The
name 'Butcher's Broom' comes from the historical fact that it
used to be collected, tied in bundles and sold to butchers, who
would use it to sweep their blocks, as well as making
mouse-proof cages for preserved meat (which would presumably add
also a nice decoration to an otherwise somber site). No doubt it
was also used in many other situations as a broom or besom.
Another common name was 'Jew's Myrtle', because the Jewish
community used the plant during the Feast of Tabernacles.
Other common names were 'Sweet Broom', ' Kneeholy', 'Kneeholm'
and 'Pettigree'.
Its habitat is in wood, shrub and waste grounds, especially in
the south of England.
Cultivation
"Butcher's
Broom is very hardy, thriving in almost any soil or situation,
and is often planted in shrubberies or edges of woods, on
account of its remaining green after the deciduous trees have
shed their leaves.
Propagation is generally effected by division of the roots in
autumn. The shrub may also be propagated by seed, but quicker
results are obtained by the other method. When planted under
trees it soon spreads into large clumps." (Grieve)
Uses as Food
"The young
shoots of Butcher's Broom have often been eaten like those of
Asparagus, a plant to which it is closely allied.
Medicinal Action
and Uses
"Parts
used. The root or rhizome, collected in the autumn. The root
is thick, striking deep into the ground. When dry, it is
brownish grey, 2 to 4 inches long and ½ inch in diameter,
having somewhat crowded rings and rounded stem scars on the
upper surface and many woody rootlets below. If a transverse
section be made, a number of vascular bundles in the central
portion are to be seen. The root has no odour, but its taste is
sweetish at first and then slightly acrid.
The whole herb is also collected, being dried in the same manner
as Holly leaves.
Medicinal
action and uses. Diaphoretic, diuretic, deobstruent and
aperient. Was much recommended by Dioscores and other ancient
physicians as an aperient and diuretic in dropsy, urinary
obstructions and nephritic cases.
A decoction of the root is the usual form of administration, and
it is still considered of use in jaundice and gravel. One pint
of boiling water to 1 oz. of the twigs, or ½ oz. of the bruised
fresh root has also been recommended as an infusion, which may
be taken as tea.
In scrofulous tumours, advantage has been realised by
administering the root in doses of a drachm every morning.
The decoction, sweetened with honey, is said to clear the chest
of phlegm and relieve difficult breathing.
The boughs have been employed for flogging chilblains." (Grieve)
"A plant of
Mars, being of a gallant cleansing and opening quality. The
decoction of the root drank, and a poultice made of the berries
and leaves applied, are effectual in knitting and consolidating
broken bones or parts out of joint. The common way of using it
is to boil the root of it, and Parsley and Fennel and Smallage
in white wine, and drink the decoction, adding the like quantity
of Grassroot to them: The more of the root you boil, the
stronger will the decoction be; it works no ill effects, yet I
hope you have wit enough to give the strongest decoction to the
strongest bodies." (Culpepper)
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