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Gumweed Syrup - A Fall Project

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T O P I C R E V I E W
babs	Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 12:00:33 PM I scored. I scored big. I don't know if Gumweed is native to Minnesota as it's really hard to find. It's also listed as being an invasive pest in some states. At any rate, I now have 6 plants being babied in my flower bed. I haven't had access to gumweed for about 6 years now so I was really, really excited to find them. It looks scary due to the hooked barbs on the flower bulb, but the barbs are soft and not at all pokey. I use gumweed to make a natural cough syrup, and I'm going to share with you how so you can too. :) You need to pick the resinous flower heads just before they bloom when they are their most sticky, and add them to a jar of food grade glycerin. The glycerine will act as a solvent and remove the resin from the flowers. Keep your jar in a cool cupboard away from heat (not the one next to the oven under the counter). Watch for air bubbles and shake as necessary. You do not want your plant matter to spoil. Strain this after about 4 - 6 weeks depending on the date of the last addition to your jar. Tannins, volatile oils, resins, bitter alkaloids, and glucosides give Gumweed a very disagreeable taste, so when you strain your jar add 1/2 as much fresh glycerine or until your solution is palatable. Or conversly you could not pack your jar. ;) I strongly suggest dilution over the addition of a sweetner. More is not necessarliy better in this case. Some plants are bitter for a reason, it's best not to over do it. It's very soothing to rough throats, makes their coughs more productive and the kids don't mind the taste at all. Babs Laundry Soap & girly stuff: www.mugwortmaggies.com Connect to me on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mugwortmaggie
5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Hideaway Farmgirl	Posted - Sep 19 2007 : 11:12:11 AM Thanks for the extra information, and for the warnings, too, ladies! Jo "Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!"
babs	Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 12:42:11 PM It prefers very poor soil. It grows very well in the meridians on the highway. Though I was not about to collect it from such a high traffic/toxic area. I'm glad you have so much. How lucky for you. I do not support casual internal use of this plant. Animals have died grazing on it. I'm going to guess from selenium poisoning, as it's a bad one for absorbing selenium from the soil. We are selenium poor, (my goats need a supplement block). That also may be why it doesn't grow well here. The toxicity of these plants will vary widely depending on your soil! Babs Laundry Soap & girly stuff: www.mugwortmaggies.com Connect to me on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mugwortmaggie
GaiasRose	Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 12:35:32 PM OH! I just realized that the poison ivy tea blend I have has gumweed in it too. Works for poison ivy, poison oak and rashes from plants. I did a search for more uses and further contraindications and found this to be one of a few helpful guides for it: http://montana.plant-life.org/species/grindelia_squarro.htm Thanks for bringing this herb up. ~~Brightest Blessings~~ Tasha-Rose Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com Homepage: http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH
GaiasRose	Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 12:28:22 PM I am really very surprised you don't have it in more abundance down there. We have it out back in huge quantities. Our back area use to be pasture though and it seems that pasture land and roadsides are where it is the most prolific. You can also use it dried for tea (only about a teaspoon or two for tea)or as an extract. It can cause stomach upset though and if too much is taken it could be fatal. like I said, I very surprised you don't have more of it there. We hung and dried quite a bit of it about three weeks ago. Grace had it in tea and needed some stevia as she didn't like it, but we each have our own tastes, right? I have also read it being good for spleen issues, ulcers and asthma. ~~Brightest Blessings~~ Tasha-Rose Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com Homepage: http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH
Hideaway Farmgirl	Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 12:25:53 PM Babs, Congratulations on your "babies"! And, thanks for setting up a Fall Project for us herbal newbies! Jo "Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!"

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