HERBAL MONOGRAPHSFlavonoids: including scoparin (C-glycosylflavone)EFFECTS: SCOTCH BROOM FLOWERS
The drug can contain over 2% tyramine. It contains small
amounts of alkaloids. The main alkaloid is sparteine.
Tyramine acts as an indirect sympathicomimetic, vasocon-
strictoral and hypotensive. Sparteine acts negatively inotrop-
ic and negatively chronotropic; because of the very minimal
amounts of sparteine no intense effect can be expected.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
SCOTCH BROOM HERB
Approved by Commission E:- Circulatory disorders
- Hypertension
Unproven Uses: The herb is used for functional heart and
circulatory disorders, as an adjunct in the stabilization of
circulation and to raise blood pressure. Folk medicine uses
include pathological edema, cardiac arrhythmia, nervous
cardiac complaints, low blood pressure, heavy menstruation,
hemorrhaging after birth, as a contraction stimulant, for
bleeding gums, hemophilia, gout, rheumatism, sciatica, gall
and kidney stones, enlarged spleen, "jaundice, bronchial
conditions and snake bites.SCOTCH BROOM FLOWERS
Unproven Uses: The use of the pure drug cannot be
recommended except as an inactive ingredient in teas. In folk
medicine, the flowers are used for edema, rheumatism, gout,
kidney stones, jaundice, liver disorders, enlarged spleen and
as a blood purifier.CONTRAINDICATIONS
SCOTCH BROOM HERB AND FLOWERS
The drug is contraindicated in high blood pressure, A-V
block, pregnancy and with MAO inhibitor drugs.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
SCOTCH BROOM HERB
General: Health risks or side effects following the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not
recorded. Scotch Broom preparations should not be used in
cases of high blood pressure or with atrioventricular block.Drug Interactions: Use of Scotch Broom herb with mono-
amine oxidase inhibitors (amine content) may cause a
hypertensive crisis.Pregnancy: The herb should not be used during pregnancy
(abortive effect).SCOTCH BROOM FLOWERS
Healtii risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. The
drug should not be used in cases of high blood pressure or
SCOTCH BROOM / 673when the patient is being treated with monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (amine content).
OVERDOSAGE
SCOTCH BROOM HERB
Doses corresponding to more than 300 mg sparteine
(approximately 30 gm of the drug), lead to dizziness.
headache, palpitations, prickling in the extremities, feeling of
weakness in the legs, outbreaks of sweat, sleepiness, pupil
dilation and ocular palsy. If no vomiting has occurred.
poisonings are treated with gastric lavage and administration
of activated charcoal. Spasms are to be treated with
chlorpromazine or diazepam. In cases of asphyxiation.
intubation and oxygen respiration are to be carried out. No
deaths through poisonings with this drug have been proven
beyond a doubt (though they certainly have been with
sparteine).
DOSAGE
SCOTCH BROOM HERB
Mode of Administration: The herb is available in aqueous
essential oil extracts for internal administration.
Preparation: Tea: Pour 150 ml boiling water over 1 to 2 gm
.drug and strain after 10 minutes
Decoction — from 1 to 2 gm drug.Liquid extract — 1:1 25% ethanol (V/V) (BHP83).
Tincture — 1:5 45% ethanol (V/V) (BHP83).
Daily Dosage: The daily dose of the infusion is 1 cup fresh
infusion 3 times daily. The liquid extract dosage is 1 to 2 ml
daily. The tincture internal use dosage is 0.5 to 2 ml.
Aqueous-ethanol extracts corresponding to 1:1.5 drug are
also used.
Storage: Carefully protect from light and moisture.
SCOTCH BROOM FLOWERS
Mode of Administration: Since the efficacy for the claimed
uses has not been documented, and considering the risks, a
therapeutic application cannot be justified. To be used only
under the supervision of an expert qualified in the appropri-
ate use of this substance.
Preparatfon: To prepare an infusion, Pour 200 ml boiling
water over 1 teaspoon of flowers and strain after 10 minutes.
Daily Dosage: Infusion dosage is 1 cup daily. For pathologi-
cal edema, 1 liter infusion per day is administered in 4
portions during meals for 1 month.
LITERATURE
SCOTCH BROOM HERB
Brum-Bousquet M, Delaveau P, (1981) Plant Med Phytoiher
15(4):201.
Brum-Bousquet M et al., (1981) Planta Med 43(4):367.