Family: Fabaceae Genus: Cytisus
Species: Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link
Common Name(s): broom, Scotch broom, European broom, Irish broom, broomtops, common broom
Cytisus scoparius, commonly known as Scotch broom, is a deciduous shrub native to central and southern Europe with upright to arching stems which boast a profusion of moonlight yellow to pearl white pea-like flowers during its spring bloom. The eye-catching Scotch broom can grow in poor, neutral to slightly acid, well-drained soils, and in full sun. It tolerates drought, dry soils, and salt. It can spread quickly because its seeds disperse explosively and are carried along by wind. In the 1800s it was introduced into the United States where it thrived so well that in 1920 it was considered an invasive weed along the west coast.4
Fables, Folklore, and Mythology
In European folklore, broom plants such as Scotch broom have long been linked with witches and magic. Broomsticks, traditionally crafted from the branches, were believed to be used by witches to fly through the night sky. In Italy, the shrub was even burned to thwart witches.5,6
Traditional Medicine
Historically, Scotch broom has been employed as a diuretic, stimulating heightened urine production. This characteristic has made it a staple in traditional medicine, particularly for addressing issues like edema and urinary tract infections. Scotch broom has also been used as a cardiac tonic, believed to fortify and harmonize heart function, and as a digestive aid, offering relief from discomfort. Moreover, its purported anti-inflammatory attributes have been used to ease asthma symptoms.7
Broom has been employed for a variety of additional medicinal purposes, including treating bleeding gums (hemophilia), gout, sore muscles and joints (rheumatism), sciatic nerve pain, gallstones, kidney stones, spleen disorders, jaundice, lung ailments, snake bites, intestinal cleansing, and inducing vomiting. Women have turned to broom for managing heavy menstrual flow and postpartum bleeding. It’s been incorporated into hair rinses to lighten and enhance hair color.8
Other Colorful Uses
Throughout history, shepherds in Spain have relied on the closely related black broom (Cytisus striatus) to tend to health concerns among their flocks. When sheep were afflicted with maggots in their anus, likely due to the Wohlfahrtia magnifica fly, shepherds would strip the bark from the broom branches, crush it on a stone to extract a yellowish liquid, and apply the liquid to the affected area to eliminate the maggots. This liquid also served as a remedy for scabies in goats and sheep.9
