Burdock
- Arctium lappa L.
- Compositae
- Composite family
Common Names
 Bardana
Beggar's
Buttons
Burdock
Burrs
Burr
Seed
Burrs
Cocklebur
Clodbur
Clotbur
Clothburr
Grass
burdock
Great
burdock
Hardock
Hareburr
Hurrburr
Lappa
Lappa
minor
Niu
bang (Chinese name)
Personata
Thorny
burr
Turkey
burrseed
Parts Usually Used
Roots, leaves and seeds, the whole plant
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Burdock is a biennial plant 2-9 feet tall; the root is long, fleshy,
gray-brown outside, and whitish inside. In its second year, the plant
grows a furrowed, reddish, pithy stem with woolly branches. During
the first year burdock has only basal leaves. Both basal and stem
leaves are oblong-cordate, heart-shaped, green and hairy on top and
downy gray beneath. The purple, thistle-like flowers, 1-1 1/2 inches
across, appear in corymbose clusters from July to September. The flowers
are long-stalked, in flat-topped clusters. Seedpods (familiar burrs)
stick to clothing.
Common Burdock (Arctium minus) is smaller than A. lappa; 2-5 feet.
Leaf stems hollow, not furrowed. Flowers smaller (3/4 inch across)
without stalks or short stalked; July to Oct. Used extensively by
Native Americans. The root and seed have a sweetish, slimy taste,
the leaves and stems are bitter.
Where Found
Found in the northern United States and in Europe, along fences,
walls, and roadsides, in waste places, and around populated areas.
A wide-spread Eurasian weed used in traditional medicine in China,
Japan, Europe, and North America.
Medicinal Properties
Alterative, antipyretic, aperient, cholagogue, demulcent, diaphoretic,
diuretic, tonic
Biochemical Information
Arctin, biotin, copper, inulin, volitile oils, sulfur, tannins, iron,
manganese, vitamins B1, B6, B12, and E, and zinc.
Seeds contain essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B2
Legends, Myths and Stories
This easily-grown plant is quite invasive. Was used as a blood purifier
as far back as Shakespeare's time; it is now used as a root vegetable,
it has a taste that combines potatoes and celery.
Once widely used in cleansing remedies, burdock is familiar for its
hooked burrs, which readily attach themselves to clothing. This property
is reflected in the herb's botanical name, from the Greek arktos,
or bear, suggesting rough-coated fruits, and lappa, to seize. Burdock
was a traditional blood purifier, often combined in fold brews such
as dandelion and burdock wine, and it was once popular for indigestion.
In China, the seeds, niu bang zi, are used to dispel "wind and heat
evils"; they also lower blood sugar levels.
Sometimes planted in Japan, where it has been improved by cultivation
for its enlarged parsnip-like roots, which are eaten as a boiled vegetable.
Sometimes planted in Japan, where it has been improved by cultivation
for its enlarged parsnip-like roots, which are eaten as a boiled vegetable.
Burdock is a common European weed; was brought to America as a medicinal
plant. It soon became widely scattered, because the burdock seeds
attached themselves to colonists' breeches, clothes and the fur of
animals. Millspaugh wrote, "the herb is so rank that man, the jackass,
and the caterpillar are the only animals that will eat it."
Uses
Helps skin disorders, diaper
rash, cradle cap, gout. Purifies
the blood, restores liver and gallbladder function, kidney, and
bladder disorders, syphilis,
gonorrhea, diabetes.
Relives inflammation.
This herb is not narcotic.
The decoction or infusion of burdock root is aperient, but not for
all individuals; for some it may even be constipative.
Both the tea and the tincture can be used for stomach ailments. Burdock
is also said to neutralize and eliminate poisons in the system. The
leaves are not generally used but do contain a substance that stimulates
the secretion of bile. If they are to be used for liver problems,
use fresh leaves only. A decoction of leaves also makes a good wash
for sores and may be helpful
for acne. The fresh, bruised leaves
are sometimes used as a remedy for poison oak or poison ivy. The seeds
contain an oil that is used medically, but only with medical supervision.
Traditionally, root tea (2 oz. dried root in 1 qt. water) is used
as a "blood purifier", diuretic, stimulates bile secretion, sweating,
gout, liver and kidney ailments,
nephritis, hypertension,
edema, rheumatism, lumbago.
Nicholas Culpeper, the famous 17th century herbalist, wrote that it
"helpeth those that are bit by a mad dog."
In China, a tea of leafy branches was used for vertigo, rheumatism,
swollen lymph glands,
impotence, and (in tea mixed
with brown sugar) for measles.
Externally, used as a wash for hives,
eczema, and other skin eruptions.
Seeds are diuretic; used for abscesses,
canker sores, sore
throats, fever, insect
and snake bites, flu,
gonorrhea, leprosy, scrofula,
sciatica, backache; once used
to treat scarlet fever, smallpox, and scrofula. Crushed seeds poulticed
on bruises. Leaves poulticed on burns,
wounds, ringworm,
ulcers, styes, boils,
sores. Japanese studies suggest
roots contain compounds that may curb mutations (and hence cancer?).
Formulas or Dosages
Collect the root in the spring or fall of the second year; when the
plant has a stem. The root may be used fresh or dried.
Burdock poultice: it is good on old skin ulcers (SEE ULCERS)
and sores (SEE SORES). Make the poultice of the root, adding a tsp.
of salt; it eases the pain of a wound caused by the bite of a dog.
The leaves wilted by the fire, and applied to an external injury,
will stop inflammation and ease pain; pounded and put on to a bruise
or sprain, it will give immediate relief.
Decoction: use 1 tsp. root with 1 cup cold water. Let stand
for 5 hours, then bring to a boil. Take 1 cup a day.
Tincture: Take 10-25 drops, in water, camomile tea, or regular
tea, 3-4 times a day.
Juice: Grate the fresh root and add half again as much water.
Squeeze out the liquid. Drink 1 cup a day, a mouthful at a time.
Nutrient Content
Iron, manganese, vitamins B1, B6, B12, and E, and zinc.
How Sold
Juice: Grate the fresh root and add half again as much water.
Squeeze out the liquid. Drink 1 cup a day, a mouthful at a time.
Powder: use 1/2 tsp. twice daily in a glass of water.
Capsules: take 1 to 3 daily.
Extract: mix 10 to 25 drops of extract in liquid daily.
Warning
Leaf hairs may irritate skin. Do not confuse leaves with the toxic
leaves of Rhubarb. Care should be taken if anemia exists.
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