Grindelia Herb Health Benefits

Discover 14 health benefits of the amazing Grindelia Herb.

The herb has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans Indians.

The herb is a natural muscle relaxant and as such has traditional been used for the treatment of asthmatic and bronchial conditions. In fact Grindelia was used by the medical profession in the United States from 1880 until 1960 to treat asthma and bronchitis.

However, the use of the herb stopped clinically after the 1960 law that required medicines to have clinical trials and proof of safety, also evidence of the drug’s efficacy(¹).

Grindelia or to give it’s botanical name Grindelia camporum is native to North America. Commonly referred to as the gum plant, essentially a perennial herb, which can achieve a growth height of 3 feet.

What is Grindelia?

Characterized by unique bright yellow flowers and triangular leaves. The parts of the herb used for medicinal purposes include: aerial parts, flowering tops and dried leaves.

It has an array of health benefits. This is because of its:

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• relaxant,
• antispasmodic,
• expectorant,
• anti-inflammatory,

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Grindelia herb has other common names such as:

• Tar Weed,
• Rosin Weed,
• Gumweed Herb,
• Gum Weed, Grindelia
• August Flower.

Different parts of the Grindelia plant have varying health properties. For example the flowering tops and dried leaves have anti-asthmatic and anti-spasmodic effects.

Grindelia contains:

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• flavonoids,
• resins,
• volatile oil,
• alkaloid,

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14 Health Benefits of Grindelia Herb

The health benefits associated with Grindelia are many and have been known for several centuries by the Native Americans. Some of the benefits of Grindelia include the following:

1. Helps Coughs

It is good for curing and managing coughs. This is particularly useful during the cold and dry seasons of the year. When the development of coughs becomes rampant.

2. Treats Colds

Grindelia is ideal for the treatment of the flu and colds.

3. Expectorant

The herb is an excellent expectorant that breaks up mucus. It is a natural remedy for the common cold and flu. That attacks children and adults alike from time to time.

4. Calming

It’s recommended for calming the heart through decreasing the heart rate. It does this by reducing the sensitivity of nerve endings in the bronchial tubes. Hence, Grindelia soothes the nerves of users.

5. Helps Lung Problems

This perennial herb greatly assists with addressing lung problems. As a example bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. It achieves this by relaxing the air ways and consequently opening them up.

This allows for air to freely pass through the lungs of the patients. Furthermore, it aids in the elimination of obstructions of catarrh and phlegm. Which are in the passageway so to improve breathing.

6. Antispasmodic

Grindelia is a potent antispasmodic compound that effectively quiets all cramping muscles. This property can prove to be useful to athletes that are prone to cramping muscles now and then.

7. Anti-bacterial

Grindelia is an effective anti-bacterial. It attacks bacteria that are present in the urinary tract and kills them. In addition, it’s a good antibiotic herb. This means that it is not only limited to killing bacteria found in the urinary tract of human beings.

8. Boost the Immune System

It provides a good boost to the natural immune system of the human body. This prevents infections and diseases thus facilitating good health.

9. Anti-inflammatory

It has useful anti-inflammatory properties that promote overall healthy body(²).

10. Antioxidant

It’s enriched with antioxidants that are critical to good health. This is because Grindelia curbs several chronic diseases and illnesses that might occur as a result of free radicals. The antioxidants in Grindelia. Are able to support the immune system. Thus; promote good health of the skin, preventing mood disorders, helping eye and memory problems.

11. Treats Skin Problems

It’s used in the topical treatment of skin conditions. These include burns, bites, boils, insect bites, rashes, dermatitis and the popular poison ivy rash.

12. Helps Respiratory Disorders

It can treat respiratory disorders such as whooping cough, pulmonary cystitis and hay fever.

13. Treats Allergic Reaction to Poison oak

Grindelia prevents the escalation of poison oak. This is due to the calming effects that it has on the skin.

14. Sedative

It can act as a sedative because it calms a person down and can induce both sleep and relaxation. This particular application is good in mental and medical institutions. Where patients need to be calm for various reasons.

Other Medicinal Uses of Grindelia Herb

• The dried herb is also used in the preparation of tinctures, herbal infusions as well as other remedies. For instance, its flowering stems and leaves are used to prepare homeopathic remedy.
• You can combine it with other beneficial herbs. As a example pill-bearing spurge and lobelia to effectively treat asthmatic conditions. These combination herbal treatments are rare but have a high efficacy.
• The herb reduces inflammation of the throat, sinuses and nose.

All these Grindelia health benefits can be enjoyed but it has to be used correctly and in moderation. The health benefits listed above are not exhaustive. There is much more that the herb can offer health wise.

Some of the benefits of Grindelia are historical. While some were just recently discovered through extensive medical research by reputable institutions.

Dosage

Grindelia is administered as an herbal infusion prepared by simply steeping a teaspoonful in one cup of boiling water. The herb should only be used in a dry form. The proper infusion of the herb should be allowed to take place for a period of approximately 10 – 15 minutes.

The cup of herbal infusion can be drank three times on a daily basis to remedy several disorders. Alternatively, a 1-2 ml tincture should be taken thrice daily.

Cautions & Contraindications

The following are a few points of caution to note when using Grindelia:

It should not be used by both pregnant as well as lactating women. This is because there is no adequate or reliable information on the possible effect it might have on the baby.

Grindelia should not be used by patients who have been diagnosed with heart and kidney ailments. This is mainly because the herb might cause adverse effects. When it interacts with heart and kidney medications.

Possible Side effects

There are a few mild side effects associated with the incorrect use of this potent herb, the main ones are:

It can cause some irritation of the kidney or stomach. This occurs when it’s taken in large doses. This usually results in diarrhea or uncomfortable stomach upsets.

However, it is important to know that these side effects can easily be mitigated. By taking the recommended dosage of the herb.

Conclusion

Grindelia is a medicinal plant that has been invaluable in the past. But also continues to contribute to modern medicine through its several health benefits.

It’s important that the herb and all its extracts. Are only consumed in the recommended dosage. As long as you use the herb in the right way and follow all directions, it will be effective and safe.

Further Reading: http://www.mendhamapothecary.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?storeID=478d23d246b64deca94c41f254a2d200&Print=1&DocID=bottomline-gumweed