Herbs to Know: Burdock

Common Name(s): Burdock, Common Burdock
Scientific/Latin Name: Arctium minus

Place of Origin: Europe & Northern Asia

Commonly thought of: As a weed or a vegetable

Parts Used: Burdock roots, young shoots, peeled stalks, and dried seeds

Past Uses: Traditionally used as a blood purifier, a diuretic, and a topical remedy for skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Recorded to have been used to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS. In chinese medicine often used for sore throats and colds.

Active Constituents: consists primarily of carbohydrates, volatile oils, plant sterols, tannins, and fatty oils; contains phenolic acids, quercetin and luteolin, powerful antioxidants.

Medicinal uses: Eaten as a vegetable in Japan, containing a natural dietary fiber. Used to improve digestion, contains prebiotics and antioxidant activity. Believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. Commonly used as a diuretic.

Usually used as: Capsules, Dried Root, Tincture, Fluid Extract, Topically (On skin) or Tea

Dosages:
"Pediatric
There are no known scientific reports on the pediatric use of burdock, so you should only give burdock to children under the supervision of a doctor.
Adult

• Capsules: 1 - 2 g 3 times per day
• Dried root: steep 2 - 6 grams in 150 mL (2/3 of a cup) in boiling water for 10 - 15 minutes and then strain and drink 3 times a day; may soak a cloth in the liquid and, once cooled, wrap the cloth around affected skin area or wound (known as a poultice). Do not use on open wounds.
• Tincture (1:5): 30 - 60 drops, once daily. Typically, burdock is combined in tincture form with other herbs. The tincture may also be applied to a cloth and wrapped around affected skin area or wound.
• Fluid extract (1:1): 30 - 60 drops, 2 times a day
• Tea: 2 - 6 grams steeped in 500 mL water (about 2 cups), 3 times per day

Topical preparations of burdock are also used for skin problems (such as eczema) and wounds."
 - University of Maryland Medical Center


Growing/Wildcrafting: Not recommended to be wild crafted as the root resembles very closely to that of Deadly Nightshade, a very poisonous plant. It might be more advisable to get seeds or manufactured product from a respectable dealer.

Cautions: Should not be taken by pregnant women as it can cause damage to the fetus. If you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or daisies you might have an allergic reaction to burdock including but not limited to dermatitis. Do not take if dehydrated as it can dehydrate you further. If buying burdock, make sure it is from a reputable dealer, as the root resembles that of poisonous plants such as a belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) and may be contaminated. It is not advised to collect burdock in the wild.

Drug Interactions: May lower blood sugar so not advisable to take with drugs for diabetes or any blood thinning drugs as it might slow blood clotting. Burdock has diuretic (increased urination) properties so it is not advised to take it with other diuretics (Water Pills).

Extra Notes: (Arctium) comes from the greek arktos meaning bear, which is an allusion to the roughness of the burs. 
"In general the plant is considered a noxious weed not only because of its ability to disperse by attaching itself to mammals and birds, but because of the problems it creates for livestock. The burs can be cause irritation if they cling to the eyes, throught, mouth, or the inside of the stomach. In some cases the seeds must be surgically removed." 
-- The Wild Classroom -- Website Link
Burdock seeds were Swiss inventor Georges de Mestral’s inspiration for Velcro.

Where to find Recipes:
Burdock Herbal Recipes -- Annie's Remedy
"Here is my recipe for Burdock Root Herbal Soup For Detoxification
Ingredients –
* 2 whole fresh Burdock Roots (each about 2 ft long as the ones found here are quite thin) – peeled, washed and cut into slices or chunks
* 1 cup dried Red Dates
* 1/2 cup dried Wolfberries
* 500 gm pork ribs, cut into 2-inch lengths
* 2 litres water

Method –
Bring all ingredients to a boil. Remove any scum that floats to the surface. Lower heat and simmer for 4 hours (6-8 hours if using a slow cooker). Season to taste with some salt and white pepper"
--Happy Home Maker88 -- Website Link 
38 Burdock Recipes -- Cookpad (Non Herbal) 
"Burdock Root Herbal Infusion
What you’ll need:

• A pint (16 oz.), sealable mason/preserving jar (preferably made of glass) 
• 1 ounce of cut & sifted Burdock root 
• Pot or electric water boiler to bring 16 fl. oz. of water to a boil

Instructions:

1. Place plant material into pint jar and pour 16. fl. oz. of boiling water into jar (make sure all plant material is submerged)
2. Give content a good stir, then cap and seal the jar
3. Allow plant material to infuse for at least 8 hours or overnight 
4. Strain off plant material and discard (compost if possible); the infusion is now ready for serving

Standard usage:
Drink 16 oz. (up to 32 oz., if desired) throughout the day. You can drink this nourishing infusion daily; this infusion should be consumed within 36 hours at most."
--Grapegate.com --Website Link

How to make Preparations:
"On the outside, burdock root features dark brown "bark like" color and has woody texture. Inside it features crunchy, milky-white fibrous flesh, which may turn gray upon exposure to air. To avoid this while cutting, drop burdock slices/pieces/julienne into lemon water to prevent oxidation.
To prepare; wash the entire length of the taproot thoroughly in cold water and scrape off outer skin using a paring knife. Burdock root is tough and should be tenderized before its use in cooking. To soften, cook the root in a boiling water with a single teaspoonful of baking soda added to a liter of water. Thus, the prepared root is then can be eaten as is, or added to salads, soups, etc"
-Nutrition and You

Sources:
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Burdock." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 7 May 2013. Web. 19 June 2015.-- Website Link

Rudrappa, Umesh. "Burdock Root Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits." Nutrition And You.com. Nutrtion And You, n.d. Web. 19 June 2015.--Website Link

This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").

~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)