Premise
The broom: how can we forget the poem that pays homage to the Poet of pessimism?
The broom, thanks to its marked resistance and ability to adapt in arid places, was the subject of extraordinary poetic works, a symbol of "stepmother nature" that hides the "eternal struggle of man against nature."
In this examination we will try to analyze the characteristics that distinguish the broom, also investigating its phytotherapeutic and homeopathic aspects.
General description
In symbolism, due to the arid and extremely drought places in which it grows, the broom is often associated with humility and modesty.
The term "broom" indicates a group of bushy plants which, with yellow flowers, decorate barren landscapes and at the same time emanate particularly intense perfumed fragrances in the surrounding environment.
Genera and species
Gorse are members of the Papilionaceae Leguminosae family: we are talking about typical shrubs of the Mediterranean area, which differ not only from one genus to another, but even from one species to another. In fact, the varieties of gorse are quite numerous (there are about 75 species); however, the reference model is indicated by gender Spartium, to which a "single species (S. junceum).
Among the most prominent genres, they are remembered Genista (in particular, gorse or Genista tinctoria), Ulex (mostly U. europaeus or gorse, one of the 38 Bach flowers) Cytisus (G. dei carbonai), Sarothamnus, Coronilla And Colutea.
Most of the species share a shrubby-bushy habit, very fragrant yellow flowers and leaves tending to fall prematurely which, in some cases, are completely absent. The branches, bare and sharp, have contributed to assigning the nickname "Christ's whip" to the broom.
Broom: Spartium junceum
We have seen how the reference model for gorse is without doubt Spartium junceum, a common shrub - typical of the southern regions of Italy - with flexible, naked, particularly branched and generally leafless branches. The sharp branches end with yellow inflorescences that certainly do not go unnoticed: the flowers show off a bright canary yellow dress , and release an intense fragrance in the air. [adapted from Archaeobotany: plant finds from Pompeii and the Vesuvian territory, by M. Borgongino]
The distinctive feature of this broom is the stem: since the plant is almost devoid of leaves, the chlorophyll function is reserved for the stem, erect and scopiform, very rich in chlorophyll.
Aphilia (lack of leaves) must be analyzed in a double interpretative key: if on the one hand, in a certain sense, the scarcity of leaves protects the plant from a possible excessive loss of water, on the other 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 plant, an area in which 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 surprisingly, the stem, instead of being brown - like most plants - takes on a greenish color, demonstrating 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 Reasoned dictionary of herbal medicine and phytotherapy, by A. Bruni, M. Nicoletti]
Broom of the charcoal burners
Self Spartium junceum is typical of the southern regions, Cytisus scoparius (broom of the charcoal burners) 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 for the branches, longitudinally grooved, and for the leaves, consisting of groups of three leaflets in the lower part of the branches. Nevertheless, the leaves fall very early. Also in this variety, fragrant golden yellow flowers branch off 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 the flowers by extraction with hexane and subsequent distillation: the so-called "concrete" is obtained from the extract, from which, in turn, a very pure finished product called "absolute" is obtained (following a "further distillation). The essential products obtained from the purification processes of broom extracts are used both in perfumery (to intensify the scent of some blends), 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 required, from which 0.5-1.2 kilos of absolute are subsequently obtained.
Depending on the species considered, the broom extract can consist of:
- Quinolizidine alkaloids, especially cytisine (in Spartium junceum), sparteina (in Cytisus scoparius and in gorse) and lupanine (in Cytisus scoparius)
- Biogenic amines (tyrosine, tyramine, dopamine, in Cytisus scoparius)
- Flavonoids (it is rich in them Spartium junceum): eg. luteolin (especially in gorse)
- Coloring substances (genistein), typical of gorse
- Tannic acid (especially in gorse)
- Ulexin (alkaloid that characterizes the phytocomplex of gorse)
Phytotherapeutic uses
There are many therapeutic activities ascribed to the broom. First of all, the plant is widely used for its sedative, laxative and vasoconstrictive 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, therefore able to exercise chronotropic and inotropic activities. The extract of the flowers of the broom of the charcoal burners is used in the homeopathic field to regulate renal activity.
With the exception of the semi-toxic ones - the other parts of the broom are exploited for their laxative and diuretic capacities (popular use); in a similar way, tradition teaches to use the whole plant (except for the seeds) to promote urinary secretion and alleviate rheumatic problems.
But that's not all: other species of broom (eg. Gorse) are assigned anti-inflammatory properties (for external use), spasmolytic (for internal use), tranquilizers (to promote falling asleep) and to treat disorders related to cardiac fatigue. .
The toxic seeds are used for their anti-helminthic properties; finally, the decoction of dried gorse flowers is recommended to alleviate liver disorders, coughs and asthma.
As mentioned above, the gorse is one of the Bach 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 missing: first of all, given the lack of sufficient studies that guarantee the safety of the plant during pregnancy, its use is prohibited for pregnant women.
Due to the presence of tyramine which, as we have seen, abounds in the broom of charcoal burners, the extract of broom is not recommended in subjects suffering from hypertension, especially if they are taking MAOIs at the same time (MonoAminoOxidase inhibitor drugs).
At high doses, broom extract is blamed for vomiting and laxative effects.
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