-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom)
Botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Cytisus scoparius, Sarothamnus seoparius
synonyms: Scotch broom, broom, link, Irish broom, besenginster, genet a balai
part(s) used: flowering tops
qualities:
affinities:
actions: antiarrhythmic, cardioactive diuretic, hypertensive, oxytocic, peripheral vasoconstrictor.
dosage:
» dried: 1 - 2 gms, three times per day.
» tincture: 1:5; 0.5 - 2.0 ml., three times per day.
therapy: Tachycardia, edema of cardiac origin, functional palpitations with lowered blood pressure.
(The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 192.)
pharmacology: Sparteine depresses myocardial excitability.
indications: edema of cardiac origin, profuse menstruation.
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 3
toxicity: 1; see alkaloid toxidrome
» considered an unsafe herb by the FDA.
» Toxicity symptoms parallel those of nicotine poisoning: circulatory collapse, tachycardia, ileus, nausea, diarrhea, vertigo, headache. In animals, lethal doses cause death by cardiac arrest.
(Duke JA.1985, 155)
» treatment of overdose: treat for hypovolemia; cardiac depression requires digitalis glycoside therapy; avoid potential for cardiac or respiratory failure; atropine as an antidote for vagal inhibitory effects of the alkaloids cystisine and scoparine; beware of spontaneous emesis due to use of this antidote (Theines and Haley, p. 24)
contraindications:
» Pregnancy: Sparteine is oxytocic and abortifacient.
(Duke JA.1985, 155; Brinker F. 1988, 120.)
» Hypertension: Due to vasoconstrictive action increasing afterload.
constituents:
» Alkaloids: Quinolizidine variety, including cystisine, sparteine.
» Flavonoids: including quercitin, isoquercitin.
» Isoflavones: including genistein, scoparine.
» Volatile oils: including eugenol.
» Miscellaneous: Bitters, tannins, organic acids.
Interactions:
herb possibly affecting drug class toxicity: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
mechanism: Cytisus contains <2% tyramine, concentrated in the flowers. Tyramine is a nutrient which is catabolized by gut and hepatic MAO. Tyramine foods are contraindicated with MAOI drugs due to the possibility of massive and precipitous epinephrine release as tyramine enters systemic circulation acting as a "false-transmitter" if gastro-intestinal MAO is inhibited. This interaction can result in serious hypertensive crisis and has been well documented for tyramine-containing foods. Reports of Cytisus interactions with MAOI drugs are not available.
(Hardman J, et al. 1996, 204-205)
herbal concern: The relatively small quantities of tyramine in Cytisus relative to the therapeutic dose of 0.5-.2.0 mls (1: 5) tincture, means the tyramine content per dose would be between 2.0 mg.- 8.0 mg. In physiological terms the bradycardic and hypertensive actions of sparteine in Cytisus are more likely to interact with MAOI drugs than the tyramine content. Nonetheless, patients using MAOI drugs should be cautious with the use of Cytisus preparations.
herb affecting drug performance: Digoxin
herbal concern: Due to the effects of sparteine and related alkaloids from Cytisus on myocardial conduction, Cytisus should not be used concurrently with drugs affecting conduction, such as Digoxin. Cytisus may be combined with cardiac glycoside herbs of moderate toxicity such as Convallaria, in the tretament of cardiac edema.
(BHP, 1983, 192.)
Footnotes
Bradley PR, ed. British Herbal Compendium, vol 1. Bournemouth, Dorset, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992.
Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Second edition., Sandy, OR: Eclectic Institute Inc, 1998.
Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1996.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Bournemouth K, BHMA, 1983, 192.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.) Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1993.
Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Boca Raton, Fl. CRC Press, 1985.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J Pharm Sci. 64:535-598.
Felter HW, Lloyd, JU. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1983.
Hardman J, et al. (eds.) Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Ninth Edition. McGraw Hill, 1996.
McGuffin M, et al. (eds.) AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook . CRC Press, 1997.
Thienes CH, Haley TJ. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1975.