Herbs - Burdock - Ailments / Situations Where Used

The root of the plant is used as a bitter tonic to improve digestion and relieve bloatedness and gastric upset. Thus, Burdock root aids the appetite. It also increases the flow of bile and has a mild laxative effect.

Burdock helps promotes overall homeostasis and removes systemic imbalances of the skin, including psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff. Burdock relieves the kidneys, influences the skin, and supports the lymphatic system. It helps remove any build-up of toxins caused by skin, digestive, and arthritic conditions.

Burdock contains the anti-cancer compound arctigenen which has a marked anti-tumour effect and helps decrease damage to cells exposed to toxic chemicals. It also contains polyacetylenes that destroy bacteria and fungi.

Externally, a poultice of the roots or leaves is used for skin conditions, sores and inflammations. As Mrs. Grieve wrote, "The burdock leaves are cooling and moderately drying, whereby good for old ulcers and sores.

The seeds of burdock are a wonderful diuretic and are used in bladder and kidney inflammations. They clear the kidneys of uric acid and excess waste and have a wonderfully soothing effect on the nerves. In addition, the seeds apparently lower blood sugar levels and boost the immune system.

Combined with sunflower seeds, this infusion has a wonderful influence on the sebaceous glands (glands that secrete sebum, which helps keep hair and skin soft). This explains their usefulness in most dry skin conditions.

Burdock contains volatile oils that, when ingested, are eliminated through the sudorific (sweat) glands carrying toxins with them. Burdock is high in minerals, especially iron, which helps build and nourish the blood. In China, it is used for colds accompanied by a sore throat and unproductive cough, and to eliminate heat (yang) conditions. In Japan, the root is eaten as a vegetable known as Gobo.