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Broom
Sarothamnus scoparius Leguminosea
Broom is a valuable remedy where there is a weak heart and low blood pressure.
warning
Common namesScotch broom, Irish broom, broomtops, besom
HabitatBritish Isles, Europe, naturalized in North America, South Africa and parts of Asia
Constituents Quinolizidine alkaloids: sparteine, lupanine, l3-hydroxy-lupanine, isosparteine, ammodendrine, N-methylangustifoline, dihydro-lupanine and various derivatives
Phenethylamines such as tyramine, hydroxytyramine, epinine and salsolidine
Isoflavone glycosides including genistein, 3'-0-methylorobol, 7-glucosyl-3-0- methylorobol, scoparin and sarothamnoside
Other flavonoids such as quercitin, isoquercitin and spiraeoside
Essential oil, containing cis-3-hexen-l-ol, l-octen-3-ol, benzylalcohol, phenol, cresols, guiacol, eugenol, isovaleric acid and benzoic acid
Miscellaneous: caffeic and p-coumaric acids, tannins and pigments
The seeds contain lectins (phytohaemagglutinins)
Phenethylamines such as tyramine, hydroxytyramine, epinine and salsolidine
Isoflavone glycosides including genistein, 3'-0-methylorobol, 7-glucosyl-3-0- methylorobol, scoparin and sarothamnoside
Other flavonoids such as quercitin, isoquercitin and spiraeoside
Essential oil, containing cis-3-hexen-l-ol, l-octen-3-ol, benzylalcohol, phenol, cresols, guiacol, eugenol, isovaleric acid and benzoic acid
Miscellaneous: caffeic and p-coumaric acids, tannins and pigments
The seeds contain lectins (phytohaemagglutinins)
Actions cardioactive diuretic, hypertensive, peripheral vasoconstrictor, astringent
Indications
Broom is a valuable remedy where there is a weak heart and low blood pressure. Since it is also a diuretic and produces peripheral constriction of the blood vessels while increasing the efficiency of each stroke of the heart, it can be used where water retention occurs due to heart weakness. Broom is used in cases of over-profuse menstruation.
King's Dispensatory warns against high dosage as it can cause unwanted symptoms of impaired vision, vomiting and profuse sweating.
CombinationBroom can be combined with lily of the valley and hawthorn berries when treating the heart.
Preparation & dosage
- Infusion
- Pour a cup of boiling water onto l teaspoonful of the dried herb and let infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
- Tincture
- Take l-2ml of the tincture three times a day.
© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.