What is common broom?

Common broom is an erect shrub growing up to 2 meter. The branches of the common broom grow in large, close fascicles, thus making it suitable for making brooms, hence its name. The leaves are alternate, small and trifoliate. During spring bright yellow flowers are formed, which turn into hairy pots when ripened. When the broom pots are ripe the will burst with crackling sound during hot summer days.

Parts used

All abovegrounds parts of the common broom can be sued but the young tips of the flowering branches are mainly collected.

Phytochemicals

These are typical phytochemicals found in common broom: broom contains following phytochemicals: sparteine, tyramine, dopamine, epinine, luteolin, genistein, sorothamnoside, scoparin, flavonoids.

Benefits of common broom

Broom is mainly used for its diuretic and cathartic properties. Scoparin is responsible for the diuretic activity of the common broom.
Broom is used a heart tonic. Sparteine causes initially an increase of the blood pressure, followed by a longer period of decreased lower blood pressure. Sparteine acts anti-arrhythmic by decreasing the stimulation of the heart nerves.
Broom is also know to be oxytocic and influences uterine interactions.

Broom should not be used for self-medication because it can be toxic and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Other facts

The latin name Scoparius is derived from the Latin scopa, meaning besom. The bloom flowers produce a lot of pollen ,which are collected by bees. Broom flowers don?t produce honey. The bark of common broom conatins a lot of tannins which have been used in the past for tanning leather. Broom was used as a medicinal plant during the Middle Ages. Broom appeared in the London Pharmacopceia of 1618.

Other names

Irish tops, basam, green broom