Burdock

Arctium lappa

Burdock consists of the dried, first-year root of great burdock, Arctium lappa L., or common burdock, Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. (family Asteraceae). The former species is native to Europe but has been naturalized in the United States; the latter is the chief American source of the root. Both are large, coarse biennial herbs with hooked bracts or burrs that adhere to clothing or animal fur. A. lappa may attain a height of nine feet, but A. minus is limited to about five feet.

Recommended primarily as a blood purifier, burdock has also been used to treat various chronic skin conditions, including psoriasis and acne. Burdock is also said to have diuretic and diaphoretic properties. None of these purported effects has been verified by clinical trials, nor have chemical studies of the root revealed the presence of active principles that might account for any such effects. Burdock does contain large amounts of carbohydrate in the form of inulin, together with small amounts of volatile oil, fatty oil, sucrose, resin, tannin, and the like. One interesting study did reveal the presence of some fourteen different polyacetylene compounds in the fresh root, two of which possessed bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties. However, only traces of them were found in the dried, commercial drug. Mild antibiotic and cholagogic activity have been shown in root extracts. A study on the roots and leaves shows hypoglycemic activity and an increased carbohydrate tolerance in animal models. Antimutagenic activity has been demonstrated in animal models.

Commercial samples of burdock are prone to adulteration with the root of belladonna, or deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna L.). The roots of these plants closely resemble each other, and confusion often occurs when burdock is being harvested. Most burdock originates in Eastern Europe under circumstances in which strict quality control is lacking. At first, cases of atropine poisoning resulting from drinking burdock tea were attributed to the toxic effects of burdock itself. Then, as additional cases were reported, both in the United States and in Europe, it became clear that the toxicity was the result of contamination with belladonna root.

In view of this potential hazard, it seems reasonable to insist that marketers of burdock test their product and certify that it is free from belladonna (atropine) contamination prior to sale. Lacking the availability of a product of guaranteed quality, potential users with sufficient botanical knowledge will probably wish to collect the herb themselves. However, despite its long use as a folkloric remedy, no solid evidence exists that burdock exhibits any useful therapeutic activity. The young leaves may be eaten as greens, and the fresh root may have some antimicrobial properties, but the commercial dried root is lacking in confirmed medicinal value.

A great remedy for getting rid of some stubborn kidney and gallstones is to make a burdock-catnip tea. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add 2 tbsp. of chopped, fresh or cut dried root. Reduce to simmer for about 10 minutes, covered. After which, remove from heat and add 3 tsp. chopped or cut fresh or dried catnip herb.
Let steep for 1-1/2 hours. Then strain and to each cup add 1 tsp. lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. pure maple syrup or blackstrap molasses to sweeten. Drink slowly. Exactly 10 minutes later, take orally 1 tbsp. of pure virgin olive oil.
Repeat this regimen 3 times each day. The tea soothes irritated tissues and helps to break up or partially dissolve the stones, while the oil acts as a lubricant to remove them from the body more easily. It's very important that no greasy, fried foods, soft drinks, refined carbohydrates like white flour or white sugar products or red meat and poultry be consumed during this treatment; otherwise, absolute and complete success cannot be fully guaranteed.
After taking the last cup of tea and spoonful of oil at night just before retiring, be sure to sleep on your right side with a pillow underneath your armpit. This resting posture, some claim, seems to expedite the removal of stones from the body more quickly.

Burdock is a wonderful blood cleanser and detoxifying remedy, hastening the elimination of toxins from the body. The roots, leaves and seeds are all bitter, stimulating digestion and liver action and activating the pancreas. They can be used to strengthen a weak digestion, relieve wind, distension and indigestion and as a mild laxative. Burdock is an effective remedy for bacterial and fungal infections and to help re-establish normal bacteria in the gut. Burdock has mild diuretic properties, aiding elimination of toxins via the urine. Burdock can be used for cystitis, water retention, stones and gravel. Taken as a hot decoction, burdock also helps to clear toxins from the tissues via the skin as it causes sweating. Burdock can be used to bring down a fever and can be taken at the onset of any infection with feverishness. The seeds are effective for treating sore throats, tonsilitis, colds and coughs.  Burdock helps to bring out eruptions and thus speed recovery from infections such as measles and chickenpox. By pushing toxins into the bloodstream, burdock makes an effective remedy for chronic inflammatory conditions such as gout, arthritis and rheumatism. Burdock is excellent for treating skin disease as it improves the action of the sebaceous glands. Burdock also helps to lower blood sugar in diabetics. The root stimulates the uterus, helping to regulate periods and has been used traditionally for prolapse and to give strength before and after childbirth.

