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Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest New Title - Soon to be Released Medicinal Plant Profiles Photographic Index |
Cudweed Gnaphalium leucocephalum Lemon cudweed, Everlasting, Gordolobo, Manzanilla del Rio and Lampaquate Sunflower family – Compositae Description In the southwest Cudweed is one of the first plants to show new leaf growth in late winter. The wooly, grayish-green lance shaped leaves form tidy mounds under the pervious years dried flower stalks. They have the resemblance of strange, sand-loving sea anemones. The older perennials can send up 30-40, 1-2 foot high stems upon which in the late spring, small, white papery flowers appear. The inflorescence’s look to be roundish buttons; there are numerous bracts surrounding the reproductive flower parts at the center. As the flowers age the bracts radiate outward giving the inflorescence a disk-like appearance. The entire plant is sticky to the touch; it smells of a cross between Lemon verbena and freshly crushed pine needles. Distribution Cudweed can be found from 2000-5000 feet in and around sandy stream and wash bottoms where water flows seasonally; it ranges from southern Arizona to southern California south to Sonora. Chemistry A similarly used Cudweed, Gnaphalium oxyphyllum, contains: diterpenoids, flavonoids, acetylenic compounds, and carotenoids Medicinal Uses Cudweed lends itself well to initiatory stages of bronchitis where there is a dry and painful hacky cough. The tea is useful in dislodging impacted mucus that is difficult to expectorate. Its mild diaphoretic properties are excellent in dry feverish states where the body is hot and flushed. Lending credence to Cudweed’s beneficial effect on the pnuemic environment is its genus-wide, mild anti-microbial properties; a number of Cudweed species have been found to inhibit several Staphylococcus and Streptococcus varieties making its application to bacterial associated bronchitis more poignant. Most other species of Gnaphalium, particularly the aromatic varieties can be used as well medicinally. The great array of varying species in the west enables these plants a wider use. Both the geniuses Antennaria and Anaphalis are closely related to Gnaphalium and are likewise used similarly, although they are less expectorating and stimulating in nature. Indications Cough; dry, hacky, painful Bronchitis with difficult expectoration Bronchitis with dry febrile states Collection Collect the flowering herb in mid spring when the flowers have not matured fully and are still semi-formed; either dry loosely or in bundles. It is a wonderful plant to collect; paper bags, hands, and pruners all become lemon scented. Pruner blades will sometimes stick together from the buildup of lemon waxy-aromatics – oh the hardships! Preparations After drying the flower heads tend to expand and get downy, sending out a layer of fine fluff. When preparing the herb infusion use equal portions of flower, stems, and leaves. Dosage Herb infusion: 4-8 ounces 3-4 times daily Cautions It is best not to purchase Cudweed, or as it is locally known in the southwest and northern Mexico, Gordolobo, in commerce. The confusion starts firstly in that Gordolobo is also a common name for Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) in the area, which is not necessarily a major problem for the uses of both plants are somewhat similar. The more important issue is Gnaphalium’s occasional adulteration with Senecio longilobus, a rather toxic plant containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. In Mexico where the bulk of Gnaphalium is collected, it is commonly mistaken for this look-alike Senecio. This mix-up was responsible for the tragic death of a 6 month year-old baby in Tucson during the late 70’s. Cudweed itself is completely non-toxic and can be used freely.
Copyright © 2006 by Charles W. Kane |