Garbling the Gumweed – Grindelia sp.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Just got back from gathering some gumweed….

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[ChuckStudent]

Thanks! Great to know.

We have quite a bit of that around. Just gotta make sure it’s not where people have been spraying roundup or some junk.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

Yeah, avoid the edges of agricultural fields too. Lots of chemical run-off from those. Fortunately, there’s enough gumweed around that it’s easy to find clean stuff. 🙂

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[ChuckStudent]

Ok, got a bunch drying. Are the stems worth keeping or just the leaves & flowers/buds?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

Chuck wrote: Ok, got a bunch drying. Are the stems worth keeping or just the leaves & flowers/buds?

I’d guess the stems have some medicinal content but it will just dilute your medicine and gork up your blender. I’d stick with leaves, flowers and buds.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[ChuckStudent]

Sounds good. Thanks! There ya go with those scientific terms… gork? 😉

I imagine the sticky flowers will do a good job gorkin’ things up too.

[ChuckStudent]

Yup, gorked up the coffee grinder pretty good. Good thing they’re cheap. I’m sure a little elbow grease and some solvent (citrus?) would get it out.

[Beverly]

My sweet husband was at Bear Lake a week ago and found some gumweed. (He watched your video and knew what it was when he saw it.)

I thought I would just dry it and keep it for future use. Do I need to wait until the flowers aren’t sticky anymore before putting it away? Everything else has long since dried but those sticky flowers are still a little sticky.

I like to put my dried herbs in a plastic clear peat jar so hopefully they stay fresh. I also add an oxygen packet to the jar. Do you see anything wrong with this?

OH– so much to learn!

Thanks

Beverly

[IdahoHerbalist]

Beverly, the oxygen packet is probably OK and will not hurt anything. I have not done anything with GW yet so can’t address your other concern other than most things like this that are sticky either take a LONG time to fully dry or NEVER get over it. I suspect it is a resin of some sort, hence the high alcohol percent required to tincture.

Patrick, I found ONE plant on my property while pulling Kosha weed. While driving home today I found a new patch of them out in a pasture and maybe a second place as well.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

It takes a looooong time for gumweed to dry out. Several weeks laying on the newspaper. It’s always sticky but the buds do finally dry up and harden.

Even when it’s quite dry, when you blender it, it turns very moist. Leave the jar open for a few days to let the moisture out unless you’re going to tincture it.

Don’t put much in the blender at a time. It’s dense and oily and will gork up your motor if you over do it.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

IdahoHerbalist wrote:

Patrick, I found ONE plant on my property while pulling Kosha weed. While driving home today I found a new patch of them out in a pasture and maybe a second place as well.

There’s a bunch of it on the driveway going down to DeNardis Farm too (a mile or two down from you on the left). Jeanna Kottraba’s daughter and her hubby live down there.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[ComfreyStudent]

I was at your herbal class last fall. (It was awesome!) you shared some of your dried gumweed with several of us. I put mine in a pint jar I had, and stuck it away (it was the leaves and flower heads). This past month we’ve had a tickely cough that wakes one up at night. I remembered the gumweed and made a tea with it. It was amazing! Stopped the cough, and actually made you feel sleepy so you can get some rest. I will be gathering this herb yearly from now on. Oh, and I didn’t worry about grinding it up. Just soaked about 2-3 tablespoons in a pint of boiling water for 30 minutes or so. I stated adding mullien and whatever other herbs I felt like later on. Thanks a bunch Dr. Jones for the info.

[Jannevarez]

OK so I just discovered that the gum weed I gathered last fall and used all winter to fight off bugs and credited for keeping us healthy all winter isn’t gum weed at all!!!! It looks similar to gum weed but I just got the book “weeds of the west” and noticed the differences. I’ve been using sow thistle!!! So does it have similar properties to gumweed? Did it really stave off illness or did we just get lucky? (Highly unlikely with a house full of kids!) Can sow thistle be as amazing as gumweed? I kinda hope so because it’s everywhere right now… but I haven’t seen any gumweed…. [emoji780] (confused)

Jan

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

Comfrey wrote: I was at your herbal class last fall. (It was awesome!) you shared some of your dried gumweed with several of us. I put mine in a pint jar I had, and stuck it away (it was the leaves and flower heads). This past month we’ve had a tickely cough that wakes one up at night. I remembered the gumweed and made a tea with it. It was amazing! Stopped the cough, and actually made you feel sleepy so you can get some rest. I will be gathering this herb yearly from now on. Oh, and I didn’t worry about grinding it up. Just soaked about 2-3 tablespoons in a pint of boiling water for 30 minutes or so. I stated adding mullien and whatever other herbs I felt like later on. Thanks a bunch Dr. Jones for the info.

