Broom
Parts Usually Used
Young flowering twigs, tops, and seeds
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
An attractive, evergreen shrub, it has bright green, almost leafless stems; erect green branches from which oval leaflets grow, with bright yellow pea-like flowers, much favored by butterflies, blooms in April to June. The height ranges from 3-10 feet and can be trimmed back after flowering for a more compact shape. Unlike gorse, with which it is sometimes confused, broom rarely sports any prickles.
The fruit is a brownish-black, shaggy pod contains 12-18 seeds. Requires full sun, prefers poor soil with perfect drainage. Another herb, called Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus acluteatus) is extremely popular among European women. They use it to treat discomfort and pain of restless leg syndrome, caused by poor circulation; that heavy leg feeling.
Where Found
A native of Europe, Asia, and Africa, broom has become naturalized in some parts of North America. Found on dry, gravely banks, heaths and hillsides, particularly in the rural areas of the western United States.
Medicinal Properties
Tops: cathartic, diuretic Seed: cathartic, emetic
Biochemical Information
Alkaloids, hydroxylramine, 42% potash, and ruscogenins, tannin, bitter principle, and traces of an essential oil.
Legends, Myths and Stories
Broom is one of the nine fairy herbs, and a cologne prepared from its flowers is said to inspire affection. The branches of this shrub produced crude but useful brooms, hence the name. Scotch broom is used in beer makings and flavorings.
Uses
Historically, herbalists utilized the plant for a variety of complaints, including circulatory disorders, gout, leg cramps, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, phlebitis, and jaundice. Traditional practitioners also valued it as a lymph tonic, a cardiac depressant intended to quiet an overactive heart, and a means to address inflammation, acute constipation, toothache, ague, dropsy, and swelling of the spleen.
For kidney and bladder complaints, as well as to increase the flow of urine, it was often combined with uva-ursi, cleavers, and dandelion. Externally, folk preparations included an ointment made from the plant to combat lice or vermin. In agriculture, as a legume, it was noted for fixing nitrogen in the soil to benefit companion plants and for accumulating calcium.
Warning
Large doses can cause vomiting, purging, weakening heart, lowered nerve strength and low blood pressure. Advanced stages of toxicity can cause complete respiratory collapse. It also speeds up the heartbeat. Large doses have been reported to cause fatal poisoning. Broom contains alkaloids and hydroxytyramine, and should not be used except under proper medical supervision.
Bibliography
, Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition The Magic of Herbs , by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print) The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.
copyright 1974. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , Copyright 1988, published 1992 American Folk Medicine , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973 Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements , by James F. D. and Phyllis A.
, 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974