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Broom Herb - Uses And Side Effects

The crude drug is prepared from the twigs and flowers of Cytisus scoparlu, (Sarothamnus scoparius), a plant that has been naturalized from Europe to the United States and Canada. Although the Food and Drug Administration has dl this plant unsafe for human consumption, the German E Commission (which sees drug use in Germany ) considers broom effective in treating certain heart problems.

Common doses of Broom

Broom is available as root, cigarettes, teas, and extracts. Experts disagree on what dose to take.

Why people use Broom herb

• Constipation
• Fluid retention
• Irregular heartbeats
• To induce relaxation and euphoria
• To induce vomiting

Side effects of Broom

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of broom:

• headache
• irregular heartbeats
• mind-altering sensations (from smoking the plant parts)
• poisoning symptoms, such as shock, a fast pulse, confusion or other mental changes, vertigo, nausea, and diarrhea (when taken in high doses)
• uterine contractions.

Broom also can cause:

• fungal pneumonia (from smoking contaminated broom tops)
• miscarriage

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use broom if you're taking:

• drugs that lower blood pressure
• heart drugs called beta blockers, such as Inderal
• other drugs used to treat heart conditions
• tricyclic antidepressants, such as Sinequan

Important points to remember

• Don't use broom if you're pregnant because it may cause miscarriage.
• Avoid this herb if you have high pressure or a serious heart condition.
• Avoid broom if you have pacemaker because it could interfere with pacemaker function.
• Don't confuse this plant with Spanish broom, found in some foods and cosmetics.

What the research shows

A potentially dangerous herb, broom isn't approved for any therapeutic use. Although it may have potential medicinal value, the risk of harm outweighs these purported benefits. Medical experts need more Information to analyze the risks and benefits of this herb. Safer and more effective drugs exist for every use that broom's advocates claim.

Other names for Broom : -

Other names for broom include bannal, broom top, genista, ginsterkraut, hogweed, Irish broom top and Scotch broom top.

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