Grindelia integrifolia gumweed leaves

[SharonStudent]

I have planted 8 Grindelia integrifolia plants which apparently have large “floppy” (bunny ear look) leaves on the bottom, and I believe that the upper leaves (when they show up) will be noticeably smaller.  So I’m hoping that the big leaves will have a good amount of medicine in them since I won’t have flowers until next season.  Any thoughts and direction will be greatly appreciated.

[SharonStudentTopic Author]

Perhaps the “large floppy leaves” are only a first year thing?  Either way, is there good medicine in the first year leaves?  If so, can/should I dry them first before making tincture?  Vodka or Everclear?

I just read this online and would like to know if it’s accurate (particularly the underlined part).  If so, that would tell me that the leaves are good medicine (at least in the second year…  “Curly-cup Gumweed is unpalatable to browsing mammals due to the presence of tannins, oils, resins and alkaloids. However for human medicinal use, the plant has been found useful in the first part of the 20th century. Moore (Ref. #30) states that the parts used included the buds and flowering heads when first in bloom and the leaves before flowering. The dried leaves will make a tea for bronchitis or as an expectorant. The tea is aromatic but bitter. Dried flowers are used for a tincture to treat bladder infections. The gummy buds and flowers can be chewed as chewing gum. Hutchins (Ref.#12) reports that Native Americans in the Rocky Mountain area used extracts of the plant as an antidote for poison oak and poison ivy.”

Thanks in advance!

[SharonStudentTopic Author]

Doc – can you help me out here?  I have 8 large floppy long leafed gumweed that I planted in our garden (yes, we’re crazy too) – first year plants, so no flowers.  Strictly Medicinal says in regards to the strange leaves that don’t look at all like our wild ones: “It is amazing how much the difference in growing medium affects the overall look of a plant. In general, plants cultivated in the garden will be a bit more “floppy” or soft and broad leaved. This can just be attributed to nice soil and consistent water in a garden environment. Plants in their native habitat have to rely on rain, and tend to make just as many leaves in needed for the year to conserve water and resources.”

So here’s the medicinal questions for you…  These plants have LOTS and LOTS of large leaves and no flowers.  But as luck would have it, for the first time I’ve noticed since joining the class, everywhere locally is just covered in wild gumweed – and it’s in flower (and has little bitty scrawny leaves) here in the high altitude desert.  I know I need at least 70% alcohol due to the sticky resin – but do I need 95%?  The bigger question is whether I use only the flowers from the wild ones, or if I use my big floppy leaves with it?  And what would it’s primary use as a topical tincture be?  Are these “first year”/garden grown/big floppy leaves as good of a medicine as the flowers – or are they not really worth bothering with?  It might be nice if they were edible and had some good nutritional benefits.  Ok, I think that’s enough questions for now.  I really want to finish up my gumweed project very soon, so I hope you get a chance to pop in and help me with this.  Thanks in advance!

• This reply was modified 10 months, 2 weeks ago by Sharon. Reason: Added a question

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Be patient and wait for the flowers. The plants are just getting started. Let them save their energy to get well established. The flowers and buds are lots more medicinal than the weeds.

Gumweed (Grindelia spp.)

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

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Sharon

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