Grinding gumweed is a bit of a disaster for most blenders. I’m with you on just tincturing the danged stuff whole. Lately I’ve been tincturing tough stuff for a week or so and then blendering them. Seems to work really well.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

Jannevarez wrote: OK so I just discovered that the gum weed I gathered last fall and used all winter to fight off bugs and credited for keeping us healthy all winter isn’t gum weed at all!!!! It looks similar to gum weed but I just got the book “weeds of the west” and noticed the differences. I’ve been using sow thistle!!! So does it have similar properties to gumweed? Did it really stave off illness or did we just get lucky? (Highly unlikely with a house full of kids!) Can sow thistle be as amazing as gumweed? I kinda hope so because it’s everywhere right now… but I haven’t seen any gumweed…. [emoji780] (confused)

Jan

Sow thistle is edible and medicinal but does have some mild toxicity (especially the stems which can cause pretty serious colic and tenesmus if used internally in excess). It has a ton of vitamins/minerals in it.

It has been used historically for menstrual cramps (so don’t take it during pregnancy) as a liver tonic and as a salad green. It has anti-cancer properties and will break fevers and serve as a general tonic. In many ways it’s very similar to dandelion.

Oh…and the white sap will kill warts topically (again…like dandelion).

So sure, it probably did stave off your ills and make you feel better. Not just luck. Though it was lucky that you didn’t pick something less friendly. Always make sure you know what you’re getting. 🙂

Herbalist Michael Tierra once said that his favorite response to students who ask “What herbs should I take for such and such…” is “Any herb!”

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Jannevarez]

Yahhhh….. it’s a good thing I have angels watching out for me! And I’m glad I only used the leaves and chucked the stems. I love that it has tons of vitamins and minerals since that’s what I’ve been searching for with my non eating 8 year old son. .. Coincidence? Personally I think not! 🙂 One thing I’ve noticed and maybe it’s just me… but when I or someone is in need of a particular weed it seems to be right under our feet! Literally! So I’m learning to pay attention to the new plants that suddenly pop up out of no where….. maybe I’m crazy but it sure seems like those weeds come searching for US! (Wow that does sound crazy! I’m turning into such a wacky weed woman, sometimes I scare myself!) [emoji15] But I can’t ignore the overwhelming evidence and miracles I’ve already seen during my short weed journey

Jan

[IdahoHerbalist]

Doc Jones wrote: Herbalist Michael Tierra once said that his favorite response to students who ask “What herbs should I take for such and such…” is “Any herb!”

Doc

There is a LOT of truth to the chicken soup thing from ages ago. You see, they used to flavor the stuff with REAL herbs (sage, rosemary and the like) and they all have antimicrobial properties.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Jannevarez wrote: One thing I’ve noticed and maybe it’s just me… but when I or someone is in need of a particular weed it seems to be right under our feet! Literally!

NO! It is NOT just you. Our yard was on the way to Better Home Gardens cover photo status BEFORE we met Patrick! Now that we know about medicinal herbs they think this is A REALLY COOL PLACE TO HANG OUT. Kind of like when your parents go out of town. You decide to have a party with your closest and trusted friends. Then THEY invite THEIR closest and most “trusted” friends.

Yeah, that happens with medicinal herbs too. :LOL:

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

My place has become a medicinal plant magnet as well. Found some teasel growing in a crack in my patio this week. I live nowhere near teasel. That’s just the way it goes when you start caring about such things. The law of attraction kicks in and, next thing you know, you’re surrounded by the rascals.

I went to weed a flower bed this week (about 6’x6′ and nowhere near the rest of the herb beds). So who are the weeds growing there of their own volition?

-dandelion

– cranesbill

– motherwort

– yellow dock

– catnip

– purslane

– narrow leaf plantain

– cleavers

The only thing I planted there was echinacea and marshmallow! None of those species (except the cranesbill) were in that area last year.

I’ve also been inundated with cleavers on my place. It’s one of my favorite herbs and I’ve never seen it here in 20 years. This year it’s absolutely everywhere. Someone must’ve given it my address.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Jannevarez]

Oh my gosh!!! I LOVE that so much! I want all those friends to come to my house too!! I can hardly wait!

