Spanish Broom: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions

Other Name(s):

Faux Genêt d'Espagne, Gallomba, Gayomba, Geneste, Genet, Genêt d'Espagne, Genista juncea, Ginesta, Ginestra, Joncier, Retama de Olor, Spartier, Spartier Faux Jonc, Spartier à Tiges de Jonc, Spartion, Spartium, Spartium junceum, Weaver's Broom.

Overview

Spanish broom is an herb. The flowers are used to make medicine.

People take Spanish broom for constipation and fluid retention.

In foods and beverages, Spanish broom is used as flavoring.

In manufacturing, Spanish broom is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

Be careful not to confuse Spanish broom with similar sounding natural products such as butcher's broom, Scotch broom flower, and Scotch broom herb.

How does work?

There isn't enough information to know how Spanish broom might work as a medicine.

Uses

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

Constipation.
Fluid retention.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Spanish broom for these uses.

Side Effects

Spanish broom seems to be safe in amounts typically found in food, but the safety of using larger amounts is not known.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It might be UNSAFE to use Spanish broom if you are pregnant. Spanish broom contains a chemical called sparteine, which could start your menstrual period. This might cause a miscarriage. Some manufacturers try to remove sparteine from their products, but it's best to stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of Spanish broom depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Spanish broom. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182