Grindelia – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, August 15, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Grindelia is a perennial herb that is native to the southwestern part of the United States of America and Mexico. According to an article on the Gaia Herbs website, the plant is characterized by its bright yellow flowers. The flower buds secrete sticky resin, hence the plant is also commonly called gumweed, gum plant, or tar weed. Like stinging nettle and lobelia, Native Americans have long prized grindelia as a primary remedy to various respiratory illnesses.

List of known nutrients

Grindelia possesses potent disease-fighting properties due to the plant’s powerful components. Separate entries posted on Herbpathy and Herbal Supplement Resource websites list the important constituents found in grindelia, which include:

Acacetin
Diterpenes
Flavonoids
Grindelic Acid
Kumatakenin
Laevoglucose
Resins
Tannins
Volatile Oils

Medicinal uses for grindelia

Grindelia is best known as a potent treatment to a host of respiratory conditions. According to the Herbs 2000 website, grindelia is commonly used to address bronchial asthma. Likewise, the herb contains strong anti-spasmodic and expectorant properties that relax the muscle linings of the respiratory tract and eliminate excess phlegm and mucus from the respiratory passages. These properties are also known to desensitize the nerve endings in the bronchial tree and moderate the heart rate, thus relieving breathing issues. Additionally, grindelia is used to address chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and whooping cough as well as hay fever and cystitis. The herb is used to treat cardiac asthma and catarrhal bronchitis too.

Grindelia is also helpful in relieving chronic pain. The herb is used to alleviate glaucoma and other pain and irritation of the eyes. Likewise, the plant possesses strong components that relieve pain associated with arthritis. In addition, the herb is notably effective in keeping a healthy digestive profile. The Homeopathy Center website notes that grindelia helps alleviate pain in the liver and spleen. The plant’s antispasmodic properties are also found to disinfect the urinary tract.

Moreover, the herb is shown to provide relief to a vast number of diseases associated with the female reproductive system. Grindelia is found to contain powerful constituents that help relieve pruritus of the vagina and vulva regardless whether the disease’s origins were leucorrhea, aphthe or venous in nature. The herb is also touted for its positive effects on the central nervous system as it helps relieve intense headache. In a certain case, the herb helped one patients to overcome aversion to darkness. Likewise, grindelia is valued for its efficacy in relieving excess heat and fever. This makes grindelia a potent superfood that fortifies the immune system.

Native Americans have also used the herb for centuries to relieve a variety of skin disorders. Grindelia is best known as a topical remedy to skin irritation caused by poison ivy exposure. Likewise the plant is useful in addressing other skin conditions including eczema, burns, and dermatitis. Grindelia is also notably effective in treating erythematous skin eruptions. Furthermore, the plant can be used as a topical treatment for insect bites and stings.

Body systems supported by grindelia

Grindelia has been used for centuries to fortify the respiratory system and address related diseases. Likewise, the plant is useful in relieving diseases of the ocular and female reproductive systems. Grindelia is also notably effective in improving the digestive system’s overall health. Moreover, the superfood is touted for its beneficial effects on the urinary, immune and nervous systems.

Ways to use grindelia

Grindelia can be made into an infusion by boiling the dried parts of the plant. The flower buds and leaves can also be processed into potent tinctures. Likewise, the herb’s flower buds can be harvested and incorporated to honey. This concoction is especially beneficial during the colder months. An article posted on the Harmonic Arts website features a step by step guide in making grindelia-infused honey.