Burdock
Arctium lappa
Use this herb for:
Actions
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Depurative
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Bitter
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Mild Laxative
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Joint Pain Relief
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Lowers Blood sugar
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Anti-caner
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Moisten and heal eczema and psoriasis
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Topically applied to cracks, grazes, chapped skin and insect bites
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Part of a wider treatment for rheumatic complaints
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To alleviate symptoms of gout (Increase uric acid output from the kidneys)
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Digestion aid and appetite stimulant
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Filtering and toning the kidneys particularly in cystitis and kidney stones
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Lymphatic draining
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Adjunct for food intolerance and allergy
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Alleviate respiratory allergies
Uses
Constituents
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Bitter Glycosides (Arctiopicrin)
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Inulin up to 50%
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Flavonoids
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Polyacetylenes
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Volatile Acids (Acetic, Proprionic, Butyric, Isovaleric)
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Non-Hydroxyl Acids (Lauric, Myristic, Stearic, Palmitic)
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Tannin
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Polyphenolic Acids
Energetics
The root is sweet, bitter and pungent, oily and warm.
The Burdock root offers many opportunities for healing in a spiritual sense. Claiming to lessen difficult emotions like anger, aggression, bias and excess ambition while nourishing the self to flow more easily. With the shift to possibility and positivity, the content with what the self has will develop.
Burdock often grows on roadsides and can reach up to 1.5m in height, with very large ovate-cordate leaves up to 50cm across forming a rosette at the ground level. The long roots grow down in to the ground up to 1m deep. There are several species of burdock and one species is often difficult to distinguish from another. Classically characteristic hooked burrs; the latin named derived from the Greek word arktos, or bear, in reference to the rough burrs and lappa, to seize.
The roots and seeds are used in the Chinese tradition the seeds, niu bang zi, are used to dispel ‘wind and heat evils’ and to treat the appearance of unproductive coughs, measles, sore throats, colds and influenza, tonsillitis.
In some countries the root is used to lower blood sugar, it’s insulin content making it particularly suitable for diabetics.
Growing
Typically found on the side of a road or path where the ground has been disturbed in Britain, North America, Europe and Asia. The roots should be unearthed some time in September or October in the first year or in the following spring when the flowers appear. The leaves should be harvested before or during early flowering and the seeds can be harvested in late summer.
Cautions
Do not take with a known allergy to plants in the Asteraceae family.
Dosages should be cautiously and initially gradually increased. Can be toxic if taken at too high of a dose and/or if taken for long periods of time. Do not take if elimination channels (Liver, kidney etc.) are deficient.