Scotch Broom Herb and Flower, Sparteine

by MedlinePlus

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), also referred to as broom, is a perennial woody plant native to Europe. The species was introduced as a garden ornamental to North America and now is common across western Canada and California. Scotch broom plants grow up to 10 feet tall, with sharply angled branches off the main stem, trifoliate leaves, and bright yellow small flowers. Scotch broom spreads quickly and aggressively at the expense of other plants and trees, and is often considered a pest.

Both the flower and herb of scotch broom have been used medicinally. There is very little available scientific evidence about the efficacy or safety of this plant, and most conclusions come from knowledge of its constituents, or from traditional use. There is particular concern about the potential toxicity of scotch broom due to the presence of small amounts of the toxic alkaloids sparteine and isosparteine, which are found in both the flowers and herb (above-ground parts). Sparteine has known effects on the electrical conductivity of heart muscle and can potentially cause dangerous heart rhythms or interact with cardiac drugs. Sparteine is also known to cause uterine contractions, and should be avoided during pregnancy. Life-threatening adverse effects have been associated with sparteine, and therefore scotch broom should be used only under strict medical supervision.

Synonyms

Bannal, basam, Besenginaterkraut, besom, bissom, bream, broom, broom tops, broomtops, browme, brum, common broom, Cystisus scoparius , Cystisi scoparii flos, Cytsus scoprfus , English broom, European broom, genet a balais, Genista andreana , Genista scoparius (Lam.), Ginsterkraut, greem broom, herba spartii scoparii, herbe de genet a balais, herbe de genistae scopariae , herbe de hogweed, hogweed, Irish broom, Irish tops, sarothamni herb, Sarothamnus scoparius (Koch), Sarothamnus vulgaris , scoparii cacumina, scopari herba, scotch broom top, scotchbroom, sparteine, Spartium scoparium Linn., sumidad de retma de escobas.

Family: Fabaceae / Leguminosae / Papilionaceae.

Note: Not to be confused with Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum) which has been associated with severe toxicity, or Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus).

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Cardiovascular conditions

Scotch broom herbhas been taken by mouth traditionally for a variety of conditions related to the heart or blood circulation. These include abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), fast heart rate (tachycardia), swelling in the legs (peripheral edema), water in the lungs (pulmonary edema; congestive heart failure), and low blood pressure (hypotension).Scotch broom flowerhas been taken by mouth traditionally for tachycardia and to reduce leg swelling by increasing urination (dieretic), as well as for damage to the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and for poor circulation.There is a scientific basis for some of these uses, due to the presence in scotch broom herb and flower of small amounts of the alkaloid sparteine. Sparteine may affect the electrical conductivity of heart muscle (similar to type 1A antiarrhythmic drugs such as quinidine). However, there is limited evidence in humans, and it is not clear if sparteine found in the plant form has clinically meaningful effects. These potential properties of scotch broom may be dangerous in individuals with heart disease or taking cardiac medications. People with cardiovascular disorders should be evaluated and supervised by a licensed healthcare professional.

Diuretic (increased urine flow)

Scotch broom preparations, particularly those made from the flower, have been used traditionally as diuretics (to increase urination). Diuretic effects have been attributed by some to the constituent scoparin or scoparoside. There is insufficient scientific evidence at this time to form clear conclusions about safety or efficacy in humans.

Labor induction (oxytocic)

Scotch broom herb has been used historically to stimulate uterine contractions at birth, and to reduce post-partum hemorrhage (bleeding after birth). There is a scientific basis of this use, due to the presence in scotch broom of small amounts of the alkaloid sparteine, which was studied and used through the 1970s as an oxytocic drug (to induce labor). This use was discontinued due to serious toxicities associated with sparteine. Currently, other drugs such as oxytocin (Pitosin) are used for this purpose. The safety and efficacy of scotch broom preparations in labor are not well studied or established. Women who may require labor induction should be evaluated and supervised by a physician.

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Abscess, abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), angina, astringent, beer flavor, bladder disorders, bleeding gums, blood cleansing, bronchitis, cancer, cathartic, cardiomyopathy, circulatory disorders, coagulation (bleeding) disorders, congestive heart failure, diphtheria, emetic (vomiting inducer), euphoria (when smoked in cigarettes), food flavoring, functional heart disorders, gallstones, gout, hemophilia, hypotension, hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, inflammation, irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), intoxication, jaundice, kidney inflammation, kidney stones, lice, liver disorders, menorrhagia (excessive menstruation), muscle ache, nausea, peripheral edema, peripheral vasoconstrictor, post-partum hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, relaxation (when smoked in cigarettes), rheumatic disorders, sciatica, splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), snake bite, toothache.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Standardization

There is no clearly established standardization for scotch broom, and dosing statements are therefore based on traditional use and expert opinion. Multiple formulations of the flower and/or herb are commercially available including juice, liquid extract, tea/infusion, tincture, drops, tablets, decoction, and dried flowers for smoking.

The principal alkaloid in scotch broom, sparteine, is present in various parts of the plant in concentrations ranging from 0.01-0.22 percent. The German product Sparitol® Tropfen has been said to contain 1mg of sparteine for each 1mL of product, such that a dose of 20 drops three times daily would correspond to 3-5mg sparteine (well under the 300mg of sparteine thought to evoke serious toxicity, which may be present in approximately 30 grams of the above-ground parts of the plant).

Sparteine is likely present in the inhaled smoke of cigarettes containing scotch broom.

About the Author

medlineplus.gov
MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news.