Burdock as an Herb

(Arctium lappa)

Burdock grows freely throughout England (but rarely in Scotland) on waste ground and around old buildings, by roadsides and in fairly damp places.

Burdock is native to North America, where indigenous people have used it as a food source for centuries. Burdock is also popular in Asia where it is known as gobo.

Medicinal Uses for Burdock

Burdock Root is used to treat skin diseases, boils, fevers, inflammations, hepatitis, swollen glands, some cancers, and fluid retention. The dried root from plants of the first year's growth forms the official drug, but the leaves and fruits (commonly called seeds) are also used.

Burdock is an excellent blood purifier - many say one of the best. This herb helps clear persistent teenage acne if taken for three to four weeks, at the same time using it as an external cleanser on the affected areas. Burdock is also often recommended for external use as a wash for ulcers and scaly skin disorders.

Burdock is combined with dandelion root for a very effective liver cleanser. Combine it with Damiana and Sarsaparilla to strengthen and build the male organs.

Both root and seeds may be taken as a decoction of 1 ounce to 1 1/2 pint of water, boiled down to a pint, in doses of a wineglassful, three or four times a day.

Applied externally as a poultice, the leaves are used for tumours and gouty swellings, and relieve bruises and inflammation. The juice from the leaves can also be applied directly onto wasp and hornet stings for relief.

Native Americans of the Otos tribes used a decoction of the root for pleurisy. Burdock played a part in herbal medicine used by the Meskwaki women for labor and the Flambeau Ojibwe used the root for stomach pain. The Potawatomi used a root tea as a general tonic and blood purifier.

Folklore

It was once a practice of young girls to toss the burrs at the object of their affections; if they stuck, it would prove true love.

Culinary

The leaves and stalks (cut before the flower is open and stripped of their rind) are eaten lightly steamed for their taste and nutritional content. This dish form a delicate vegetable when boiled, similar in flavor to Asparagus. A pinch of baking soda to the boiling water will help break down the fibers and subdue the wild flavor. You can eat cooked burdock on its own with butter and salt. Try combining it with sweeter root vegetables such as carrots and onions.

A tea made of the leaves of Burdock is also used for indigestion. In cases of anorexia, Burdock has been used as an appetite stimulent.

The roots have been roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute; also pounded and added to pancakes or made up like potatoes.

In Russia, Burdock leaves are wrapped around fish and game to season, then cooked bundle fashion in a cooking pit.

There is a variety of Burdock which is sold under the name of Gobo or Japanese Gobo, which is far more suited to culinary purposes than its wild cousin. Since wild burdock can be a harsh herb at times when used medicinally, Gobo is considered a safer alternative and far more suited to the home garden.

Native Americans made candy from burdock root by boiling it in maple syrup and letting it dry.

Burdock was eaten as spring greens by the Iroquois, who also cooked the roots for soup and dried and stored them for winter use.

Burdock Cream. Top potatoes and vegetables with the following: Simmer 1/2 cup shredded root in 1 cup apple cider vinegar for 5 minutes; place in blender and process; then add 1/2 cup yogurt.

Cautions

Insulin dosage needs to be monitored if taking Burdock.

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.