Gordolobo

Gnaphalium spp.
Photo courtesy of Mxico Desconocido magazine.

Text by: Armando Gonzalez Stuart, Ph.D., 2003

Common name in English: Everlasting.
Botanical family: Asteraceae.
Medicinal parts: The flowers and sometimes the stalks.

History
Gordolobo has been used for centuries in Mexico chiefly as an expectorant and antitussive
agent, although is purportedly has general anti-inflammatory activity, especially for
gastrointestinal complaints and (externally) as a coadjuvant in reducing hemorrhoids
(Villagomez-Ibarra et al., 2001; Taddei-Bringas et al.,1999).
Although as many as 200 different species are contained within this genus (Gonzlez de
Coso, 1984), the common usage in Mexican folk medicine for many of them is virtually
the same: the treatment of coughs and other respiratory system ailments.
In the western United States, some Native American tribes have employed related species,
such as Pseudognaphalium californicum, for the treatment of throat and stomach ailments
(Foster and Hobbs, 2002).
Gordolobo tea is made from the decoction of the flowers and stalks, this being the most
popular form of ingesting the plant (Villagomez-Ibarra et al., 2001; Adame and Adame,
2000; Argueta et al., 1994; Martinez, 1989).
1

This plant has the same vernacular name in Spanish and some of the medicinal properties
of, European Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L., Scrophulariaceae), although there is no
taxonomical relation between these species (Bruneton, 1999). Because of the same
vernacular or common name, the two species are often confused in the Mexican literature
regarding medicinal plants (Cabrera, 1988).
To confuse things further, the name gordolobo is also commonly applied to a different
plant, (Bocconia frutescens L., Papaveraceae), which is employed against bronchitis and
various gastrointestinal ailments, in many parts of Latin America (Morton, 1981).
Active principles

Flavonoids
Glycosides
Polyacethylenic compounds
Terpenes, sesquiterpenelactones
(Villagomez-Ibarra et al., 2001; Argueta et al., 1994; Romo de Vivar, 1985).

Applications in herbal therapy

Coughs and Bronchitis (Gonzlez, 1998; Martinez, 1989).

Infant colic (Aguilar, 1999; Martinez, 1989).
As an external poultice against hemorrhoids (Argueta et al., 1994; Linares et al.,
1994).
In many parts of Latin America, various species of the genus Gnaphalium are also
employed medicinally as expectorants, as well as for gastrointestinal complaints
(Meragelman et al., 2003; Bjar et al., 2001; Cceres et al., 1991, 1990; Morton,
1981).
Extracts from various species of the genus Gnaphalium have antimicrobial
properties (Rojas et al., 2001; Villagomez-Ibarra et al., 2001; Mongelli et al., 1995;
Cuadra et al., 1994).

Safety/Precautions

It is important to strain the tea before ingestion, as the flower material may be
abrasive or irritating to the throat (Adame and Adame, 2000).
Some species belonging to this genus may possess allergenic activity (Mondal et al.,
1998). Aside from a case of contact dermatitis from handling gordolobo
(Romaguera et al., 1985), there are no toxicity reports regarding this plant.
Since the plant has not been thoroughly investigated, it is best to avoid ingestion
during pregnancy and lactation.

Note: Reports of liver toxicity in California, Arizona and other areas of the American
Southwest from ingesting a tea made from a plant supposedly called gordolobo yerba,
were in fact due to mistaking another species for gordolobo. The toxic plant belonged to the
genus Senecio, which is known to contain hepatotoxic pyrrolozidine alkaloids (Bruneton,
1999; Stillman et al., 1977). It is therefore of the greatest importance that wild plants not be
collected by people with no botanical training, in order to minimize the possibility of
mistaken identity and possible intoxication.
Herb/Drug interactions
Unknown. More research is needed in order to find out the possible interactions between
this plant and conventional pharmaceutical drugs.

