Gumweed
OTHER NAME(S): August Flower, Bulky Rubber Weed, Grindelia Herb, Grindeliae Herba, Grindélie, Grindélie Robuste, Grindélie Squarreuse, Gum Weed, Gumweed Herb, Rosin Weed, Tar Weed, Grindelia camporum, Grindelia robusta, Grindelia squarrosa, Grindelia, Herbe à Gomme
Overview
Gumweed is an herb. People dry the leaves and top of the plant to make medicine.
People use gumweed for conditions such as cough, bronchitis, asthma, and skin conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Cough.
- Bronchitis.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the nose, sinuses, and throat.
- Poison ivy when applied to the skin.
- Skin conditions when applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of gumweed for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Gumweed is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. But it can cause some side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gumweed is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Gumweed is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. But it can cause some side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gumweed is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gumweed is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergy to ragweed, daisies, and related plants: Gumweed may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking gumweed.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Gumweed overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of gumweed 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 gumweed. 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.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Beck BM, Strike SS. Ethnobotany of the California Indians: Aboriginal uses of California's indigenous plants. Champaign, IL: Koeltz Scientific Books; 1994.
- Anonymous. The therapeutic effects of Gindelia robusta. Lancet 1890;135:565.
- Anonymous. Rhus toxicodendron. Lancet 1908;172:887.
- Trease, G. E. and Evans, W. C. Pharmacognosy, 11
- Bohlman, F., Ahmed, M., Borthakur, N., Wallmeyer, M., Jakupovic, J., King, R. M., and Robinson, H. Diterpenes related to grindelic acid and further constituents from Grindelia species. Phytochem 1982;21:167-172.
- Hoffmann, J. J., Jolad, S. D., Timmermann, B. N., Bates, R. B., and Camou, F. A. Two grindelane diterpenoids from Grindelia camporum. Phytochem 1988;27:493-496.
- Timmermann, B. N., Hoffmann, J. J., Jolad, S. D., and Schram, K. H. Grindelane diterpenoids from Grindelia squarrosa and G camporum. Phytochem 1985;24:1031-1034.
- Timmermann, B. N., Luzbetak, B. J., Hoffmann, J. J., Jolad, S. D., Schram, K. H., Bates, R. B., and Klenck, R. E. Grindelane diterpenoids from Grindelia camporum and Chrysothamnus paniculatus. Phytochem 1983;22:523-525.
- Gierlikowska B, Gierlikowski W, Bekier K, Skalicka-Wozniak K, Czerwinska ME, Kiss AK. Inula helenium and Grindelia squarrosa as a source of compounds with anti-inflammatory activity in human neutrophils and cultured human respiratory epithelium. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;249:112311.
- Gierlikowska B, Filipek A, Gierlikowski W, et al. Grindelia squarrosa extract and grindelic acid modulate pro-inflammatory functions of respiratory epithelium and human macrophages. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 18;11:534111.
- Schepetkin IA, Özek G, Özek T, Kirpotina LN, Khlebnikov AI, Quinn MT. Neutrophil immunomodulatory activity of (-)-borneol, a major component of essential oils extracted from Grindelia squarrosa. Molecules. 2022 Jul 31;27(15):4897.