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June 2006
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In this issue:
This month we will discuss a very effective herb, which has a fascinating history of use: Butcher’s Broom, also known as Box Holly or Jew’s Myrtle, classified as Ruscus Aculeatus.
Description
Butcher’s Broom is a small, clump-forming shrub with erect shoots, looking much like asparagus shoots, also known as cladophylls. Tiny green flowers appear in the late winter and spring on the cladophylls.
History And Traditional Uses
The history of Butcher’s Broom starts some two thousand years ago in Europe and has been used mainly as a laxative and diuretic agent. Other uses included treating urinary, gastrointestinal, and reproductive disorders.
Traditionally the roots were decocted in water or wine as a treatment for abdominal complaints and the Greek physician Dioscorides reported its laxative effects as well as its use as a treatment for kidney stones.
Nicholas Culpepper, the seventeenth century herbalist, reported that the root decoction taken orally, or the topical application of a poultice made from the berries, assisted in the knitting of fractured bones.
Today, it is used mainly for disorders involving the circulatory system – and primary to look after the health of veins and arteries, making it an excellent herb to use for varicose veins, as well as piles.
Mature branches of the plant were bound together and sold as brooms to butchers, to clean their blocks, hence the name “Butcher’s Broom”. The dried branches are also bound together and attached to a stick, to be used as a besom or broom in Italy. It is also reported that the herb was used to preserve “hanged meat” from being eaten by mice (Parkinson).
Parts Used
The whole herb is used, but specifically the root or rhizome. The young shoots, which are very much like asparagus, can also be eaten.
Medicinal Action And Uses
Internal
A decoction of the root is used to internally treat problems, which vary from varicose veins to piles, also in other cases where the veins and capillaries can do with strengthening. An infusion of Butcher’s Broom is also traditionally given as a mild laxative or diuretic and is used to treat jaundice, gout and kidney and bladder stones.
External
Butcher’s Broom is often used in preparations to help ease hemorrhoids (piles), especially the swelling, pain and heaviness. One of the main constituents of the herb is ruscogenine, which is a powerful vaso-constrictor, effectively strengthening and tightening veins.
This powerful action of boosting the veins and the capillaries makes it a very effective product to use in skin care, and for this reason it is used in our Ageless Herbal Eye Gel to relieve puffiness and to remove waste material and excess external cellular fluids from the tissue surrounding the eyes.
It has excellent anti-edema and anti-inflammatory effects, due to the a-adrenergic stimulation of the blood capillaries. The application of Butcher’s Broom helps to stimulate circulation in the skin and also perks up the flow of lymphatic fluids, while still not irritating even ultra-sensitive skins.
The powerful stimulating properties of this herb will help not only with circulation, but also with waste removal from the skin, while strengthening the veins and capillaries.
Butcher’s Broom extracts are also used in skin care preparations for varicose veins and cellulite, products that remove make-up, in treatments for cuperosis (cuperose) and products aimed at improving blood flow to weary legs.
Butcher’s Broom is used in the following of our products:
Zinc is one of the trace elements that we should never be without, as all people require it for a healthy immune system and therefore is may be wise, when looking to supplement your diet, to choose one that contains a zinc supplement as well. It is very effective when used to fight skin problems, such as acne and boils.
Cells require zinc for proper working and cell division, and zinc is also needed by the tissue of the hair, nails and skin to be in top form. Zinc is further used in the growth and maintenance of muscles, as well as normal growth and development.
It seems that zinc also helps to control the oil glands, and is required for the synthesis of protein and collagen - which is important for wound healing and to maintain a generally healthy skin.
Deficiency of zinc
A deficiency will result in an under-performing immune system, frequent infections, allergies, night blindness, loss of smell and taste, loss of hair, white spots under finger nails, skin problems, sleep disturbances, male problems etc.
Men with a zinc shortage may have a problem with fertility, while women may experience irregular periods. Children with too little zinc may have stunted growth and slow maturity.
Dosage
Very small amounts of zinc are required and intake should be limited to under 100 mg per day, as a very large dosage may result in nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness and hallucinations and may also impact negatively on the immune system.
Best used with
Zinc combines well with copper, calcium, phosphorous, selenium, vitamin A, B6 and E. All these are necessary for a correct nutritional balance.
When more may be required
Men should always ensure enough zinc in their diets, since the health of their prostate gland is linked to zinc. Zinc is also needed to manufacture testosterone.
Zinc may also be helpful in fighting infection and inflammation of the prostate gland in older men. If a woman is taking a birth control pill, or receiving hormone replacement therapy, extra zinc may be indicated.
All vegans and vegetarians should also consider their zinc intake, as well as people suffering from psoriasis and women, while pregnant or lactating.
People consuming large amounts of alcohol may also be at risk of lowered zinc levels
Enemy of zinc
Certain whole grains contain phytic acid, which binds to zinc, making it un-absorbable. Zinc is also lost through excessive sweating. Zinc is destroyed in the milling process and is also lost in cooking.
Other interesting points
Sucking zinc tablets may help with fighting a cold, although some people experience nausea from sucking these tablets.
Food sources of zinc
Great sources are found in meat, particularly animal muscle meat, poultry, fish and seafood, while grains, nuts, eggs, seeds and brewer's yeast also supply good quality zinc.
Zinc is found in our:
Other articles of interest 
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