Literature cited
Adame J, Adame H. Plantas Curativas del Noreste Mexicano.
Monterrey, Mexico: Ediciones Castillo; 2000.
Aguilar A. Plantas Medicinales del Centro de Mxico.
Mxico City: Guas prcticas Mxico Desconocido; 1999.
Argueta A. Atlas de las Plantas de la Medicina Tradicional Mexicana. 3 Vols.
Mexico City: Instituto Nacional Indigenista; 1994.
Bjar E, Russman R, Roa C, Sharon D. Herbs of Southern Ecuador
Spring Valley, California: Latino Herbal Press; 2001.
Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy: Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants 3 rd ed.
Paris: Intercept; 1999.

Cabrera R. Yerbario mexicano.

Mexico City: Gomez-Gomez Hermanos; 1988.
Caceres A, Alvarez AV, Ovando AE, Samayoa BE. Plants used in Guatemala for the
treatment of respiratory diseases. 1. Screening of 68 plants against gram-positive bacteria.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 31(2):193-208.
Caceres A, Cano O, Samayoa B, Aguilar L. Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of
gastrointestinal disorders. 1. Screening of 84 plants against enterobacteria.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1990; 30(1):55-73.
Cuadra P, Fajardo V, Munoz O, et al. Determination of the effect of 8-O-(2-methyl-2butenoyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyflavone from Gnaphalium robustum on growth of
Escherichia coli K-12 by optical density and electrical conductance measurements.
Planta Med. 1994; 60(6):598-599.
Foster S, Hobbs C. Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs.
New York: Houghton Mifflin; 2002.
Gonzlez M. Plantas Medicinales del Noreste de Mxico.
Monterrey, Mexico: IMSS-Vitro; 1998.
Gonzlez de Coso M. Especies Vegetales de Importancia Econmica en Mxico.
Mexico City: Editorial Porra; 1984.
Linares E, Flores B, Bye R. Seleccin de Plantas Medicinales de Mxico.
Mexico City: Limusa; 1994.
Martnez M. Las Plantas Medicinales de Mxico.
Mexico City: Editorial Botas; 1989.
Meragelman TL, Silva GL, Mongelli E, Gil RR. Ent-pimarane type diterpenes from
Gnaphalium gaudichaudianum. Phytochemistry. 2003; 62(4):569-572.
Mondal AK, Parui S, Mandal S. Analysis of the free amino acid content in pollen of nine
Asteraceae species of known allergenic activity. Ann Agric Environ Med.1998; 5(1):17-20.
Mongelli E, Desmarchelier C, Coussio J, Ciccia G. Antimicrobial activity and interaction
with DNA of medicinal plants from the Peruvian Amazon region. [Article in Spanish]
Rev Argent Microbiol. 1995; 27(4):199-203.
Morton JF. Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America: Bahamas to Yucatn.
Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas; 1981.
Rojas G, Levaro J, Tortoriello J, Navarro V. Antimicrobial evaluation of certain plants used
in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 74(1):97-101.

Romaguera C, Grimalt F, Vilaplana J. Occupational dermatitis from Gordolobo (Mullein).

Contact Dermatitis. 1985; 12(3):176.
Romo de Vivar A. Productos Naturales De La Flora Mexicana.
Mexico City: Noriega-Limusa; 1985.
Stillman AS, Huxtable R, Consroe P. et al., Hepatic veno-occlusive disease due to
pyrrolizidine (Senecio) poisoning in Arizona. Gastroenterology. 1977; 73(2):349-352.
Taddei-Bringas GA, Santillana-Macedo MA, Romero-Cancio JA,et al. Acceptance and use
of medicinal plants in family medicine [Article in Spanish] Salud Publica Mex. 1999;
41(3):216-220.
Villagomez-Ibarra JR, Sanchez M, Espejo O. et al., Antimicrobial activity of three Mexican
Gnaphalium species. Fitoterapia. 2001; 72(6):692-694.