Back to basics
Burdock is a well known herb in both Chinese and Western herbalism. It is found in most herbal formulas and recipes related to treating chronic toxicity. Burdock has a strong affinity for the elimination channels of the body: liver, colon, kidneys, lungs, and skin; stimulating waste elimination.
First mentions of Burdock are found in the writings of William Shakespeare and of an herbalist from London named John Gerard. It is worthy of note that Shakespeare and Gerard were once neighbors, so it is unclear who introduced the herb to the other. Shakespeare, however, referred to the herb as a nuisance when a character in his book “As You Like It” mentioned it being caught in their petticoats. Gerard, on the other hand subscribed to its therapeutic value.
Historically, Burdock has a reputation as a “blood purifier”. Herbalists all over the world hold Burdock in high esteem as a good source of nutrients that help build the body. Thus, the term “alterative”. As a matter of fact it is known as one of the best blood purifiers of all herbs. While many Native American tribes used Burdock for skin ailments, the Chinese used it to lower blood sugar levels, to treat coughs, colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, measles, sores and abscesses. Fourteenth century Europeans pounded it in wine for the treatment of leprosy.
Chopped Burdock root
Though Burdock possesses many notable properties, it is its blood purifying property that has earned it great respect among herbalists and medical researchers alike. Burdock is an excellent blood purifier and cleanser; it very speedily removes long-term impurities from the blood.
This makes it a constant in all blood cleansing and detoxification problems, and therefore useful in the treatment of skin disorders, kidney problems, arthritis, and gout, and to clear the blood of harmful acids due to calcification deposits.
Burdock is especially stimulating to the kidneys, reducing swelling around the joints and increasing the flow of urine. It is also used as an antidote for acute poisoning such as venom from snake bites. It is a strong liver purifier found to be effective in reducing toxins in the body, and thus useful for treating allergies and respiratory congestion.
Burdock is also a hormone balancing herb. This makes it very common in treating glandular problems. It stimulates the pituitary gland helping to release protein in proper amounts, thus maintaining hormonal balance for a healthy body. Due to this action it comes highly recommended during pregnancies. It also helps prevent water retention and jaundice in babies. It has been used in Europe to remedy prolapsed and displaced uterus.
Skin conditions in the likes of abscess, boils, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and skin tumors (benign) all succumb to Burdock’s therapeutic power. Its greatest manifestation of success is when used as a poultice on skin cancer.
German as well as Japanese research suggests the active constituent; polyacetylene in Burdock possesses antibiotic qualities. Also, the presence of certain lactones buttresses the herb’s therapeutic benefits with antibacterial activity, and it has been shown to provide antifungal, diuretic, and hypoglycemic properties. This makes it useful in treating certain urinary tract infection.
The presence of arctiopicrin, a glycoside is responsible for Burdock’s liver and gallbladder affinity and improvement. Its antispasmodic effects are due to the presence of the flavonoids arctiin. Burdock has also been shown to provide mild estrogenic effects, making some researchers claiming it possesses anti-tumor action.
Burdock capsules contain its root powder.
Other constituents of the “Turkey burrseed” include chromium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, and zinc. Trace amounts of copper, manganese, and vitamins B1, B6, B12, and E.
It is also high in minerals which helps replace minerals lost during cleansing. It also contains volatile oils that promote sweating and urine flow, making it an aid in eliminating toxins from the body via the colon kidneys and skin. The Chinese term it a calmer of nervous energy because of this.
Fresh Burdock roots are eaten for food in some parts of China. The stalks are sometimes eaten raw in salads, or cooked in some dishes. Advocates of this practice claim it tastes similar to asparagus. I will take their word for it!