English common name is root of butcher’s broom from mother plant Ruscus aculeatus
The root contains steroidal saponins (4–6%), composed of monodesmosidic glycosides of neoruscogenin and bidesmosidic glycosides of ruscogenin. Additionally, it contains sterols and their glycosides, as well as saturated aliphatic acids.
It is used to relieve the feeling of heavy legs in mild venous insufficiency and to alleviate symptoms of hemorrhoids.
The rhizome consists of yellowish, branched pieces with a grooved surface. The outer layer can be easily peeled off.
In pulverized drug under the microscope we can see:
Rosary-like thickened cell walls with oval pits (bordered pits)
Groups of sclereids in various shapes
Parenchymal cells with triangular intercellular spaces
Calcium oxalate raphides, either free or enclosed within cells
