Chest Infections: Grindelia Camporum Can Provide Relief From Irritating Coughs And Chest Infections

Grindelia camporum, also known as great valley gumweed or giant gum, is a perennial plant that thrives in the dry climates of Mexico, California and South America, where it can commonly be found growing by roadsides. Native Americans have traditionally used grindelia to help alleviate bronchial problems and chest infections, and also as a remedy for allergic skin rashes, particularly those caused by poison ivy.

Grindelia was introduced to the West towards the end of the nineteenth century, but it remained relatively under-used until recent research unravelled its full therapeutic potential. There is now a mounting body of evidence to suggest that grindelia can help treat a wide range of conditions, and it appears to be particularly effective against chest infections that often plague people at this time of year.

Even if you don't develop a full-blown chest infection, you are still at risk of suffering from catarrh, shortness of breath or an irritating cough. This is because, come the end of summer, our immune systems often fail to function at their full capacity. Changes in the weather can trick your body into believing that it should be hibernating during the winter months, and as a result everything in the body starts to slow down in preparation, including your immune system - which leaves you more vulnerable to developing an infection.

Grindelia helps clear your lungs and prevents congestion
Many sufferers of emphysema, bronchitis, chest infections and persistent coughs - which are all related to inflammation and excess mucous production - have experienced significant improvements in their symptoms after using grindelia for just a few weeks. Its beneficial effects in these areas are thought to be largely a result of its combined action against the nerve endings in the body, which play a role in the process of inflammation and the production of mucous.

Grindelia regulates the amount of mucous being created and blocks nerve signals that can cause an excessive production of inflammatory chemicals, such as interleukin. This means that the lungs become less clogged with mucous and less irritated which, in turn, encourages small muscles in the lining of the lungs to relax - making it easier to breath and reducing coughs.

The active ingredients in grindelia possess many health-related benefits
The active ingredients found in grindelia are mainly concentrated in its leaves and bright yellow flowers.1

Scientists working at the Institute of Botany and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg in Germany, found that the plant contains several natural pharmaceuticals such as balsamic resin, volatile oils, terpenoids and saponins. They are known to be effective in fighting infections and are also able to reduce mucous build-up in the lungs and block inflammation.2

Grindelia also contains natural plant chemicals called flavonoids and diterpenes. British scientists working at the Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, School of Pharmacy at the University of London, have found that diterpenes and flavonoids are able to inhibit the actions of a specific cell toxin called nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB).

NfkB is well known for stimulating the inflammation process, so any remedy like grindelia which can block this mechanism helps prevent inflammatory conditions such as coughs, breathing difficulties, skin allergies and irritations.3

Grindelia's ability to maintain cell-health helps boost immunity
Scientists working at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, El-Minia University in Egypt, have isolated a particular type of diterpene found in the plant called grindelic acid, which is known to be an extremely effective anti-inflammatory agent.

In the course of their research, the Egyptian scientists also discovered that the leaves and flowers of the plant are brimming with hitherto unknown beneficial chemicals, such as 15-hydroxy-13-epimanoxyl oxide-14-O-alpha arabinoside and 19-hydroxygrindelic acid.4

Despite their complex-sounding and unpronounceable names, these natural plant chemicals exert very simple, albeit important, actions at a cellular level - helping to promote proper cell function and metabolism. They have been shown to protect against free radical damage, boost immunity, exert a natural antibiotic effect and inhibit the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase - which is a major culprit in causing inflammation and fluid retention.5

What to take for best results
It is important that you consult your doctor before taking grindelia, especially if you are currently on any medication. The recommended dose for grindelia, when taken in tincture form, is: 20 drops diluted in a glass of water to be drunk three times a day, or as otherwise directed on the product's label.

WARNING: It is extremely important that you follow the directions on the product's label and do not exceed the recommended dose. Grindelia is excreted from the kidneys and can cause mild kidney irritation when taken in high amounts. This problem improves when grindelia is stopped. This potential side effect, resulting from following dosage instructions incorrectly, is more pronounced in people over the age of 55, whose kidneys are naturally less efficient at eliminating toxic by-products of the metabolism. As a precautionary measure, pregnant and breast-feeding women should not take grindelia since no studies have been carried out as yet to confirm its safety in these areas.

1. Economic Botany 1986 40:155-161
2. Planta Med 1990, 56(4):392-394
3. J Pharm Pharmacol 2002, 54(4):453-472
4. J Nat Prod 2001, 64(10):1365-1367
5. Bioorg Med Chem 2003, 11(7):1187-1190