Butcher's broom
Butcher's broom suppliers and sourcing guide
Butcher's broom is Ruscus aculeatus, a small evergreen shrub of the Mediterranean region whose underground rhizome and roots are the traded part. The rhizome contains steroidal saponins (ruscogenin and neoruscogenin). Brands buy dried, powdered rhizome and hydroalcoholic extracts standardized to total ruscogenins, mostly for capsules and topical products.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Ruscus aculeatus · box holly · knee holly · Rusci rhizoma
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of butcher's broom
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Rhizome powder
Dried, milled rhizome and root for capsules, usually not standardized.
Standardized extract
Hydroalcoholic extract dried to a powder and sold on total ruscogenins (ruscogenin plus neoruscogenin) by HPLC or GC.
Liquid extract
Hydroalcoholic extract of the rhizome for liquid and topical products.
Cosmetic grade extract
Extract sold for personal care under an INCI name such as Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity (HPTLC)
- Fingerprint to confirm Ruscus aculeatus rhizome.
- Ruscogenins assay
- Total ruscogenins after hydrolysis, by a named HPLC or GC method; the COA should state the method and the hydrolysis step.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli or coliforms, and Salmonella.
- Pesticide residues
- Multi-residue pesticide screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
- Physical tests
- Loss on drying, mesh or particle size, bulk density and, for extracts, the extract ratio, carrier and residual solvent.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep powder and extract sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with the ruscogenin assay repeated at retest.
Lots and expiry dates
Ruscogenin content varies with harvest and with the share of rhizome versus aerial parts, so check each lot's assay against your specification. Record the supplier lot and origin, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Ruscus aculeatus (POL-NF-00670) covers the whole plant and lists it as not novel in food supplements.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for butcher's broom, the root of Ruscus aculeatus L.
Source: ema.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Butcher's broom suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking butcher's broom suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell butcher's broom? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of butcher's broom can brands buy?
Common forms include rhizome powder, standardized extract, liquid extract and cosmetic grade extract. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for butcher's broom include?
Expect identity (HPTLC), ruscogenins assay, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should butcher's broom be stored?
Keep powder and extract sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry place away from light. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with the ruscogenin assay repeated at retest.
What is the regulatory status of butcher's broom?
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Ruscus aculeatus (POL-NF-00670) covers the whole plant and lists it as not novel in food supplements. The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for butcher's broom, the root of Ruscus aculeatus L.
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