Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
The shared monograph “grindeliae herba” includes Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal. This profile is limited to the parts and preparations described there.
Inclusion in a collective monograph does not prove that each species has been studied separately in humans. The form and pharmaceutical quality described remain decisive.
Also known as: No synonyms listed.
A common name and photograph do not guarantee identification. Check the botanical name and part indicated on a traceable product.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Cough associated with the common cold
Traditional oral use of the herb, as tea or specified extracts, for cold-associated cough. The shared monograph does not demonstrate clinical efficacy separately for each species.
Use considered plausible in a traditional-use monograph. That status alone does not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Source-listed contraindicationAllergy to grindelia or other Asteraceae plants.Source
Medicine interactions
- No interaction reported in the sourceNo interactions are reported in the monograph for the specified preparations; this does not establish compatibility with every medicine.Source
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- Digestive irritation is possible.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Medicinal use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended because adequate data are lacking; safety has not been established.
SourceChildren & adolescents
Medicinal use is not recommended below 18 years because adequate data are lacking; follow the preparation-specific leaflet.
SourceIf symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Forms & how they are used
DOCUMENTED FORMS
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
InfusionFlowering aerial parts · Route: oral
Preparation described in the shared monograph.
Please note: Follow the product's package leaflet; concentrations are not interchangeable.
Read the sourceTinctureFlowering aerial parts · Route: oral
Preparation described in the shared monograph.
Please note: Alcohol; follow the leaflet and do not extrapolate a herbal tea dose.
Read the sourceUnderstanding the plant’s actions
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
How does the plant act?
Curlycup gumweed has its own research on respiratory cells. This complements the traditional scope of cough associated with the common cold without turning it into clinical evidence. Cells may be human while being studied only in the laboratory: “human cells” does not mean “treated patients”.
Constituents to know.
Their presence and quantity depend on the plant part and preparation.
- Grindelic acid
- Diterpene studied alongside a G. squarrosa extract. Testing the molecule separately helps explore a possible contribution, without reducing the whole plant to it.Read the reference
Respiratory inflammatory response
The work examines LPS response pathways, including TLR-4 and cytokine production in epithelial cells and macrophages. This model does not reproduce a cold-related cough in its entirety.
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
Read the referenceWhat this means for preparation.
The assessment concerns identified aerial parts and preparations. A syrup combining several plants would not by itself allow the contribution of gumweed to be measured.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Airway cell models
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
- Type of research
- In vitro study on human nasal and bronchial cells and macrophages
- Preparation concerned
- G. squarrosa extract and grindelic acid.
- Observed results
- Modulation of pro-inflammatory functions in the systems tested.
- Limitations to consider
- No trial here measures cough duration or complications of an infection. The experimental concentration does not provide a dose for use.
What can we take from this?
This research lead does not allow grindelia to be presented as an antibiotic, asthma treatment or corticosteroid equivalent.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- EMA — grindeliae herbaAccessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — assessment of grindeliaAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Gierlikowska et al. — Grindelia squarrosa and inflammatory functions of respiratory cells (2021)Accessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — document officiel relu : usages et sécurité, Grindélia squarreuxAccessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Cory Maylett (2005) — Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
