Burdock Root

Burdock root is a tuberaof greater burdock plant that found its use as a vegetable and medicinal herb. The plant burdock is a short biennial which believed to be native to northern europe and siberia. In japan, popular as gobo, it has been cultivated as a major root herb since earlier times. In the nature, however, burdock sighted as a wild, easy-growing, hardy plant existing in almost any parts of the planet. Botanically, burdock belongs to the family of asteraceae; of the genus of arctium, and known scientifically as arctium lappa.

Greater burdock plant grows to about a meter in height. Its broad, heart-shaped, coarse leaves feature deep-green on the top and light green on the underside, similar to that of in rhubarb. In the summer season, its thick hairy stems of about 5 feet in length, bear reddish purple tubular flowers, which subsequently develop into seed-heads or burrs with hooked spines. Close to its harvesting time, its browinsh deep taprootameasure about 2-3 feet,aslender, and appear in shape like that of carrot or parsnip. Of the four species of arctium, only greater burdock (a. Lappa) and lesser burdock (a. Minus) are cultivated for their herbal parts. In general, the roots are unearthed in the fall, slow dried and stored for use in the winter. The burdock root has the flavor that resembles the sweet taste of jerusalem artichokes or parsnips, has a crispy texture with gummy consistency. Almost all the parts of the plant are being used either for culinary purpose or as a curative remedy for certain medical conditions.

It is so well known, even by little boys, who pull off the bur to throw and stick upon one another that it needs no description. They grow plentifully by ditches, watersides, highways, and on waste grounds.

It is a most excellent herb. It has been successfully used in many chronic diseases, as scurvy, rheumatism, gout, lues venerea, and affections of the lungs.

It is a powerful diuretic, and it has been known to succeed in dropsical cases where other powerful medicines had been ineffectually used. As it neither excites nausea, nor increases irritation, it is worthy of a trial where more active remedies are improper.

Burdock roots, young shoots, peeled stalks, and dried seedsacontain numerous compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

The root is very low in calories; provide about 72 calories per 100 g. Burdock is a good source of non-starch polysaccharides such as inulin, glucoside-lappin, mucilage, etc., that help act as a laxative. Additionally, inulin acts as prebiotic and helps reduce blood-sugar level, body-weight, and cholesterol levels in the blood.

Burdock root is especially containing good amounts of electrolyte potassium (308 mg or 6.5% of daily-required levels per 100 g root) and low in sodium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

This herb root contains small quantities of many vital vitamins, including folic acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, vitamin-e, and vitamin-c that is essential for optimum health. Both vitamin c and e are powerful natural antioxidants help the human body stave off infections, cancer and neurologic conditions.

Furthermore, it also contains some valuable minerals such as iron, manganese, magnesium; and small amounts of zinc, calcium, selenium, and phosphorus.

Just like its fellow asterceae family member dandelion, almost all the parts of burdock herb too found a place in various traditional as well modern medicines.

Burdock has been used in many folk remedies as one of the best blood purifiers. It contains certain diuretic principles, which help expel toxic products from the blood through urine.

The herb is employed in the treatment of skin problems such as eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, skin dryness, etc. The plant parts have been used as an herbal remedy for liver and gall bladder complaints.

Effusion of burdock seeds has been used for throat and chest ailments.

Burdock leaves and stems, in addition to their use as a vegetable, have appetite stimulant an are a good remedy for gas and indigestion (dyspeptic) complaints.

The seeds also possess a diuretic quality, and are very advantageous in stone or gravel, and in the form of an emulsion for coughs. A decoction may be made by boiling two ounces of the fresh root in two pints of water. This is excellent for provoking urine. It should be taken in one or two days. The leaves bruised and mixed with the white of an egg, is excellent for burns, scalds, etcetera. The decoction applied to sores stops gangrene; but the ointment of burdock must also be applied. Powder the root and mix with hog's lard, and a little vinegar. In short, it is aperient, diuretic, and sudorific.

During the middle ages, burdock was valued for treating a host of ailments, internal and external. It was used for purifying the blood for it acts on sweat glands and clears the skin, a tincture or fluid extract of the seeds being used for the treatment of chronic skin complaints. Burdock has played an important role (along with red clover) in native american medicine.

Western herbalists consider the root the most important part of burdock, and use it as a cleansing eliminative remedy whenever there is a build-up of toxins leading to skin problems, digestive sluggishness, or arthritic pains.

It is not fully understood which chemicals in burdock are responsible for its healing properties, but the plant has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and anti-carcinogenic activities.

It has cured dropsies alone, and has arrested the progress of fevers. In fact it is a most valuable herb; but its commonness is against it. Remember, that providence has made some of the most useful plants the most common. The leaves bruised and moistened with spirits of hartshorn and laudanum, form an excellent application for sprains, bruises, and other external injuries, it is good for old ulcers and sores.