Description: It grows freely throughout England (though rarely in Scotland) on waste ground and about old buildings, by roadsides and in fairly damp places.
The Burdock, the only British member of its genus, belongs to the Thistle group of the great order, Compositae .
A stout handsome plant, with large, wavy leaves and round heads of purple flowers. It is enclosed in a globular involucre of long stiff scales with hooked tips, the scales being also often interwoven with a white, cottony substance.
The whole plant is a dull, pale green, the stem about 3 to 4 feet and branched, rising from a biennial root. The lower leaves are very large, on long, solid foot-stalks, furrowed above, frequently more than a foot long heart-shaped and of a grey colour on their under surfaces from the mass of fine down with which they are covered. The upper leaves are much smaller, more egg-shaped in form and not so densely clothed beneath with the grey down.
The plant varies considerably in appearance, and by some botanists various subspecies, or even separate species, have been described, the variations being according to the size of the flower-heads and of the whole plant, the abundance of the whitish cottonlike substance that is sometimes found on the involucres, or the absence of it, the length of the flower-stalks, etc.
The flower-heads are found expanded during the latter part of the summer and well into the autumn: all the florets are tubular, the stamens dark purple and the styles whitish. The plant owes its dissemination greatly to the little hooked prickles of its involucre, which adhere to everything with which they come in contact, and by attaching themselves to coats of animals are often carried to a distance.
In traditional herbal texts, burdock root is described as a blood purifier or alterative. Burdock root was believed to clear the bloodstream of toxins. It was used both internally and externally for eczema and psoriasis as well as to treat painful joints and as a diuretic. In traditional Chinese medicine, burdock root in combination with other herbs is used to treat sore throats, tonsillitis, colds, and even measles. It is eaten as a vegetable in Japan and elsewhere. Burdock root has recently become popular as part of a tea to treat cancer. To date, only minimal research has substantiated this application.
Derived from the root or seeds of the plant. Historically, burdock has been used as a diuretic and to lower blood sugar. It is used to treat anorexia, psoriasis, acne, gout, cancer and HIV, although no published clinical studies have evaluated these claims. Animal studies indicate possible hepatoprotective effects and hypoglycemic effects. Patients should be warned against combining with insulin and hypoglycemics. Pregnant or nursing women should not consume. Cases of burdock tea contaminated with belladonna alkaloids have been reported in United States. Product should be certified against contamination and labeled accordingly.
- Acids: Acetic, butyric, caffeic, chlorogenic, trans-2-hexenoic, isovaleric, lauric, linoleic, propionic, stearic acid
- Aldehydes: Acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde
- Carbohydrates: Inulin, mucilage, pectin
- Flavonols: Kaempferol, quercetin
- Polyacetylenes
- Other constituents: Volatile oils, sesquiterpene lactone (arctiopicrin), bitters (lappatin), phytosterols (sitosterol and stigmasterol), tannins
Burdock root contains high amounts of inulin and mucilage. This may explain its soothing effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Bitter constituents in the root may also explain the traditional use of burdock to improve digestion. It also contains polyacetylenes that have been shown to have anti-microbial activity.
Burdock root and fruit also have the ability to slightly lower blood sugar (hypoglycemic effect). Even though test-tube and animal studies have indicated some anti-tumor activity for burdock root, these results have not been duplicated in human studies.
Properties: Antibiotic, antifungal, diaphoretic, diuretic, mild laxative, antipyretic
UsesBeneficial in treating: acne, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis.
A root decoction of burdock has been reported useful in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, and dropsy. In Japan, the tender leaf stalks and roots are boiled twice to remove the tough fibers and then eaten. It is a diuretic without the side effects such as irritation and nausea. Externally, the leaves have been applied for benign skin tumors and in the treatment of knee joint swellings unresponsive to other medicines. Burdock poultices have been used in the treatment of gout, severe bloody bruises and burns.
Recent scientific experiments have shown that burdock root extracts is a diuretic and inhibited tumors in animals. Extracts also lowered blood sugar and have estrogenic activity. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The active antibacterial compound is identified as lactone.
The experiments show that burdock has potential in treatment of female complaints, in diabetes, and for bacterial or fungal infection.
Safety Considerations:
Patients allergic to chrysanthemums may exhibit cross-sensitivity to burdock.
Burdock may cause uterine stimulation and should be avoided by pregnant women.
Magical:
Folk Names: Bardana, Beggar's Buttons, Burrseed, Clotbur, Cockleburr, Great Burdock, Happy Major, Hardock, Hurrburr, Personata.
Element: WaterGender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Powers: Protection, Healing.
Uses: Cast around the home to ward off negativity. Add to protection incense and use in such spells. String on red thread and wear for protection against evil and negativity.