Grindelia Rob

A sticky, resinous gumweed from western North America, traditionally used in homoeopathy for wheezy breathing and tough phlegm that is hard to clear.

Grindelia robusta is a gumweed, a bushy member of the daisy family from the Pacific coast and mountains of western North America. Its yellow flower heads and leaves are coated with a sticky, balsamic resin, which gives the plant its common names gumweed and gumplant.

In homoeopathy it belongs mainly to the chest. Homoeopaths traditionally turn to it for wheezing and a tight, oppressed chest, especially a smothering feeling that wakes the person just as they fall asleep, with tough mucus that is hard to bring up. It has also been used for the itch and blistering of plant rashes.

• Wheezy breathing
• Tough, sticky phlegm
• Waking short of breath
• Itchy plant rashes