Goldenweed
StarGrindelia ciliata
Synonyms: Donia ciliata, Grindelia papposa, Haplopappus ciliatus, Prionopsis ciliata, Aster ciliatus
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
The gumweeds (Grindelia spp.) are a documented Eclectic and Western herbal medicine: the resinous flowering tops and leaves are used as an expectorant and antispasmodic for asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough, and applied topically for poison-ivy and poison-oak dermatitis (Felter & Lloyd, 1898). Various North American Indigenous peoples likewise used Grindelia preparations for respiratory complaints and as a skin wash for sores and burns (Moerman, 1998).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Grindelia ciliata (synonym Grindelia papposa), commonly called spinytooth gumweed, goldenweed or Spanish gold, is an annual or biennial herb in the family Asteraceae, native to the south-central United States and Mexico, where it grows in prairies, plains, roadsides and disturbed ground. It produces erect, branching stems and alternate, oblong leaves with spine-toothed (ciliate) margins that clasp the stem. The plant is characterised by its showy yellow daisy-like flower heads, the involucral bracts of which exude a sticky, milky-white resinous gum, particularly noticeable in the bud, giving the gumweeds their name. After flowering the achenes bear a pappus, the well-developed pappus distinguishing this species within the genus. As with other Grindelia species, the resinous flowering tops and foliage are aromatic and rich in diterpene resins.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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