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Information About The Herb Butcher's Broom
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Botanical Name: Ruscus aculeatus
Common Name: Jew's Myrtle, Knee Holly, Kneeholm, Kneeholy, Petigree, Sweet Broom
Plant Family: Liliaceae
Origin: Found in woods, bush places and waste lands especially in Southern England
History: The name Butcher's Broom comes from the tradition of binding the matured branches into bundles which were sold to butchers to sweep their floors and the name Knee Holly was given as it grew to about the height of a man's knee and had prickly leaves like the true Holly plant. It is called Jew's Myrtle because it used to be used in the service for the Feast of the Tabernacles.
Tradition: Culpepper states that it is 'a plant of Mars, being of a gallant cleansing and opening quality...'. The boughs were also used for flogging chillblains.
Medicinal Parts Used: Herb and root
Butcher's Broom is used for:
Female Conditions
- female obstructions
Genitourinary Conditions
- dropsy
- gravel
- nephritis
- urinary obstructions
Liver Conditions
- jaundice
Lymphatic Conditions
- scrofulous tumors
Respiratory Conditions
- clears the chest of phlegm
- relieves difficult breathing
Other Uses:
- the young shoots can be eaten like asparagus
Action:
- aperient [a mild stimulant producing a natural movement of the bowels; a gentle purgative]
- deobstruant [an agent that clears away obstructions by opening the natural passages of the body]
- diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
Global Herbal Supplies has Butcher's Broom available in the following forms:
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
