Premise
The broom: how can we forget the poetry that pays homage to the Poet of pessimism?
The broom, thanks to its marked resistance and ability to adapt in dry places, was the object of extraordinary poetic works, symbol of "step-mother nature" that hides the eternal struggle of the human against nature.
In this discussion we will try to analyze the characteristics that distinguish the broom, deepening its phytotherapeutic and homeopathic aspects.
General description
In symbology, due to the dry and extremely dry places in which it grows, broom is often associated with humility and modesty.
The term "broom" refers to a group of bushy plants which, with yellow flowers, decorate barren landscapes and at the same time give off particularly intense perfumed fragrances in the surrounding environment.
Kinds and species
The brooms are members of the Leguminosae Papilionaceae family: we are talking about typical shrubs of the Mediterranean area, which are well different not only from one genus to another, but even from one species to another. In fact, the broom varieties are quite numerous (there are around 75 species); however, the reference model is indicated with the genus Spartium, to which a single species belongs ( S. junceum ).
Among the most prominent genera, we mention Genista (in particular, ginestrella or Genista tinctoria ), Ulex (especially U. europaeus or ginestrone, one of the 38 Bach flowers) Cytisus (G. dei carbonai) , Sarothamnus, Coronilla and Colutea .
Most species are united by the shrubby-bushy habit, by the very fragrant yellow flowers and by the leaves tending to fall early which, in some cases, are completely absent. The branches, naked and sharp, have contributed to giving the broom the nickname "whip of Christ".
Broom: Spartium junceum
We have seen how the reference model for brooms is undoubtedly Spartium junceum, a common shrub - typical of the southern regions of Italy - having flexible branches, bare, particularly branched and generally without leaves. The branches, sharp, end with yellow inflorescences that certainly do not go unnoticed: the flowers show off a bright canary yellow robe, and release an intense fragrance in the air. [taken from Archeobotanica: vegetable finds from Pompeii and from the Vesuvian territory, by M. Borgongino]
The distinctive peculiarity of this broom is the stem: being the plant almost devoid of leaves, the chlorophyll function is reserved to the stem, erect and scopiform, very rich in chlorophyll.
Aphilia (lack of leaves) must be analyzed in two ways: if, on the one hand, the scarcity of leaves protects the plant from a possible excessive loss of water, on the other hand it could constitute a danger. As we know, the leaves are used for the chlorophyll function, therefore they can be compared to a sort of industrial power plant, an area where the nutrients essential for the development of the plant are collected and "processed": clearly, when this industry is lacking, the plant dies. Nature, however, has found a remedy: the chlorophyll function of the leaves is almost completely delegated to the stem, thus ensuring the correct development of the broom. Not by chance, the stem, instead of being brown - like most plants - takes on a greenish color, proof of its "new" photosynthetic function.
The seeds of this broom, as well as the whole plant, are poisonous due to the presence of cytisine (alkaloid), an even more toxic molecule than sparteine [taken from Dizionario ragionato of herbal medicine and phytotherapy, by A. Bruni, M. Nicoletti]
Broom of the charcoal burners
If Spartium junceum is typical of the Southern regions, Cytisus scoparius (charcoal broom) is common in the northern areas of the Bel Paese. More precisely, this broom grows in hilly and mountainous areas, and differs from the other species by its branches, longitudinally grooved, and by the leaves, consisting of small groups of three leaflets in the lower part of the branches. Nevertheless, the leaves fall out very early. Even in this variety, fragrant golden yellow flowers depart from the axil of the leaves.
Essential oil
The essential oils obtained from flowers and leaves (when present) of the various species of broom differ in some molecules; however, the essence is generally made up of alkaloid molecules, flavonoids, saponins and biogenic amines.
The essential oil is obtained from flowers by extraction with hexane and subsequent distillation: from the proceeds we get the so-called "concrete", from which, in turn, we obtain a pure pure product called "absolute" (following a further distillation). The essential products derived from the purification processes of the broom extracts are used both in perfumery (to intensify the scent of some mixtures), and in the food sector, to enrich fruit jams.
It is estimated that to obtain 1 or 2 kilos of concrete a ton of broom flowers is needed, from which 0.5 to 1.2 kilos of absolute are obtained afterwards.
Depending on the species considered, the broom extract can consist of:
- Quinolizidine alkaloids, especially cytisine (in Spartium junceum ), sparteine (in Cytisus scoparius and ginestrella) and lupanine (in Cytisus scoparius )
- Biogenic amines (tyrosine, tyramine, dopamine, in Cytisus scoparius )
- Flavonoids (it is rich in Spartium junceum ): ex. luteolin (especially in ginestrella)
- Coloring substances (genistein), typical of gorse
- Tannic acid (especially in the gorse)
- Ulexina (alkaloid that characterizes the gorse phytocomplex)
Phytotherapeutic uses
Multiple therapeutic activities ascribed to the broom. First of all, the plant is widely used for sedative, laxative and vasoconstrictor properties, in particular the common broom.
Also note the antiarrhythmic virtue attributed to the broom of the charcoal burners: in particular, the sparteine is exploited in the medical field for its cardiotonic abilities, able therefore to exercise chronotropic and inotropic activities. The extract of the flowers of the charcoal broom is used in the homeopathic field to regulate kidney activity.
With the exception of the semi-toxic - the other parts of the broom are exploited for the laxative and diuretic capacities (popular use); in a similar way, tradition teaches us to use the whole plant (except for the seeds) to favor urinary secretion and alleviate problems of a rheumatic nature.
But that's not all: other species of broom (eg gorse) are given anti-inflammatory properties (for external use), spasmolytic (for internal use), tranquilizers (to promote sleep) and to treat disorders related to cardiac fatigue .
The toxic seeds are used for the anthelmintic properties; lastly, the decoction of dried gorse flowers is recommended for lightening liver disorders, coughs and asthma.
As mentioned above, the gorse is among Bach's flowers, and is used in the treatment of "resignation". [taken from wikipedia]
Side effects
The side effects related to the use of broom extracts cannot be omitted: first of all, given the lack of sufficient studies that guarantee the safety of the plant during pregnancy, its use is forbidden for pregnant women.
Due to the presence of tyramine which, as we have seen, abounds in the broom of the charcoal burners, the broom extract is not recommended for people suffering from hypertension, especially if they are simultaneously taking MAOI drugs (MonoAmino Oxidase inhibitors).
At high doses, broom extract is blamed for vomiting and laxative effects.
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