Scotch Broom – Sarothamnus scoparius L. (Fabaceae)
Common names: Scotch broom, Broomtops, Common Broom,
European Broom, Irish Broom, English Broom.
.
Botany:
Habitat: Native to Europe and naturalized to North America,
and commonly found along roadsides, and in open woodland.
Description: Perennial deciduous shrub up to 3 m. tall. Erect,
glabrous stems, angled. Lower leaves trifolate and shorstalked,
upper ones simple and unstalked. Bright yellow pea-like
flowers, solitary or coupled. The fruit is a pod 2-3 inches long,
with a hairy fringe, black when ripe.
Cultivation: Grows easily from seed, and does well in most
soils, preferring a fairly good but not rich soil.
Actions: Heart tonic, anti-arrhythmic, hypertensive, peripheral Parts Used:
vasoconstrictor, narcotic, diuretic, anti-hemorrhagic. Flowering tops.
Constituents: Pharmacology:
Quinolizidine Alkaloids (Sparteine, Lupanine Oxytyramine) Quinolizidine Alkaloids: cardioactive.
Scoparin Glycosides - Sparteine: blocks over stimulation to the heart,
Glycosides (Genitoside [genistein], Scoparoside, reduces AV node impulses, extends diastole.
Sarothamnin, Isoflavones). - Oxytyramine: peripheral vasoconstriction, pushing
Bitter principle blood to the heart, increases Blood pressure.
Tannins Scoparoside: diuretic
Coumarins Genitoside: balance hormones, anti-cancer properties.
Flavonoids (Spiraeoside, quercetin) Isoflavones: estrogenic effects.
Phenethylamines (as tyramine, epinine)
Volatile oils.
Uses: History & Folklore:
Broom is used mainly as a remedy for an irregular, fast In the Middle Ages, broom lent its name and its twigs and
heartbeat. It acts on the electrical conductivity of the heart, branches to the tool that housewives used for sweeping.
slowing and regulating the transmission of the impulses. Thus, The herb could ward off witches, it was said, but to use it
use for atria/ventricular fibrillation, extra systoles; irregular in full bloom invited bad luck. An old English saying was
and/or fast heart, arrhythmias, tachycardia, weak heart with quite specific: "If you sweep the house with blossomed
low BP, venous insufficiency, to improve capillary integrity, broom in May, you are sure to sweep the head of the house
and blood return. away."
Broom is also strongly diuretic, stimulating urine production Broom also has a heraldic history. According to one
and thus countering fluid retention esp. of cardiac origin. Since tradition, Geoffrey, count of Anjou (1129-1149), adopted
broom causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, it has been broom as a badge and affixed it to his helmet, perhaps so
used to prevent blood loss after childbirth, or treat post-partum that his troops could easily follow him into battle. A
menorrhagia, and to treat excess menstrual bleeding. century later, a new order of knighthood, founded by Louis
IX of France, chose broom as its emblem of humility
Pharmacy: Cautions, contraindications and toxicity:
Infusion: 10g/500 ml; Dose: 3-4 tbsp 3x/day. Cautions/warnings:
Tincture: 1:5 @45%; ½ – 2 ml 3x/day; Week-max = 20 ml. With blood thinning medications.
External:
Combinations: Contraindications:
With Convalaria for edema of cardiac origin. Avoid in pregnancy and high blood pressure.
Toxicity:
Impaired vision, vomiting, and profuse sweating.
Scotch Broom – Sarothamnus scoparius L. (Fabaceae)