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Dietary supplement

Butcher's Broom Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Hawaii Pharm

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Butcher's Broom is a dietary supplement by Hawaii Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, leg swelling and heaviness.Based on those ingredients, 158 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are certified organic Butcher's Broom extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Butcher's Broom by Hawaii Pharm

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: certified organic Butcher's Broom extract, a liquid made from the plant Ruscus aculeatus. Butcher's Broom has been traditionally used to support healthy circulation, particularly in the legs and lower body.

The extract is suspended in vegetable palm glycerin, pharmaceutical-grade alcohol, and purified water — the latter two are inactive ingredients that help deliver and preserve the extract.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: circulation and vein health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), Varicose veins, Hemorrhoids, leg swelling, venous insufficiency.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Butcher's Broom is rated "Possibly Effective" for Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Butcher's Broom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Hemorrhoids, Varicose veins.

The evidence for butcher's broom is mixed. For chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — a condition where veins in the legs have trouble returning blood to the heart — it's rated possibly effective, meaning some clinical evidence supports its use.

For other conditions like diabetic retinopathy, hemorrhoids, orthostatic hypotension (dizziness when standing), and lymphedema, there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it works. Talk with your doctor about whether butcher's broom fits your specific situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Butcher's Broom

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Butcher's Broom is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth short-term in healthy adults, though long-term safety data is limited. The most common side effects are digestive: diarrhea, indigestion, stomach irritation, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.

In rare cases, these effects have been severe — one person hospitalized with dehydration and electrolyte problems after five days of use. If applied to skin, it can cause contact dermatitis (an itchy, rash-like reaction) in sensitive individuals.

Safety during pregnancy has not been established, so it's best avoided. There isn't enough safety information for breastfeeding either, so avoid use then as well.

If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Butcher's Broom

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Butcher's Broom.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 158 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your pharmacist or use the medication tool on this page if you take any alpha-adrenergic agonists (drugs that stimulate your nervous system's alpha receptors, like certain decongestants and blood pressure medications) or alpha-adrenergic antagonists (medications that block those receptors). Both interactions are Moderate severity.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Butcher's Broom may help with chronic venous insufficiency if that's your concern, but check your medications first — especially any that affect blood pressure or your nervous system's alpha receptors. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, skip it.

And if you notice stomach upset, dial back or stop and talk with us.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 23, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Butcher's Broom, straight from the product label.

Brand Hawaii Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 650905483332
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 23, 2020
DSLD ID 237387
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Butcher's Broom by Hawaii Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
650905483332
IngredientAmount% DV
certified organic Butcher's Broom extract970 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Palm Glycerin, pharmaceutical grade Alcohol, artesian Hawaiian purified Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Hawaii Pharm Herbal Extract Highest quality since 2008

Made with Aloha!

Formulation

Contains no GMO, gluten, artificial colors, heavy metals, preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers.

Super concentrated liquid herbal extract. Dry herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3.

Manufactured in an FDA registered facility.

Non GMO Gluten free

Made in USA, Hawaii

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions for use: Shake well before using. Take about 20-30 drops (0.7-1 ml, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) to 2-4 oz of juice or water up to 4 times per day.

Precautions

Warning: Keep out of the reach of children.

May have contraindications. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking.

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing or taking any medications.

Do not use if seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

Formula

(Ruscus aculeatus)

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

FDA Registered Facility Made in United States of America USA

See for yourself

Butcher's Broom by Hawaii Pharm label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Butcher's Broom by Hawaii Pharm

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

970 mg per serving

Butcher's broom is a plant extract most often used for circulation problems in the legs, such as chronic venous insufficiency, where some evidence sug...

Certified organic Butcher's Broom extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Palm Glycerin, Pharmaceutical grade Alcohol, Artesian Hawaiian purified Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Butcher's Broom by Hawaii Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Butcher's Broom?

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158Drugs
158 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Butcher's Broom with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

certified organic Butcher's Broom extract2 drug types · 158 drugs

Alpha-Adrenergic Agonists

Theoretically, butcher's broom might increase the effects and adverse effects of alpha-adrenergic agonists.
Animal and in vitro studies show that butcher's broom has alpha-adrenergic agonist effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Alpha-Adrenergic Antagonists

Theoretically, butcher's broom might reduce the effects of alpha-adrenergic antagonists.
Animal and in vitro studies show that butcher's broom has alpha-adrenergic agonist effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Butcher's Broom, from the product label.

Hawaii Pharm

See all Hawaii Pharm products
Name
Hawaii Pharm LLC
City
Honolulu
State
HI
ZipCode
96815
Web Address
www.hawaiipharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Butcher's Broom by Hawaii Pharm: Common Questions

Does Butcher's Broom by Hawaii Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Butcher's Broom has a known interaction with 158 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Butcher's Broom contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is Butcher's Broom used for?
Butcher's Broom is traditionally used to support healthy circulation, especially in the legs. There's some clinical evidence it may help with chronic venous insufficiency (a condition where veins struggle to return blood to the heart), though evidence for other uses like hemorrhoids or diabetic eye problems isn't established yet.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — safety hasn't been established in pregnancy, so it's best avoided. There also isn't enough safety information for breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or nursing.
What side effects might I notice?
The most common are digestive — diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, stomach irritation, and vomiting. If you apply it to your skin, it can cause an itchy rash in sensitive people. Stop and call us if side effects are bad or don't ease.
How long have people safely used this?
It's well tolerated short-term in healthy adults, but we don't have much long-term safety data. If you're thinking of taking it for months or longer, check in with your pharmacist or doctor about how to do that safely.
Does this interact with blood pressure medications?
It may, depending on the type. Butcher's Broom activates certain receptors in your nervous system, so it could reduce the effect of some blood pressure drugs or increase the effect of others. Check your exact medication with the tool on this page before starting.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Butcher's Broom is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Butcher's Broom label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Butcher's Broom's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 8 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Butcher's Broom 8 references
  1. Beltramino R, Penenory A, Buceta AM. An open-label, randomized multicenter study comparing the efficacy and safety of Cyclo 3 Fort versus hydroxyethyl rutoside in chronic venous lymphatic insufficiency. Angiology 2000;51:535-44.. PubMed
  2. Redman DA. Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom) as a potential treatment for orthostatic hypotension, with a case report. J Altern Complement Med 2000;6:539-49..
  3. Landa, N., Aguirre, A., Goday, J., Raton, J. A., and Diaz-Perez, J. L. Allergic contact dermatitis from a vasoconstrictor cream. Contact Dermatitis 1990;22(5):290-291. PubMed
  4. Cluzan, R. V., Alliot, F., Ghabboun, S., and Pascot, M. Treatment of secondary lymphedema of the upper limb with CYCLO 3 FORT. Lymphology 1996;29(1):29-35.
  5. Parrado F, Buzzi A. A study of the efficacy and tolerability of a preparation containing Ruscus aculeatus in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Clin Drug Invest 1999;18(4):255-61. DOI
  6. Sadarmin PP, Timperley J. An unusual case of Butcher's Broom precipitating diabetic ketoacidosis. J Emerg Med 2013;45(3):e63-e65. PubMed
  7. Ramirez-Hernandez M, Garcia-Selles J, Merida-Fernandez C, Martinez-Escribano JA. Allergic contact dermatitis to ruscogenins. Contact Dermatitis 2006;54(1):60. PubMed
  8. European Medicines Agency. Assessment report on Ruscus Aculeatus L rhizome. EMEA/HMPC/261939/2007. London, September 4, 2008. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2009/12/WC500018288.pdf. Acces

See these in context on the Butcher's Broom monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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