Burdock

Latin name: Arctium lappa (Linne), Arctica minus, Arctium tomentosa, Arctium tomentosum (Mill).

Family: Asteraceae

Folk Names: Arctium, Bardana, Bardana-minor, Bardanae Radix, Bardane, Bardane Comestible, Bardane Géante, Bardane Majeure, Beggar’s Buttons, Burdock Root Extract, Burr Seed, Clotbur, Cocklebur, Cockle Buttons, Edible Burdock, Fox’s Clote, Gobo, Glouteron, Grande Bardane, Great Bur, Great Burdocks, Happy Major, Hardock, Harebur, Herbe aux Teigneux, Herbe du Teigneux, Lappa, Love Leaves, Niubang, Niu Bang Zi, Orelha-de-gigante, Personata, Philanthropium, Rhubarbe du Diable, Thorny Burr.

• 

• 

DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS

Part of the Plant Used

Native to Asia and Europe, burdock is a biennial weed with an edible taproot which may grow up to 6 to 8 feet tall. It features large, wavy, heart-like leaves green on top and softer white tones on the bottom, soft purple colored flowers on prickly bracts which bloom from June to October followed by small burs which harden as they ripen. The plant is coarse in texture and fibrous in nature allowing it to thrive in harsh conditions such as roadsides, vacant lots and fields, undisturbed fields, and sometimes river banks. The brown to greenish to almost black roots of burdock are considered medicinal and food in many cultures. 

CONSTITUENTS

• Lignans (arctigenin, arctiin, Lappaol F & matairesinol)
• Polysaccharides (up to 50% inulin) & Mucilage
• Tannins
• Sulphur containing polyacetylenes
• Volatile oil (terpenoids)
• Sesquiterpene lactones (arctiopicrin)
• Nutrients (vitamins & minerals)
• Flavonoids
• Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

Clinical: Bladder stones, boils, high blood sugar, lymphoma, psoriasis, tumors.

Anticancer (arctiin), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiplatlet, hormonal alterations (estrogenic), immunostimulant, antitussive.

Folk: acne, anorexia, arthritis, backache, bruises, burns, canker sores, cold, constipation, cystitis, dermatitis, dizziness, eczema, flu, gout, hair loss, indigestion, liver problems, hives, kidney stones and other problems, measles, pain, scarlet fever, sciatica, seborrhea, smallpox, sores, stomach problems, syphilis, ulcers, urinary tract infections, warts, wounds.

Energetics: cooling, distributes moisture around the body but ultimately drying.

HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS

None with short term use; although, clients with sensitive skin may need to use caution of a poultice is applied as skin may become irritated. Long term use in high dosages may induce diuretic effects, upset stomach, kidney or liver damage, head and neck cancers (seen in animals), increases or decreases in blood sugar levels, electrolyte imbalances. Antiplatlet effects may be problematic with blood disorders. Do not consume prior to surgery.

Dosage

You can eat Burdock roots and leaves as cooked vegetables, or you can munch on the cooked stalks as you would celery. Other options include 1410 mg of Burdock capsules three times daily, have to 2 teaspoons of liquid root extract daily, 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid seed extract daily, a tea made from 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of chopped or powdered burdock root daily, or 2 spoons to 1 tbsp of a root tincture three times daily. 

0