Sweet Broomweed
Scientific Name(s): Scoparia dulcis L.
Common Name(s): Escobilla, Sweet broomweed, Typycha kuratu, Vassourinha
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 21, 2022.
Clinical Overview
Use
Sweet broomweed has been investigated for its antimalarial, antiulcer, antipyretic, and aphrodisiac activity as well as for its cytotoxic activity against cancer cells.
Dosing
None suggested because of the lack of clinical data. S. dulcis is available commercially in combination with other herbs. It is available in tablet, capsule, and powder doseforms.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been identified.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use because of the lack of clinical data regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
The plant species is associated with sympathomimetic effects.
Toxicology
None reported.
Scientific Family
- Scrophuraliaceae
Botany
S. dulcis is a perennial medicinal herb distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions. The plant has serrated leaves, white flowers, and grows up to 0.7 m in height.1, 2, 3
History
Scoparia has been used as a remedy for treating diabetes mellitus in India and hypertension in Taiwan. Traditionally, the fresh or dried plant has been used as a remedy for treating stomach ailments, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, and hepatosis, and as an analgesic and antipyretic agent.4, 5
A hot water infusion and/or decoction of the leaves or whole plant is used medicinally by indigenous tribes of Nicaragua to treat malaria, stomach disorders, menstrual disorders, insect bites, fevers, heart problems, liver disorders, and venereal disease. It has been used for blood cleansing, as an aid to child-birth, and as a general tonic.3
The herb is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat bronchitis, gastric disorders, hemorrhoids, insect bites, and skin wounds. The herb is used in Asian medicine to treat hypertension.6
The ethnoveterinary use of the plant dates back to 1889 in Trinidad as a topical lotion to treat impetigenous and herpetic eruptions. Many of the indications for the plant's use parallel those practiced in veterinary folk medicine. Mucilage is released when the whole plant is soaked in water, thus helping to protect and regenerate normal cells; it may also act as an immunostimulator. The plant has been used to treat skin rashes in Martinique and Trinidad, for irritated skin in Brazil, and as a multi-ingredient preparation for treating burns in eastern Nicaragua. In Paraguay, the plant is used to kill lice and fleas, and used against vermin. The plant is also valued for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral activity.2, 7
Chemistry
The scientific literature reveals numerous chemical studies on the herb; isolated chemical constituents include coumarins, phenols, saponins, tannins, amino acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and catecholamines.4
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of an aqueous fraction of S. dulcis revealed the presence of noradrenaline and adrenaline, which have sympathomimetic effects.6
The herb's terpenoids are responsible for numerous medicinal effects. Scoparic acid A, scoparic acid B, scopadulcic acid A and B, scopadulciol, and scopa...
