Burdock Health Dictionary

Arctium lappa. N.O. Compositae.

Synonym: Hill, Lappa, Thorny Burr.

Habitat; This large plant, which grows to a height of five feet, is very commonly met along roadsides and in all waste places—indeed, wherever we see nettles, there also will be found Burdock.

Features ? Stout stems with wide spreading branches carrying alternately fleshy, heart-shaped leaves. The purple flowers bloom luxuriously in July and August, and the bristly burs or bracts adhere lightly to the clothes and coats of animals. The root is thick, brownish-grey externally, whitish inside. Roots and seeds have a sweetish, slimy taste, the leaves and stems being bitter.

Part used ? Root, seeds and the herb itself are used.

Action: Possesses alterative, diuretic and diaphoretic qualities, the root and herb

being predominantly alterative, while the seeds affect more specifically the kidneys.

The liquid from 1 ounce of the root boiled in 1^ pints of water simmered down to 1 pint, is taken four times daily in wineglass doses for many forms of skin trouble, noticeably boils, carbuncles and similar eruptions. Obstinate cases of eczema and even psoriasis have been known to yield to these decoctions of Burdock root, either alone or combined with other remedies.

An excellent lotion may be made by infusing the leaves in the proportion of 1 ounce to 1 pint of water.

Beggar’s buttons. Lappa. Arctium lappa L. French: Bardane. German: Filzklette. Spanish: Bardana. Italian: Lappolone. Parts used: herb, root, seeds.

Constituents: fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, lignans, sesquiterpenes, tannin, mucilage, inulin. Contains iron, sulphur and B-vitamins.

Action. One of the most powerful and reliable blood tonics of herbalism. Antibiotic action of the root against staphylococcus. Adaptogen, alterative, anti-fungal, hepatic, lymphatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, hypoglycaemic, orexigenic, bitter.

Anti-tumour activity reported (Farnsworth, Kiangsu-429)

Uses: Arthritis, gout, rheumatism, boils, styes, seborrhoea, cystitis, anaemia, anorexia nervosa. To lower blood sugar. Skin diseases – especially psoriasis, acne, eczema. To reduce cholesterol level. Measles (Chinese traditional).

Combination 1. Dandelion 2; Burdock root 1; (rheumatism).

Combination 2. Yellow Dock, Red Clover, Burdock, BHP (1983). Inulin, present in the root, of value in diabetes (Krantz & Carr, 1931)

Preparations: Thrice daily. Persistence with low doses is more favourable than larger, over short periods. Some herbalists have observed more favourable results from use of the decoction.

Decoction. Half-1 teaspoon root to each cup water, simmer gently 5 minutes in a closed vessel. Half-1 cup.

Liquid Extract. BHC Vol 1 (root). 1:1, 25 per cent ethanol. Dose: 2-6ml.

Tincture. BHC Vol 1 (root). 1:5, 25 per cent ethanol. Dose: 8-12ml.

Powder. Two 250mg capsules with meals.

Topical. Compress: 2 teaspoons shredded root or powder to two cups water simmered 5 minutes and allowed to stand for 30 minutes; saturate piece of suitable material and apply.

Not used in pregnancy or lactation. 

Arctium lappa

Description: This plant has wavy-edged, arrow-shaped leaves and flower heads in burrlike clusters. It grows up to 2 meters tall, with purple or pink flowers and a large, fleshy root.

Habitat and Distribution: Burdock is found worldwide in the North Temperate Zone. Look for it in open waste areas during the spring and summer.

Edible Parts: Peel the tender leaf stalks and eat them raw or cook them like greens. The roots are also edible boiled or baked.

CAUTION

Do not confuse burdock with rhubarb that has poisonous leaves.

Other Uses: A liquid made from the roots will help to produce sweating and increase

Protection, Healing