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Dietary supplement

Butcher's Broom Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Butcher's Broom label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Butcher's Broom against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Butcher's Broom is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine 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 Butcher's Broom. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

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 supplement contains one active ingredient: butcher's broom (also called Ruscus aculeatus), a plant extract. Butcher's broom has been studied for leg circulation and vein health.

The capsule itself is an inactive ingredient that holds the herb inside.

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: Circulatory support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), Hemorrhoids, Varicose veins, leg swelling, venous health.
  • 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.

Butcher's broom is possibly effective for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — a condition where veins in the legs struggle to return blood properly. For other uses listed in the research — diabetic retinopathy, hemorrhoids, orthostatic hypotension (dizziness upon standing), and lymphedema — the evidence isn't established enough for us to rate it one way or the other.

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.

Taken by mouth short-term, butcher's broom is generally well tolerated in most healthy adults, though long-term safety data is limited. The most common side effects are digestive: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, dyspepsia (indigestion), and gastritis (stomach irritation).

One case report noted severe vomiting and diarrhea in someone who took it for 5 days, leading to dehydration and other serious problems; that person had poorly controlled diabetes. If you apply it to skin, it may cause a rash or itchy dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

During pregnancy, the safety data advises against use. While breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety information, so it's best to avoid it then too.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

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.

Double-check any alpha-adrenergic agonists you're taking (like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine in decongestants and some blood pressure drugs) and alpha-adrenergic antagonists (like doxazosin or terazosin for blood pressure) — butcher's broom can interfere with how both groups work.

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 leg circulation problems if you have chronic venous insufficiency, but the evidence is limited. The real caution is if you take blood pressure medications or decongestants — check your exact drugs before you start.

Otherwise, expect it to be tolerable short-term for most people, though digestive side effects are possible.

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 24, 2022.

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 Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904001350
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 277996
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
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 Nature's Sunshine, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
099904001350
IngredientAmount% DV
Butcher's Broom800 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule

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.
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.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

We source the world's purest ingredients, no matter where they are grown, to ensure the active nutrients are delivered just as nature intended.

New look! Same great product

Seals/Symbols

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formula

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

Formulation

Circulatory support

Guaranteed pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 2 capsules with a meal twice daily.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine label

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

Butcher's Broom label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine

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

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

Butcher's Broom

Interacts with
158 drugs
800 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...

Butcher's Broom monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Butcher's Broom?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
158Drugs
158 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Butcher's Broom 158

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Butcher's Broom interact with 158 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Butcher's Broom interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Butcher's Broom

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.

Butcher's Broom2 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
Butcher's Broom full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Butcher's Broom by Nature's Sunshine 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 supposed to do?
It's been studied mainly for chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where your leg veins don't pump blood back up as well as they should. That's the one use where the evidence suggests it might help. For varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and other circulatory problems, we don't have enough reliable data yet.
Are there any side effects?
Short-term, most people tolerate it fine. The main side effects are digestive — nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, and stomach irritation. If you apply it as a cream, it might cause an itchy rash on sensitive skin. If you get severe vomiting or diarrhea, stop and talk to your doctor.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
During pregnancy, the safety data advises against it. While breastfeeding, there isn't enough information to say it's safe, so it's best to avoid it then too. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in either situation.
Does it work for varicose veins or hemorrhoids?
The evidence isn't strong enough to say either way right now. Butcher's broom is most studied for chronic venous insufficiency, where there's some evidence it may help. For hemorrhoids and varicose veins specifically, we don't have reliable data.
How long does it take to work?
The product facts don't specify how long you need to take it before you notice a difference, so that's a good question for your pharmacist or doctor.

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
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Butcher's Broom’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Butcher's Broom

Interacts with 158 drugs

Butcher's broom is a plant extract most often used for circulation problems in the legs, such as chronic venous insufficiency, where some evidence suggests it may help reduce swelling and di...

Read the full Butcher's Broom monograph →
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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