| Burdock, latin name Arctium
lappa, is a carrot-like root from the plant Arctium lappa, a biennial herb
grown in China, Europe and the
United States. Employed as a popular folk medicine around
the world, burdock is also consumed as a vegetable in
Japan, where burdock is called gobo. Burdock seeds are crushed to make a popular tincture used
to purify the blood, to treat gout and ulcers, arthritis,
rheumatism,
and cure skin diseases such as acne
and psoriasis. In India and Russia the
burdock root is a popular anti-cancer remedy,
and in China burdock is believed to be an effective aphrodisiac, useful in treating impotence and sterility.
The volatile oils of burdock seed are said to be an
effective diaphoretic, used to inducing sweating as an aid in neutralizing and eliminating toxins from the body.
This activity is widely utilized by herbal practitioner's
in the treatment of liver problems, gallstones,
flu, and to support the kidneys in
filtering acids from the blood stream.
Studies of burdock show that it is high in minerals,
being a good source of iron. Data also indicate that the
burdock root is a good source of the carbohydrate inulin
which can account for 45% of the plant mass. Burdock is
also a good source of essential oils and other compounds
that exhibit bacteriostatic and antifungul activity.
Burdock is an effective diuretic and is considered a very
safe herb and food product, though there have been cases
where the purity of the burdock root has raised some
concern.
Natural healers revere the
Burdock herb as nature's best "blood purifier"
that is, they believe that it rids the body of dangerous
toxins. Ancient herbalists used burdock to treat snake
bites. Nicholas Culpeper, the famous 17th Century
herbalist, wrote that it "helpeth those that are bit
by a mad dog." Today, many herbalists still
recommend the burdock herb for its diuretic action: It
increases the flow of urine and promotes sweating.
Burdock is also reputed to be helpful for the soreness
and swelling caused by arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica,
and lumbago. Used externally, burdock is
considered a major natural treatment for skin problems
such as eczema, psoriasis, and even canker sores.
Burdock is also soothing for hemorrhoids.
Burdock is also know as:
Arctium lappa, Bardana, Beggar's
buttons, Burr seed, Clotbur, Cockle buttons
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