Grindelia

Botanical

What is it

Grindelia (gumweed) is a North American flowering herb whose sticky resinous flowering tops are used in traditional medicine for respiratory complaints and topical skin irritation. Grindelia camporum and G. integrifolia are common commercial species.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Bronchial irritation and cough

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use is consistent across Western herbal traditions. Modern controlled clinical evidence is essentially absent.

How it works

The resin contains grindelic acid and other labdane diterpenes, plus flavonoids. Traditional internal use targets bronchial spasm, productive cough, and asthma. Mechanistic data suggest mild antispasmodic and expectorant effects. Topical use applies the resin for poison oak, poison ivy, and other skin irritation, where the sticky barrier may help soothe inflammation.

Dosage

Traditional tincture doses are 1 to 3 mL up to three times daily. Topical preparations are applied as needed.

When and how to take it

Take internally during acute respiratory symptoms rather than continuously.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Grindelia flowering tops tincture

Available as alcohol tincture, glycerite, or fresh herb preparation.

Not well characterized.

Safety

Considered safe at traditional internal doses. High doses can irritate the kidneys. Topical use is generally safe with rare allergic reactions.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to lack of safety data. Caution in people with kidney disease.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with diuretics or other kidney-affecting drugs at high doses. No well-documented major interactions.

Frequently asked questions

Does grindelia help with asthma?⌄

Traditional use suggests yes, but modern evidence does not support replacing standard asthma treatment with grindelia.

Can I use grindelia for poison ivy?⌄

Traditional topical use is common; modern controlled evidence is limited but the topical safety profile is favorable.

References

Grindelia on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Grindelia on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Grindelia (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.