[emoji271] [emoji261] [emoji264] [emoji269] [emoji258] [emoji259] [emoji263] [emoji256] [emoji177]

Jan

[AnnettStudent]

When harvesting Gumweed is it best to cut off the tops (flowers and buds) or take the top third (like with chamomile)?

[Michelle KochStudent]

I treat it just like any other woody perennial. During active blooming season, I might take the top half off, or more likely, I will cut all the way to the base, taking only two or three stems of each plant. At the end of summer, I will prune back the entire plant, just as I would a Rosebush or my lavender or chrysanthemums.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Only take the BEST part of the plant. Read back through this merged topic for the whole story.

[AnnettStudent]

Doc said: I’m with you on just tincturing the danged stuff whole. Lately I’ve been tincturing tough stuff for a week or so and then blendering them. Seems to work really well.

Doc, do you mean that you used the stems too when you tinctured? Or did you take off the flower and bud tops and leaves first?

[IdahoHerbalist]

I only take some of the stem if there are a substantial number of leaves within an inch or so of the flower part. The stem is not nearly as good. If you are doing it for yourself TAKE THE BEST PARTS and use them. Also, I blender my non dried tinctures immediately, especially if they are stemmy or fluffy.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

annett wrote: Doc said: I’m with you on just tincturing the danged stuff whole. Lately I’ve been tincturing tough stuff for a week or so and then blendering them. Seems to work really well.

Doc, do you mean that you used the stems too when you tinctured? Or did you take off the flower and bud tops and leaves first?

I pretty much stick with the flowers and buds. But I don’t fish any leaves out that happen to fall in. The stems aren’t much use. If I were in a bind I’d use leaves if the flowers weren’t out yet but they don’t have near the resin content.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Doc Jones wrote: The stems aren’t much use. Doc

Yeah, we need to make sure we NEVER have to buy the herb online again. That stuff we got was harvested like alfalfa: right at the ground. Let’s talk about a harvesting trip SOON.

[AnnettStudent]

Doc said: Grinding gumweed is a bit of a disaster for most blenders. I’m with you on just tincturing the danged stuff whole. Lately I’ve been tincturing tough stuff for a week or so and then blendering them. Seems to work really well.

So, I followed your directions for tincturing whole gumweed. The problem is that there is not enough alcohol/water mixture to cover all the herb. In fact, with the herb pushed down as best I could, the alcohol only covers about 1/3 to 1/2 of the herb in the bottle. What do you do? Do you just change the position of the bottle daily so the alcohol covers a different portion of the herb each day?

Any suggestions?

[IdahoHerbalist]

Blend it up now. I find that with fresh plant material a 1:5 ratio would blend find and cover the material with just enough to be submerged.

If all else fails, add more hooch. Keep in mind that the more hooch you add the weaker the solution will be and the more you will need to take for the dose.

[dpropernickStudent]

I am in Mesa Arizona, I’ve been looking for gumweed in dried plant form for some time. I finally ordered the tincture from your store. Arrives today with your new book. We ended up being without hot wqter for 3 months and there is a leaky faucet so ended up with mold. Now I have some apparently in my bronchioles. After reading the respiratory section of your online school again I went to urgent care for shortness of breath to rule out any pneumonia. There is none. So is there like a herb that you can inhale the steam of that takes out the fungus? I’ve been using brigham tea, lobelia alteernating with cramp bark and urgent care gave an inhaler of albuterol. I’m thinking that the anti fungal properties of gumweed will help.Suggestions?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead InstructorTopic Author]

dpropernick wrote: I am in Mesa Arizona, I’ve been looking for gumweed in dried plant form for some time. I finally ordered the tincture from your store. Arrives today with your new book. We ended up being without hot wqter for 3 months and there is a leaky faucet so ended up with mold. Now I have some apparently in my bronchioles. After reading the respiratory section of your online school again I went to urgent care for shortness of breath to rule out any pneumonia. There is none. So is there like a herb that you can inhale the steam of that takes out the fungus? I’ve been using brigham tea, lobelia alteernating with cramp bark and urgent care gave an inhaler of albuterol. I’m thinking that the anti fungal properties of gumweed will help.Suggestions?

Sent you an email

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[sparrow]

I would love to know what you recommended for mold exposure. I know it’s complicated and multi-faceted, but I would love some advice. Many thanks!

[Author]

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