Spanish Broom Cytisus alpinus located in the foreground (yellow flowers) near Setcases, Catalan, Spain.

 

 Scotch Broom, Cytisus scoparius Family: Papilonaceae; and Spanish Broom C. alpinus.  Do not confuse the two, they are used differently.

SPANISH MEDICINE: The leaves of Cytisus alpinus are used as medicine.  They are used in infusion or tincture to regulate heart action, control respiration to be used in the skilled hands of a holistic health care practitioner only.  Alkaloids in the leaves depress vital systems, narcotic like.

Smoking the dried leaves provides an action similar to tobacco and is used to cure tobacco addiction (Caution:  Try this only under the supervision of a holistic practitioner who is familiar with the process, the alkaloids in the leaves have toxic properties.

Modern and Traditional Uses:

More broadly in Europe and America the fresh flowers, dried flowers and dried aerial parts are used of Scotch Broom, Cytisus scoparius  (do not confuse this with Spanish Broom) are used as a vasoconstrictor and hypertensive to treat circulatory disorders. Folk use to induce uterine contractions. Also used to prevent calcium oxalate stones (unproven use of a tea from the flowers).

Numerous contraindications:  Do not use if pregnant, avoid if on beta blockers, MAO inhibitors, calcium channel blockers.  Avoid if you have high blood pressure.  May lead to dizziness, heart palpitations, headache, prickling of extremities, weakness, sweating, pupil dilation, twitching eyes.

Chemistry:  Tyramine in Scotch broom is physiologically active the plants also contains flavonoids: spirasoside, isoquercitrin, scoparin and isoflavonoids:  genistein, sarothamnoside.  Also: tannins, sugars, mucilage, ureasa (wood oil).
Butcher's Broom, Ruscus aculeatus ,an unrelated plant (does not look like Scotch or Spanish Broom). Butcher's Broom  is used to treat hemorrhoids (rhizome whole herb but primarily the rhizome) chronic venous insufficiency.  Extracts come in capsules.