Butchers Broom Root Powder (Ruscus aculeatus ) 1 lb: C

This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture. Butcher"™s Broom is a traditional treatment for skin problems and hemorrhoids. Its vasoconstrictive and anti-inflammatory properties can be attributed to steroidal molecules called ruscogenins and neoruscogenins. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Butcher's broom for 'Supportive therapy for discomforts of chronic venous insufficiency, such as pain and heaviness, as well as cramps in the legs, itching, and swelling. Supportive therapy for complaints of hemorrhoids, such as itching and burning.' 'Side Effects: In rare cases, gastric disorders or nausea may occur.' 'Daily dosage: Raw extract, equivalent to 7 - 11 mg total ruscogenin (determined as the sum of neoruscogenin and ruscogenin obtained after fermentation or acid hydrolysis). Mode of Administration: Extracts and their preparations for internal use.' 'Actions: In animal experiments: Increase in venous tone; Electrolyte-like reaction on the cell wall of capillaries; Antiphlogistic; Diuretic.' Clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of Butcher's Broom in treating chronic phlebopathy of the lower limbs and those suffering from varicose veins. In these trials, an extract was used. 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. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'The young shoots of Butcher's Broom have often been eaten like those of the Asparagus, a plant to which it is closely allied. The matured branches used to be bound into bundles and sold to butchers for sweeping their blocks, hence the name: Butcher's Broom. It is frequently made into besoms in Italy. One of the names given the plant, 'Jew's Myrtle, ' points to its use for service during the Feast of Tabernacles.' 'Diaphoretic, diuretic, deobstruent and aperient. Was much recommended by Dioscorides and other ancient physicians as an aperient and diuretic in dropsy, urinary obstructions and nephritic cases.' 'A decoction of the root is the usual form of administration, and it is still considered of use in jaundice and gravel. One pint of boiling water to 1 oz. of the twigs, or ½ oz. of the bruised fresh root has also been recommended as an infusion, which may be taken as tea.' 'In scrofulous tumours, advantage has been realized by administering the root in doses of a drachm every morning.' 'The decoction, sweetened with honey, is said to clear the chest of phlegm and relieve difficult breathing.' 'The boughs have been employed for flogging chilblains.'