Overview

Gumweed is an herb. People dry the leaves and top of the plant to make medicine.

People use gumweed for conditions such as cough, bronchitis, asthma, and skin conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Cough.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Swelling (inflammation) of the nose, sinuses, and throat.
  • Poison ivy when applied to the skin.
  • Skin conditions when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of gumweed for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Gumweed is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. But it can cause some side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gumweed is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Gumweed is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. But it can cause some side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gumweed is safe or what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gumweed is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergy to ragweed, daisies, and related plants: Gumweed may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking gumweed.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Gumweed overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of gumweed depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for gumweed. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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