Cytisus, Broom

Genista, Genesta, Genestra, Scoparius, Spartium, Scotch Broom

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Medical Botany, Woodville, Hooker, Vol. 3, 1832

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BROOM TOPS
1. Stem showing the two wings ending in a node.
2. A large flower and a flower bud.
3. The hairy pistil.. 
4. Fruit.
5. Three foliate leaves.
Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919


Botanical name:

Cytisus scoparius (syn. Spartium scoparium; Genista scoparius, Sarothamnus scoparius)

Parts used:

Flowering tops

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral (slightly Warm), Dry. Sweet, Bitter

Classifications:

2F. PURIFYING
4f. SPLENETIC

Uses:

1. Clears Damp, Opens Obstructions:

-Jaundice; constant use of the herb and seed in powder cures Black Jaundice (Pemell, 1652)
-Swelling or Hardness of the Liver, Spleen or Abdominal Organs
-Scrofula, Tumors

2. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine, clears Stones:

-Nephritic, good for Edema, fluid retention;
-‘purges water by vomit, stool and urine’. (Schroder)
-Gravel and Stones of the Kidney, Bladder and Gall Bladder

3. Moves the Blood, Regulates the Heart:

-Cardiac Arrhythmia’s (specific); used for Atrial and Ventricular Fibrillation.
-Extrasystoles likewise respond well to long-term treatment.

4. Moves the Blood, clears Wind and Damp:

Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lower Back and Hip Pain, Arthritis, Gout

5. Stops Bleeding, Regulates the Uterus:

-excess Menstruation, Postpartum Hemorrhage
-stimulates Contractions

6. Emetic:

-full doses were traditionally used as an Emetic to purge Phlegm, Damp and Watery humors
Lonicerus (1564) said the flowers were emetic

7. Externally:

-The liquid extracted from the ends of the storks of the heated herb was applied to the tooth for Toothache.
-Sores or Abscesses of the Mouth are helped by gargling the decoction.
-For Pain in the Sides and Stitches the juice was made into an ointment or oil was anointed on.
-the seed paste was applied to Nodes and Scrofula; flowers beaten with Honey and applied to Scrofula
-the juice (or herb) boiled in oil ‘is the safest and surest medicines to kill Lice in the Head or Body of any’. (Culpeper)
-the juice or fresh herb boiled in oil is also ‘an especial remedy for Joint aches, and swollen knees’. (Culpeper)
-Juice boiled in oil is applied to Sciatica (Pemell, 1652)
-oil distilled from roots and seeds takes away spots, freckles and skin deformities (Pemell, 1652)

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Main Combinations:

1. To promote Urine, Edema:
i. Broom with  … available in PRO version
ii. Broom with  … available in PRO version
iii. Broom ashes with  … available in PRO version
iv. Broom with  … available in PRO version
v. Broom with  … available in PRO version
vi. Broom with  … available in PRO version
2. Urinary Irritation, Broom with  … available in PRO version
3. Infertility, Broom flower with   … available in PRO version
4. Uterine Fibroids, Broom with  … available in PRO version
5. Liver disorders, Broom with  … available in PRO version
6. Hypertension:
i. Menopausal Hypertension, Broom with  … available in PRO version
ii. Broom with  … available in PRO version
7. As a bath for Eczema, Broom with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:

Wine for Edema
Pills Against Barrenness (Turner)

Cautions:

1. Toxic in excess
2. Not used during Pregnancy
3. Avoid in Hypertension

Main Preparations used:

Distilled Water of the whole Herb in Flower, Conserve of the Flowers, Salt of the Ashes


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This Website is intended for the study of Traditional Medicine. Some of the information is Intended for Historical reference only and may be illegal or dangerous if used by unskilled hands. MedicineTraditions cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of the information contained herein, nor can it be held responsible for injury, sickness or death due to use or misuse of the information contained herein.

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