Burdock - Arctium Lappa
Burdock, Arctium lappa, is native to Europe & Asia but has naturalized throughout temperate climates worldwide. It is a biennial. All parts of the plant can be used. It was used as a bittering agent in beer.
The key constituents of burdock are bitter glycosides (arctiopicrin), flavonoids (arctiin) as smooth muscle relaxant), tannins, polyacetylenes (antibiotic action from the fresh roots), volatile oils, inulin (up to 45%), and sesquiterpenes. It is strongly anti-inflammatory.
Burdock is a traditional remedy for gout, fever & kidney stones. It is diuretic, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-tumor. It is used on boils, acne, and wrinkles. In Traditional Chinese Medicine burdock is a cleansing, detoxifying herb and the seeds are used for fever and flu viruses.1 North American indigenous peoples used it as a blood purifier and pain killer. Studies have shown it inhibits human immunodeficiency virus and Japanese encephalitis virus, influenza A, Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.1
Burdock combines well with dandelion. Leaves are used for tea, and poultice. Roots are used for tea, tincture and decoction, seeds for acne wash infusion.
Dosing: Tincture 20 drops in water 2-3 x day for up to 4 weeks.
To make a decoction use 2 tsp burdock root and 5 tsp dandelion root. Boil then simmer for one hour in 2 liters of water and strain. Drink 2 cups per day. The leaves can be used to make tea or a poultice. I recommend castor oil for poultices.
Possible Side Effects: Allergy, skin rash
Contraindications: Consult your physician if you are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness.
1Gao, Q., Yang, M. & Zuo, Z. Overview of the anti-inflammatory effects, pharmacokinetic properties and clinical efficacies of arctigenin and arctiin from Arctium lappa L. Acta Pharmacol Sin 39, 787–801 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2018.32