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Arctium
lappa
The
species name lappa is thought to come from the word to mean 'burr' in Latin, and
'to seize' in Greek. Burdock is native to Asia and Europe
and has long been considered a medicinal herb. Burdock is one of the foremost detoxifying herbs in both Chinese and Western
herbal medicine. The dried root of one year old plants is the official herb, but the leaves and fruits can also be used.
It is used to treat conditions caused by an 'overload' of toxins, such as throat and other infections, boils, rashes and other skin problems.
In traditional herbal texts, burdock root is described as a “blood purifier” or “alterative,” and was believed to clear the
bloodstream of toxins. The root is thought to be particularly good at helping to eliminate heavy metals from the body.
British
herbalists value burdock in treating all categories of liver toxicity
conditions, including eczema, psoriasis and boils. They consider it to
be a specific for eruptions of the head, face and neck. Recent
research has shown that burdock is anti-inflammatory, and inhibits free
radicals. Chinese herbalists recommend burdock for colds, sore throats, tonsillitis,
measles, and as a mild laxative. It is eaten as a vegetable in Japan, where it is known as "gobo",
and elsewhere. The plant is part of a North American formula called Essiac which is a
popular treatment for cancer. French herbalists suggest that inulin, a
starch found in the seeds and which is easily digestible, is useful to
lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Burdock
root and fruit also have the ability to mildly lower blood sugar.
The plant is antibacterial,
antifungal, carminative. It has soothing, mucilaginous properties and is
said to be one of the most certain cures for many types of skin
diseases, burns & bruises. It is used in the treatment of herpes,
eczema, acne, impetigo, ringworm, boils & bites.
The roots are
alterative, aperient, blood purifier, cholagogue, depurative,
diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic. The
seed is alterative, antiphlogistic, depurative, diaphoretic and
diuretic. The crushed seed is poulticed onto bruises. The leaves are
poulticed onto burns, ulcers and sores.
While many find the adherence of the
brown seed-burrs menacing, it was of great technical interest to the Swiss
inventor, George de Mestral. He noted the hundreds of tiny hooks that enabled
the seed to hold onto an object. After experimenting with plastic models,
designed to mimic the burrs action, George eventually presented the world with
that indispensable, self-adhesive, fastener: Velcro.
Care:
If harvesting the seed in any quantity, tiny hairs
from the seeds can be inhaled and these are toxic.
DISCLAIMER: This
page is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for
accurate diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care professional. The
author is neither a chemist nor an herbalist and has had no medical training
whatsoever. The content herein is the product of research, not practical
experience. |
