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Butcher's Broom in Neuralisse: Leg Vein Research and a Diabetes Caution
Butcher's broom root extract is third in the 575 mg Neuralisse blend, so a capsule holds at most 191 mg. The label prints no amount. MSKCC says studies show benefit for leg vein problems, but no nerve studies were found. MSKCC also lists diabetes as a reason not to take it, after a ketoacidosis report.
Written by the Neuralisse editorial teamUpdated
The basics
What is butcher's broom?
Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a small, spiny evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean. Supplements use an extract of its root.
It has a long history as a folk remedy for circulation in the legs. Today it is mostly sold for leg comfort and vein support, often mixed with other plant extracts. The name is said to come from butchers who once used its stiff branches to sweep their blocks.
| Label name | Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) Root Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Ruscus aculeatus · Mediterranean shrub root |
| Position in the blend | 3 of 6 (labels list blend ingredients from most to least by weight) |
| Amount per capsule | Not disclosed; at most 191 mg by label math |
| Amount used in research | Studied in a combination product for leg vein symptoms; no nerve trials |
| Strength of evidence | Some (leg veins only) |
| Why it is used | Traditional herb for circulation in the legs |
| Main caution | MSKCC lists diabetes as a reason not to take it (a ketoacidosis report); diarrhea, itchy skin. |
On the label
How much butcher's broom is in Neuralisse?
The amount is not printed. Butcher's broom is third of six in the 575 mg blend, so label math caps it at 191 mg per capsule.
The label lists it as "Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) Root Extract". It does not say how concentrated the extract is or what it is standardized to. That makes it hard to compare with any product used in research.
Because ingredients in a blend are listed by weight (FDA, Labeling guide), the third one can be at most one-third of the total. One-third of 575 mg is about 191 mg. Since magnesium glycinate fills a large share of the blend, the true amount is likely lower.
| Label name | Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) Root Extract |
|---|---|
| Position in blend | 3 of 6 |
| Printed amount | Not published |
| Extract strength | Not published |
| Most it could weigh | 191 mg per capsule |
Research
What is butcher's broom used for, according to research?
The main use with support is chronic venous insufficiency of the legs. MSKCC, the cancer center's herb database, says studies show benefit for that condition, where leg veins struggle to move blood back to the heart (MSKCC, Butcher's broom).
- Leg veins: some benefit in studies, often with butcher's broom given as part of a combination product.
- Hemorrhoids: MSKCC says the evidence is lacking.
- Nerves: our sources list no studies of butcher's broom for nerve health or nerve comfort.
So butcher's broom is the ingredient in Neuralisse with the weakest link to nerves. The brand has not said why it was included. A reasonable guess is the circulation angle, since leg comfort and foot comfort can feel related. But no research in our sources connects it to nerve symptoms.
Dose check
How does the Neuralisse amount compare with study doses?
No direct comparison is possible. Our sources give no standard dose for butcher's broom, and the studies often used it in a mix with other ingredients.
| Question | Neuralisse | Research |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per day | At most 191 mg | No dose in our sources |
| Extract strength | Not published | Varies by product |
| Studied alone? | Mixed with 5 others | Often in a combination product (MSKCC, Butcher's broom) |
| Studied for nerves? | Sold in a nerve formula | No nerve studies found |
The honest answer is that nobody can say whether the amount in a capsule is enough for anything. That is the cost of a proprietary blend with no printed amounts.
Safety
Is butcher's broom safe?
Most people tolerate it, but MSKCC lists diarrhea and itchy skin as reported side effects (MSKCC, Butcher's broom). Its biggest caution is for people with diabetes.
MSKCC lists diabetes as a reason not to take butcher's broom. This follows a case report of diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous buildup of acids in the blood, in a person with diabetes who used it (MSKCC, Butcher's broom). One report does not prove cause, but it is a clear reason to check with your doctor.
This matters for Neuralisse in particular. Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy), so many people who look at a nerve formula will have diabetes. Natural does not always mean safe, and supplements can interact with medicines (ODS, What you need to know).
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Who should ask a doctor before taking butcher's broom?
People with diabetes
Type 1 or type 2, on any treatment. Show your doctor the full label.
Medicine users
Anyone on prescriptions, as the label itself advises.
Vein patients
Anyone already treated for leg vein problems, so care is not doubled up.
Our take
Does butcher's broom belong in a nerve support formula?
It is the hardest ingredient to justify. It has some support for leg veins, none for nerves in our sources, and a diabetes caution that cuts against the people most likely to buy the product.
Pros
- Some research support for leg vein symptoms
- Mild side effects for most users
- Clearly named on the label, with its Latin name
Cons
- No nerve studies in our sources
- MSKCC lists diabetes as a do-not-take
- No amount or extract strength printed
All six
Which ingredients come before and after butcher's broom?
It follows alpha-lipoic acid and comes before L-carnitine in the blend.
If your feet or legs feel numb, swollen or painful, see a doctor rather than guessing with a supplement. Check your feet every day if you have diabetes, since early care lowers the risk of serious problems (CDC, Diabetes and your feet). To see if the product suits you at all, read who Neuralisse is for.
FAQ
Butcher's broom in Neuralisse FAQ
What is butcher's broom used for?
Butcher's broom is mostly used for leg vein problems. MSKCC says studies show benefit for chronic venous insufficiency of the legs, often with the herb in a combination product. Evidence for hemorrhoids is lacking, and our sources list no studies of butcher's broom for nerve health.
How much butcher's broom is in Neuralisse?
The label does not print it. As the third of six ingredients in a 575 mg blend, butcher's broom can weigh at most 191 mg per capsule. The extract strength is not printed either, so the amount of active plant compounds is unknown.
Can diabetics take butcher's broom?
MSKCC lists diabetes as a reason not to take butcher's broom, after a reported case of diabetic ketoacidosis. Since Neuralisse contains it, people with diabetes should show the label to their doctor before starting. Do not change your diabetes care or medicines on your own.
What are the side effects of butcher's broom?
MSKCC lists diarrhea and itchy skin as reported side effects. Most people tolerate it, but there is also a case report of diabetic ketoacidosis in a person with diabetes. Stop taking it and call your doctor if you notice anything unusual after starting.
Does butcher's broom help neuropathy?
There is no evidence for that in our sources. Butcher's broom has some research support for leg vein symptoms only. Numbness, tingling or burning in the feet can come from diabetes and many other causes, so a doctor's exam is the right first step.
Why is butcher's broom in Neuralisse?
The brand has not explained the choice. Butcher's broom is a traditional herb for leg circulation, which may be the reason. Our sources show no studies linking it to nerve comfort, so its role in a nerve formula is not backed by research.
Is butcher's broom the same as horse chestnut?
No. Butcher's broom comes from the root of Ruscus aculeatus, a Mediterranean shrub, while horse chestnut is a different plant. Both are sold for leg vein comfort, which is why they are often confused. Neuralisse lists only butcher's broom, and its label does not include horse chestnut.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from the bottle label, the order page and linked public health sources such as NIH, FDA and CDC.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by an American stocking outlet for Neuralisse, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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Side effects
Side effects of all six Neuralisse ingredients, the medicines they clash with, and when to stop.
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