Gumweed

Botanical

What is it

Gumweed (Grindelia species, especially G. camporum and G. integrifolia) is a flowering plant native to western North America. The sticky resin from flowering tops is used traditionally for cough, bronchitis, and asthma.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Cough and bronchial symptoms

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use is consistent, but modern clinical evidence is essentially absent.

How it works

The resin contains diterpene acids including grindelic acid, plus saponins and flavonoids. Traditional use is as an expectorant and antispasmodic for the respiratory tract. Mechanistic data are limited but consistent with bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and mucolytic effects. It is also used topically for poison ivy and skin irritation, where the resin appears to provide a soothing barrier.

Dosage

Traditional tincture doses are 1 to 3 mL up to three times daily. No standardized clinical dose has been established.

When and how to take it

Take with the onset of respiratory symptoms; not for routine daily use.

1 commercial form

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

Grindelia tincture or glycerite

Available as alcohol tincture, glycerite, or dried herb in respiratory blends.

Not well characterized.

Safety

Considered safe at traditional doses. High doses can irritate the kidneys and cause GI upset. Topical use is generally safe.

Who should be cautious

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

Interactions

No well-documented drug interactions. Theoretical interactions with bronchodilators.

Frequently asked questions

Does gumweed help with poison ivy?⌄

Traditional topical use is for soothing irritation. Modern controlled evidence is limited.

Is gumweed safe for daily use?⌄

It is intended for short-term symptom relief rather than routine daily intake.

References

Gumweed on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Gumweed (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.