Nutri Herb

Herb Library:  Butcher's Broom

Botanical Names

ruscus aculeatus

Common Names

kneeholy, knee holly, kneeholm, jew's myrtle, sweet broom, pettigree, box holly

Plant Description

Butcher's Broom, a member of the lily family, is a low shrub and evergreen plant with prickly leaves common to woodland areas. It is native to Northern Africa, parts of Southern England, and Western Asia. It has greenish-white flowers and bears red berries. The bundled branches of this plant were used by butchers as brooms, hence the name butcher's broom.

Parts of Butcher's Broom Used in Dietary Supplements

The root, or rhizome, of the Butcher's Broom plant is harvested in autumn and is commonly used in herbal supplements.