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We have probably all walked through a field, only to be annoyed by the pesky burrs stuck to our socks or pant legs. But the root of that plant is a major ingredient of a wide variety of healthy remedies. Burdock (officially Arctium lappa) grows wild in Europe, Asia, and North America. The root is sweet and has a gummy consistency but the leaves are bitter like dandelion. The stalks taste a little like celery.
Burdock's active ingredients are arcigen, calcium, chlorogenic acid, essential oil, flavonoids, inulin, lactone, mucilage, polyacetylenes, potassium, resin, tannin, and taraxosterol. It contains vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin C and a few other vitamins. Burdock provides significant amounts of chromium, copper, iron, and magnesium. The root also contains trace amounts of organic mercury, making it ideal for mercury detox formulas.
Not just the roots contain medicinal substances. In fact, historically, the seeds of the burdock plants were crushed to make an oil to relieve pain from arthritis, and for treating rheumatism, eczema, ulcers, acne, gout, and psoriasis. The burdock seeds contain healthful fatty acids. The oil from the seeds can be used to increase perspiration. This cleanses the body for influenza, liver disorders, or gallbladder, and to activate the kidneys. The leaves or leaf tea has been used in treating poison ivy or poison oak. Some just like to eat the leaves like lettuce and the root as a vegetable.
Burdock root is most famous as a blood purifier. How it does this is debated, but it might be related to the diuretic qualities of the herb. The root also contains iron, inulin, and beneficial oils. It can be used as a gentle laxative, ridding the body of uric acid. Burdock also contains polyacetylenes which combat bacteria and fungus.
Burdock root has been used for centuries as a remedy for arthritis, viruses like colds, measles, tonsillitis, throat pain, and, as mentioned, as a diuretic. The Chinese believed it was an aphrodisiac, and effective in treating impotence and barrenness.
The burdock root extract has long been used in Europe to treat dandruff and encourage healthy hair growth. To improve the condition of your hair, simply massage burdock root oil into your scalp. Also, recent studies have shown that arctigenin, a chemical in burdock, may well be effective in treating some types of cancer by slowing tumor growth. It contains Essiac and Hoxsey, both used in cancer treatment.
Burdock is available in teas, pills, ointments, or as Bur oil. It is very safe whether taken internally or externally, but be sure the burdock you have is pure. Because of its likeness in appearance to belladonna, a lethal plant, some have claimed burdock is not safe when it was really mixed with this look alike.
Though some tests indicate burdock is may help with abnormal blood sugar levels, it should be used cautiously for this. Mixed opinions are given about use of burdock by pregnant women because some say it may cause uterine contractions. It is best used in combination with other herbs since it can start the body cleansing too rapidly if used alone. If used by itself, start with small amounts. Also, for its blood cleansing effects to be maximized, burdock needs to be used consistently over an extended period, at least three months.
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