The plant's diuretic effect has made it a traditional remedy for gout and kidney stones. It has also been used in rheumatic conditions. Its main use is as an alterative or blood cleanser to remove waste products from the body, and it is employed to treat conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, boils, and other skin complaints. Burdock lowers blood sugar levels, and the arctigenin has been shown to be effective against tumors. The fresh root is thought to have an antibiotic quality, probably due to the polyacetylenes. In China it is used for catarrhal conditions and when there is a fever, cough and sore throat, and in infective diseases such as mumps and the early stages of measles. Burdock also stimulates the digestion and aids the liver, and in China is a remedy for constipation. The Chinese properties are acrid, bitter, and cold.

Other names

• Bardana
• Beggar's Buttons
• Bur
• Burdock Burrs
• Burr Seed
• Cockle Buttons
• Grass Burdock
• Great Burdock
• Hardock
• Hareburr
• Hurrburr
• Lappa
• Lappa Minor
• Niu Bang
• Personata
• Thorny Burr
• Turkey Burrseed

Parts used

Leaves, root, seeds, fruit.

Uses

History - Burdock was a traditional remedy for gout, fevers, and kidney stones. In the 17th century, Culpeper wrote, "The seed is much commended to break the stone and cause it to be expelled by urine."
Cleansing herb Burdock is used in both Western and Chinese herbal medicine as a detoxifying herb. The seeds are used to remove toxins in fevers and infections such as mumps and measles, and the root helps the body to eliminate waste products in chronic skin and arthritic conditions.
Skin problems - Burdock's diuretic, antibiotic, and mildly bitter actions make it helpful for skin disorders, especially where toxicity is a key factor - for example, in acne, boils, abscesses, local skin infections, eczema, and psoriasis.
Combination remedies - Burdock is rarely used on its own in remedies. Burdock is usually mixed with other herbs, such as dandelion, to balance its strong cleansing action.

Habitat & cultivation

Native to Europe and Asia, burdock now grows in temperate regions throughout the world, including the US. Burdock is also cultivated in Europe and China and is propagated from seed in spring. The seeds are harvested in summer and the whole plant is dug up in midsummer.

Research

Antibiotic - Studies in Germany (1967) and Japan (1986) showed that the polyacetylenes, especially in the fresh root, have an antibiotic effect.
Other research - Burdock has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and diuretic and hypoglycemic (lowering blood sugar levels) effects. It also appears to have an antitumor action. Arctiin is known to be a smooth muscle relaxant.

Constituents

Burdock contains: Root/Leaves: glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, volatile oil, polyacetylenes, resin, mucilage, inulin, alkaloids, essential oil.
Seeds: essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B2.

How much to take

Traditional herbalists recommend 2-4 ml of burdock root tincture per day. For the dried root preparation in capsule form, the common amount to take is 1-2 grams three times per day. Many herbal preparations will combine burdock root with other alterative herbs, such as yellow dock, red clover, or cleavers.

Side effects

Use of burdock root in the dosages listed here is generally safe. However, burdock root in large quantities may stimulate the uterus and therefore should be used with caution during pregnancy.

Applications

ROOT:

DECOCTION - Use for skin disorders, especially persistent boils, sores, and dry, scaling eczema.

TINCTURE - Use in combination with arthritic, digestive herbs such as yellow dock to detoxify the system and stimulate the digestion; also for urinary stones and gravel.

POULTICE - Apply to skin sores and leg ulcers.

WASH - Use the decoction for acne and fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm.

LEAVES:

INFUSION - Use for indigestion (take in half-cup doses before meals) and as a mild digestive stimulant.

POULTICE - Apply to bruises and skin inflammations, including acne.

INFUSED OIL - Make by the hot infusion method, and use for varicose ulcers.

SEEDS:

DECOCTION - Take for feverish colds  with sore throat and cough. Use with heartsease for skin eruptions.

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