A broom is a shrub.
Retama is a concept that derives from the Arabic ratáma . This is the name of a shrub that belongs to the papilionaceae family , also known as legumes or fabaceae .
This shrub is characterized by its flexible and thin branches , which have a reduced number of leaves. The broom, which has yellowish flowers, can measure up to four meters in height depending on the species.
Brooms are native to the European continent, southwest Asia and northern Africa. Due to their characteristics, they are often used as fuel to light fires .
Classification according to species
The monosperma Broom , common in the northwest of Morocco and the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula , is usually used to fix dunes or dunes. This shrub can measure around three and a half meters in height.
The Broom raetam is another species of broom. With a height similar to that reached by the Retama monosperma , it can be found in Sicily , the Canary Islands , the western region of Asia and northern Africa.
In North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula you can also find the Retama sphaerocarpa . This broom stands out for its medicinal properties: it was traditionally used to treat respiratory problems and as a diuretic . It is said that, in ancient times, it was used by pilgrims who walked the Camino de Santiago .
Brooms are usually made from brooms.
Characteristics of the common broom
The Broom sphaerocarpa is also known by the name common or yellow broom and is identified by having the following identifying characteristics:
- Its bark is distinguished by having a grayish green color.
- It has yellow flowers, hence the popular name given to it.
- It can reach up to 3 meters in height.
- The legume it gives has a very rounded shape.
- Many decades ago and even centuries ago, this type of broom was considered the most suitable for making wood ovens work. Hence, there were even those who chose to grow it in order to later have an ideal supply for the oven .
medicinal use
As we have mentioned, the common broom was and continues to be used for medicinal purposes. Thus, in addition to being able to be used for the health problems already mentioned, it can be used to achieve the following objectives:
- To deal with chronic pain and also rheumatism problems.
- It also becomes a home trick to improve the condition of the heart and treat certain conditions related to it.
- When a slight contracture or similar has occurred, a poultice can be prepared with the broom that achieves beneficial effects in a short period of time.
- Likewise, we must not overlook that many generations have used this element to make infusions that helped them solve certain problems related to the intestine. Specifically, it is believed to be a good remedy against constipation.
It should be noted that, in many cases, brooms are also used to make brooms , instruments used to sweep the ground . In this way, the surface is swept, causing the broom to drag away the dirt.