Broom

Scientific Name(s): Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link.
Common Name(s): Bannal, Besenginaterkraut, Broom, Broom top, Ginsterkraut, Herba genistac scopariae, Herba spartii scoparii, Herbe de genet a balais, Hog weed, Irish broom top, Sarothamni herb, Scoparii cacumina, Scotch broom, Scotch broom top

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 27, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Clinical trials are lacking to support any pharmacological use.

Dosing

There is no recent clinical evidence to guide dosing. Traditional dosing used 1 tsp of the chopped flower shoots in water 3 to 4 times a day or 1 to 1.5 g of the dried herb. Extracts and tinctures have also been prepared.

Contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnancy and cardiomyopathies, including hypertension.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. There are documented adverse effects; broom contains sparteine, a powerful oxytocic compound.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Cardiovascular and CNS effects have been described.

Toxicology

Toxic effects include weakness, blurred vision, loss of coordination, dysrhythmias, nausea, and vomiting. Long-term use of sparteine has been associated with twitching and hyperreflexia, dysphagia, and pyramidal effects. The plant is considered toxic to livestock.

Scientific Family

• Fabaceae (bean)

Botany

Broom is native to central and southern Europe. It grows throughout the United States along the eastern coastline and across the Pacific Northwest and is considered a noxious weed in some states. The plant grows as a deciduous bush up to 1.8 m tall and possesses 5-sided, greenish, rod-like twigs with small leaves. It is often used as an outdoor ornamental to hold steep, barren banks in place against erosion. The plant blossoms from March to June and bears golden-yellow flowers, with 2.5 to 5 cm long, flat seed pods appearing later. The branches of the plant have been used in making brooms, thatching, and screens, and the bark as rope and in tanning. The flower buds were used as a caper substitute.USDA 2014, Weber 2009 Synonyms include Sarothamnus scoparius (L.) Wimm. and Spartius scoparium L.Weber 2009

History

In early North American traditional medicine, a fluid extract of broom was used as a cathartic and diuretic. Large doses of the extract were used as an emetic. Sparteine, an alkaloid found in broom, was once used as a labor inducer and antiarrhythmic, but it has now been abandoned for safer compounds.

The plant has been touted as a potential drug of abuse or "legal high." Before the advent of hops, the tender green tops were used to impart bitterness and to increase the intoxicating effects of beer. In homeopathy, extracts of the plant are used for the management of arrhythmias, congestion of the head and throat, and occasionally for diphtheria.Blumenthal 2000, Duke 2003, Tyler 1987

Chemistry

The main alkaloid in the plant is sparteine. It is found in the floral parts of the plant in concentrations ranging up to 0.22%, but possibly exceeding 1.5% in other parts. Related alkaloids have also been isolated. The compounds chrysanthemexanthin, dopamine, epinine, furfurol, tyrosine, luteolin, orientin, quercetin, scoparin, and tyramine have been identified in the plant parts.

The seeds contain the toxic alkaloid cytisine (similar in structure to nicotine), sitosterol, genistein, and linoleic acid. Tyramine has been identified in the flowering parts along with flavonoids, isoflavones, and other constituents.Duke 2003...