The Ultimate Guide to Using Butcher’s Broom for Hemorrhoids

Butchers Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is an evergreen plant commonly found in Eurasia and is also native to the Mediterranean region.  The term butcher's broom was colloquially coined about the branches of this flowering plant being bundled together and used as brooms, of course, by butchers.   

What is Butcher's Broom?

Butcher’s broom also goes by a few other names:

• Kneeholy
• Jew’s Myrtle
• Pettigree
• Sweet Broom

In the springtime, small green flowers bloom on this evergreen plant, and for female plants, red berries follow.  Birds eat these berries and distribute butcher’s broom seeds, spreading them throughout.

Ages ago, it has been discovered that this plant effectively treats chronic venous insufficiency, and there have been numerous scientific studies to support butcher's broom's positive effects in doing so.

Venous insufficiency is also related to hemorrhoids, and so with butcher’s broom working to treat venous issues, it was quickly tested in treating hemorrhoids. 

As you will notice in your hunt for hemorrhoid medication, butcher’s broom is commonly utilized in ointments, supplements, and many other hemorrhoid treatments.

Hemorrhoids consist of a collection of swollen veins, soft rectal tissues, and smooth rectal muscles that form into an anal protrusion.  Hemorrhoids are defined as a symptomatic enlargement of an anal cushion or a prolapsed, protruding anal cushion.

Butcher’s Broom for Hemorrhoids Treatment 

Studies for the treatment of venous insufficiency found that butcher’s broom dispelled venous tension and symptoms of dysfunctional veins. 

Butcher’s broom, in reality, has more studies and research under its belt for chronic venous insufficiency than it does for its use in hemorrhoid treatment.  

However, one could draw a hypothesis from the numerous venous studies and effectively reach a similar conclusion that butcher’s broom would have similar, beneficial effects for that of hemorrhoids.

Because hemorrhoids are primarily composed of swollen veins among other anal cushion components, the effects of butcher's broom are still applicable to aid in reducing venous constriction. 

These sensitive anal cushions can have protrusions that form either internally or externally and can co-occur or one at a time, and this separates hemorrhoids into these two divisions.

You may be curious as to how to treat internal hemorrhoids if they can be neither seen nor accessed unless you are a doctor.  Butcher's broom can be consumed in the form of a dietary supplement to improve hemorrhoid symptoms. 

Externally, butcher’s broom is found in several over the counter creams that can be applied directly to hemorrhoids that form outside the anus.  To the same effect as its supplement component, butcher’s broom in applicant form helps restore blood supply and circulation.

What is the Correct Dosage of Butcher’s Broom? 

Butcher’s broom is available in supplement products that can be taken in tablet, capsule, or pill form.  The dosage is listed on the nutritional label on the product’s packaging, per the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

For example, the popular brand name Nature's Way carries a butcher's broom dietary supplement with 470 mg of the plant, listing one tablet as the proper dosage. 

The labeling for this brand includes other ingredients in its formula, and among other natural additives, also contains extracts such as gingko leaf, pine bark, and grape seed.

470 mg is the typical dosage for butcher's broom supplements.  Other brands like Puritan's Pride butcher's broom also indicate that at a daily serving of 1 capsule per day, you are safely ingesting 470 mg.

Taking more than the recommended dose can lead to an upset stomach or nausea.  You should talk to your doctor before considering taking butcher’s broom.  Taking this supplement for long periods of time can have adverse health effects.  

There is not enough data to support safely taking butcher's broom for a long-term solution for hemorrhoids.  You should keep this in mind if you have reoccurring hemorrhoids because there could be other potential changes to your lifestyle or diet that can be taken for a more effective means of controlling your hemorrhoids. 

Butcher’s Broom Reviews for Hemorrhoids 

Amazon offers the ability to read customer reviews to determine how effective butcher’s broom is in treating hemorrhoids.  You will see that many consumers use butcher’s broom as a way to treat varicose veins, but many use this plant product to relieve hemorrhoids.

For those indicating that they have used butcher’s broom in treating hemorrhoids, they report successful results, noting that hemorrhoids quickly subsided within a few days of taking this supplement. 

Some users reported that after taking butcher’s broom as a supplement to aid in the shrinkage of hemorrhoids, they experienced things like stomach cramps, pain, bloating, and excessive flatulence. However, according to many reviews on various butcher’s broom products, this seems to be a minimal experience. 

Does Butcher's Broom Work for Internal Hemorrhoids? 

Internal hemorrhoids consist of a series of veins, tissues, and muscles that have become inflamed in the anal cushion.  When taking butcher’s broom, the supplement does the same for inflamed hemorrhoids as it would for varicose veins.  

Butcher's broom reestablishes the flow of blood supply to the lower rectum, and this can return the anal cushion to normal.  Keep in mind that butcher's broom does not work for everyone, and your internal hemorrhoids may not respond to this supplement right away. 

While butcher’s broom can reduce the internal swelling of these anal protrusions, you should couple this method with a change of diet.  Eat foods with fiber, like whole grains, leafy greens, any food in the bean family, nuts, and plenty of fruits.  This can target the issue of straining, which leads to hemorrhoids.

Straining can happen because you are constipated, overweight, continually lift heavy objects, or for women who are pregnant.  By eliminating as much straining as possible, you can reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids.

Butcher’s broom may be helpful in some areas of reducing internal hemorrhoids, but other methods should be practiced to lower the risk of developing them in the first place.  By working on both treatment and prevention, you can keep hemorrhoid flare-ups at a minimum.

Does Butcher's Broom Work for Bleeding Hemorrhoids?

If you have bleeding hemorrhoids, the first step in treatment should be talking to your doctor right away.  Bleeding is an indication of a complication of a hemorrhoid, or it could be a sign of a separate, unrelated gastrointestinal disease. 

Butcher's broom's effectiveness may fall short regarding relieving rectal bleeding and bleeding hemorrhoids.  This plant performs well concerning returning circulation and blood supply in the rectal veins to normalcy.

For bleeding hemorrhoids, a change of diet should be considered.  Internal hemorrhoids produce bleeding, but it is painless due to the lower rectum’s lack of nerve endings.

Butcher’s broom does not help with the softening of stools, but instead, this plant extract focuses on blood and its circulation.  For bleeding hemorrhoids, you should consider a dietary alternative, like foods with more fiber, or even a stool softener. 

Bleeding because of a ruptured thrombosed hemorrhoid will not be resolved by taking butcher's broom.  There could be a risk of infection, so use an anti-bacterial treatment right away, and let your doctor know.  Keep an eye on the broken skin and continue treating it with ointments that stop an infection from occurring.

Is Butcher’s Broom Safe for Hemorrhoids?

The answer to this long-posed question for hemorrhoid sufferers looking for a solution to their symptoms unfortunately still goes unresolved.  There has not been enough scientific studies or research conducted in determining the actual effectiveness of butcher’s broom for hemorrhoids.

Because butcher’s broom works well for chronic venous insufficiency, one can apply this knowledge for hemorrhoids, but due to lack of a formal study being produced, it would be taking a chance.

There has not been enough evidence in the safety of butcher's broom for its long-term usage.  Many studies have focused on how butcher's broom affects venous insufficiency, but only for a short period.

Conclusion