Leguminosea

Names: Scotch Broom, Irish Broom, Broomtops, Besom.

Habitat: British Isles, Europe and naturalized in North America, SouthAfrica and parts of Asia.

Collection: May be gathered throughout the spring, summer and autumn. The tops may be dried in the sun or by heat.

Part Used: Flowering tops.

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).

Indications: Broom is a valuable remedy where there is a weak heartand 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.

Combinations: Broom can be combined with Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn Berries when treating the heart.

CAUTION: Do not use Broom in pregnancy or hypertension.

Preparations & 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.