Welcome to the story…Butcher’s Broom!
Butcher’s broom is wonderful evergreen that not only brightens up the woodlands all year round but provides us with valuable medicine too! It’s been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years and there is no need for us to stop now!
It’s root and rootstock are prized in herbal medicine because they contain various active compounds, including flavonoids and many others. These compounds can help reduce inflammation, reduce blood pressure and much more.
It’s IMPORTANT to point out that the berries are not edible, however the seeds inside the berries can be dried and used as a coffee substitute!
The ‘leaves’ are technically stems and the flowers bloom out the side of them.
You will find it growing in well established woodlands and it particularly likes it down here in the south of the UK.
It gets it’s name after butcher’s using the plant as a brush for their chopping blocks.
Scientific name: Ruscus aculeatus
Happy foraging!!