenin. These substances are anti-inflammatory and cause the contraction of blood vessels, especially veins[254]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Ruscus aculeatus for haemorrhoids (piles) and venous conditions (see [302] for critics of commission E) [301].

Known Hazards

The berries are purgative[8]. Caution required if used in patients on treatment for high blood pressure. An increase in tone of veins can influence blood pressure allowing more blood to flow to the heart [301].