What is butcher's broom?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

July 1, 2002

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The butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus Linnaeus) is a monocot, native to Europe, North Africa, and the Azores. John Gerard in his Herbal (1633) called it knee-holme and stated, "The young and tender sprouts come forth at the first of the Spring, which are eaten in soms places, as the yong tender stalkes of Asparagus...."

Ruscus aculeatus, literally means "broom, sharp-pointed".
Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's Broom) in Berry Photographic Print
Brian Carter Buy Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Gerard recommended the rhizomes to treat kidney stones, "The decoction of the roots of Knee-holme made in wine and drunken, provoketh urine, breaketh the stone, driveth forth gravell and sand...." He attributed to Dioscorides its use to "helpe the head-ache and the yellow jaundice...."

Nicholas Culpeper (Compleat Herbal, 1654) felt the planets ruled plants. "It is a plant of Mars, being of a gallant cleansing and opening quality...root made with wine opens obstructions...helps expel gravel and stone....The decoction of the root drank, and a poultice made of the berries and leaves applied, are effectual in knitting and consolidating broken bones or parts out of joint."

Mrs. Grieve (A Modern Herbal, 1931) explained the derivation of the name, "The matured branches used to be bound into bundles and sold to butchers for sweeping their blocks...." The leaves terminate in a sharp spine; Ruscus aculeatus, literally means "broom, sharp-pointed". She reported, "...Butcher's Broom was used to preserve 'hanged meate' from being eaten by mice...."

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia has a photograph of butcher's broom. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ruscus_aculeatus2.jpg