Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Gumweed (Grindelia species) has been traditionally used in North American herbal medicine, especially by Native American groups and early settlers, for treating various skin conditions, including abscesses. The plant’s sticky resinous exudate was commonly applied as a poultice or salve to infected wounds, boils, and abscesses. Historical herbal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as King’s American Dispensatory and the Eclectic Materia Medica, reference gumweed’s use for “suppurative” skin ailments, attributing its effects to its purported antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited. Modern pharmacological research has focused primarily on gumweed’s respiratory benefits (e.g., for coughs and bronchitis), and only a few studies have explored its antimicrobial or wound-healing activity. The resin contains diterpenes and saponins, which could theoretically contribute to antimicrobial action, but robust clinical or laboratory studies specifically demonstrating efficacy for abscesses are lacking. As such, gumweed’s use for abscesses is justified mainly by traditional practice and anecdotal reports rather than scientific validation.

More about Gumweed
More about Abscesses

Other ingredients used for Abscesses

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bayberry
berberine
bergamot
black walnut
bromelain
burdock
chamomile
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
echinacea purpurea
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
green tea
lavender
licorice root
magnesium
oregano
plantain
protein
scrophularia root
trypsin
vitamin C
bentonite
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
shen-chu
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
privet
boxthorne
pau d'arco
myrrh
siler root
amber
trichosanthes
sheep's sorrel
assam indigo
eucalyptus
stillingia
paw paw
white oak
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
geranium
arnica
red root
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Asclepias cordifolia
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Acacia
Agave
Allicin
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Aucubin
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Andrographis
Alkanet
Alsonia scholaris
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Asteracea
Abuta
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Baphicacanthus cusia
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Barleria
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Bindweed
Banyan
Bletilla
Boxwood
Bur-Reed
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Black root
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Coconut
Calendula
Croton seeds
Calotropis gigantea
Colloidal Silver
Capillary Artemisia
Cinquefoil
Cymbidium goeringii
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cynoglossum grande
Celandine
California Pitcher Plant
Centipeda
Carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
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Castor Oil
Copaiba Oil
Cynanchum
Clerodendrum indicum
Casearia sylvestris
Catlaw Buttercup
Chrysophanics
Didymocarpus
DIVI-DIVI
Dragon's Blood
Davilla rugosa
European Elder
Erigeron
Elephant Vine
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Echinacea
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
European-Five Finger Grass
Flueggea suffruticosa
Figwort
Fomes fomentarius
Ficus simplicissima
Genipap
Gnaphalium
Gumweed
Garlic
Giant Blazingstar
Gallotannin
Gugambilla
Golden Shower Tree
Guazuma ulmifolia
Honey
Heal-All
Hedyotis
Hellebore
Houttuynia
Hound's Tongue
Helicteres isora
Henna
Herb Robert
Hyaluronidase
Huang Hua
Isatis
Immortelle
Indian Fagonia
Jessica's Sticktight
Kigelia africana
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
Kamala
Kalanchoe pinnatum
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Lebbek
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Laggera pterodonta
Lophira lanceolata
Luffa
Lodhtree
lac resin
Lantana camara
Little ironweed
Lewis's monkey flower
Mallow
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Matapalo Tree
Mahonia
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Morning Glory
Marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Microcos
Macaranga indica
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
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Oldenlandia diffusa
Oxystelma
Propolis
Purple Tephrosia
Plantago
Pluchea
Pink Root
Pellitory
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pentatropis capensis
Plumbago zeylanica
Patrinia
Physalis angulata
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Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
Red Alder
Resin
Red Spiderling
Rubia yunnanensis
Rhus glabra
Sanicle
Spilanthes
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sargentodoxa
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Sausage Tree
Smartweed
Shikonin
Self-Heal
Smooth Alder
Serrapeptase
Sangre de Grado
Solanum indicum
Sanguisorba
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sarcandra glabra
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Sandy Everlasting
Smoketree
Thymoquinone
Tannins
Thymus
Thuja
Tree of heaven
Thymol
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Tulbaghia
Tea Tree Oil
Tagetes
Violet
Viola
Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
Waltheria ovata
Yerba Mansa
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Other health conditions supported by Gumweed

Abscesses
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Cuts
Inflammation
Injuries
Rashes and Hives
Scratches and Abrasions
Wounds and Sores

Products containing Gumweed

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.