Native to Europe and Asia, Burdock (Arctium lappa, A. spp.) is a thistle that is considered both a useful plant and a weed, depending to whom you talk.
As it spreads readily in high-nitrogen soils, it has become invasive in most parts of the world, including North America and Australia.
It is a biennial herbaceous plant that can reach up to 10 feet tall, with large cordiform leaves and globular purple flower heads. After flowering, it forms fruits that are small achenes with attached short pappus hairs that are sharply pointed and bristly, with the potential to cause respiratory and mucous membrane irritation.
Though it has fallen out of popularity, Burdock root is edible and has been enjoyed in Asian cuisines and for a while became popular in the macrobiotic diet due to its good amount of fiber and nutrition.
The young roots can be consumed raw, but the roots are normally cooked or pickled.
The immature flower stalks are also edible and sometimes enjoyed like artichoke, which is a relative of Burdock, by peeling the outer portion and enjoying raw or boiled.
Burdock is a popular herb in both Chinese and Western herbal traditions, although it doesn’t have a lot of clinical substantiation. It is the root portion that is normally used medicinally, though other plant parts also have uses.
Burdock is mostly used for its detoxifying, “blood purifying” or liver supporting purposes, as well as promoting blood circulation.
Its applications are both for internal conditions, like sore throats, infections, diabetes and cancer, as well as topically for skin conditions such as acne eczema and psoriasis.
It is important to note that in contrast to some of the other popular herbs in TCM, such as Ginseng or Reishi, Burdock is relatively very inexpensive and easy to grow—making this a medicine attainable to many.
Through scientific investigation, Burdock has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antiviral activities.
The improvement of acne vulgaris was found in a clinical study using homeopathic Burdock, and another study found Burdock tea to significantly improve the inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Topical application of Burdock extract to skin has shown improvement in the clinical signs of aging skin, including a stimulation of collagen synthesis, as well as for dry and itchy skin.
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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Medicine for the Masses
