B U R D O C K This is one of my favourite herbs in that it has so many uses when it comes to the common cold and flu, including measles, chickenpox and being a great anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. All my cold/flu, asthma/lung, cough/sinus remedies all contain Burdock. The dried root of the Burdock species of plants is used to make an herbal remedy known simply as the Burdock. This remedy is actually made from the dried first year root of the great Burdock - botanical name: Arctium lappa L., or from the roots of the common Burdock - botanical name: Arctium minus of the plant family Asteraceae found in the temperate regions of the world. The great Burdock is not grown widely in the United States and has been naturalized in many parts of the country while it is found to be growing in the wild in continental Europe - to which it is native. The common Burdock is the main source of the root for the preparation of the herbal remedy in America. The Burdock species from both areas are hardy and coarse biennial herbs, which can grow quite large, they are characterized by bearing many hooked bracts or the sticky burrs which often cling to animal fur and clothing and are dispersed in this way. The great Burdock - A. lappa is quite large in size and can grow up to nine feet in height, as for the smaller common Burdock, the A. minus - a height of five feet seems to be the maximum size. The remedy called the Burdock has been widely utilized in the treatment of many types of disorders such as various chronic skin conditions affecting individuals, like the common psoriasis and acne - this remedy is also used extensively as a blood purification agent and an internal body cleanser. A diaphoretic ability as well as a diuretic action is attributed to the Burdock and these properties benefit many people affected by urino-genital problems. At the same time, it must be mentioned that even though all these properties are attributed to the plant, they are still to be verified in recorded and established clinical trials, the actual presence of any of these positive effects still needs to be verified in scientific studies. At the same time, the chemical composition of the Burdock under analysis shows comparatively high levels of the carbohydrate inulin, and with this other compounds such as plant based volatile oils, different types of fatty oils, the carbohydrate sucrose, Burdock resin and tannin and other chemicals are also seen. The chemical analysis of the fresh Burdock root during one interesting study showed the presence of at least fourteen different poly-acetylene compounds in the root of the Burdock, bacteriostatic as well as fungistatic properties were displayed by at least two of these isolated chemical compounds from the root tissues of the Burdock. This is in stark contrast to the dried and commercially medicated version of the Burdock which has these chemicals in minuscule trace amounts - the fresh root of the Burdock is to be preferred over the dried product for this reason. Root extracts of the Burdock also display a mild antibiotic and cholagogic activity which are of great benefit in the treatment of certain conditions. The ability of the Burdock to increase the carbohydrate tolerance in animal models is inferred from a detailed study on the compounds present in the roots and leaves, both of which possess some hypo-glycemic activity. Furthermore, the animal model studies also identify the presence of anti-mutagenic activity in the extracts of the Burdock. RESEARCH ~ The antibiotic property of the Burdock root has been identified and confirmed in many laboratory studies carried out on the Burdock plant in Germany - 1967 and in Japan - 1986, these test have identified the poly-acetylenes in the root as being the active antibiotic agents - fresh roots tend to display the strongest antibiotic effects over all. As has already been mentioned in the previous section, fungicidal as well as bactericidal actions are displayed by Burdock based remedies. The herbal remedies made from the Burdock also have distinct diuretic and hypo-glycemic effects on the body - these remedies are capable of lowering the elevated blood sugar levels in many diabetics. An anti-tumour action is also believed to be present in the Burdock, though this has still to be confirmed in studies. A chemical compound called arctiin derived from the Burdock herb is a relaxant on smooth muscles in the body. CONSTITUENTS Burdock contains: Root/Leaves: glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, volatile oil, poly-acetylenes, resin, mucilage, inulin, alkaloids, essential oil. Seeds: essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B2. USUAL DOSAGE ~ Dosage recommendations differ from one traditional herbalist to the other, usually most herbalists will suggest taking 2-4 ml of the Burdock herbal root tincture as a single dose daily during treatment. Dosages for the dried herbal root preparation which come in the form of capsules also differ, in this case the normal dose can be about 1-2 grams of the herb taken thrice daily during the duration of the treatment. Combinations of the Burdock root with different alterative herbs are also found in many herbal medications, thus Burdock is often combined with other beneficial herbs including yellow dock, red clover, or cleavers Drinking a combination catnip and Burdock based herbal tea is a very effective remedy to eliminate stubborn kidney stones and gallstones affecting a person. To prepare this combination herbal drink, boil four cups of water and then add two tablespoon. of finely chopped and fresh Burdock, if this is not available, and then the diced dried root may be used. Let the herb steep into the boiling water for sometime, and then reduce the heat in the stove to let the herbs simmer for about ten minutes, keep the pot covered with a lid as it is being heated. At this time, three teaspoons of the finely chopped and fresh or the diced dried catnip herb can now be added to the mixture immediately following the removal of the pot from the source of heat. The dried catnip must be allowed to steep in the liquid for about one and a half hours till the essence from the herb begins to seep into the drink. Following this, the liquid can be strained into cups using a good mesh and to each cup of the stained herbal decoction, must be added one teaspoon lemon juice followed by half a teaspoon pure maple syrup to sweeten the herbal liquid, the herbal drink can also be sweetened using the blackstrap molasses if maple syrup is not available. The herbal drink so prepared must always be drunk slowly or sipped in small amounts for a long time. Every dose of the herbal Burdock and catnip drink must be followed exactly ten minutes later, by an oral dose of 1 tablespoon pure virgin olive oil. The same dosage regimen must be repeated at least thrice every day of the treatment period. Irritated tissues within the body are soothed and alleviated by the herbal Burdock and catnip tea, at the same time it enables the disintegration and elimination of toxins and partially dissolves internal stones, a lubricating action is provided by the secondary dose of the virgin olive oil and the dissolved stones are eliminated easily from the body due to this action. During the period of treatment, care should be taken regarding the diet, and greasy or fried foods, all kinds of carbonated soft drinks, all refined carbohydrates such as commonly used white flour and white sugar products must be avoided, it is also important to avoid all red meat and poultry till treatment is over. If this dietary elimination of some foods is not undertaken during the treatment period, then the chances of total and complete success may not become a reality and cannot be guaranteed for the patient. Patients must sleep on the right side of their bodies at night, once they have finished consuming the last cup of herbal tea and spoonful of olive oil for the day, lie down on the right side with a pillow underneath the armpit for support and then go to sleep. The removal and elimination of stones from the body is eased and hasten by taking this resting posture according to some traditional experts. SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS ~ Side effects though rare are not unknown, and as far as the use of the Burdock root remedies in the dosages stated are concerned - they will pose no problems or side effects. At the same time, caution is advised on the use of the Burdock by women during pregnancy as taking very large quantities of the Burdock root can actively stimulate the uterus and create a multitude of problems for the woman concerned. HOW IT WORKS IN THE BODY ~ Traditional treatment of kidney stones and gout, has been carried out utilizing the effective and very strong diuretic effect possessed by the plant; Burdock remains a standard remedy for such ailments in many traditional system of medications around the world. Aside from these disorders, different rheumatic conditions are also usually treated using the Burdock. The Burdock is used extensively in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, boils and many different skin ailments affecting people. The Burdock possess strong alterative or blood cleansing properties that aid in the quick and rapid removal of waste products arising within the body as a result of metabolic processes. The arctigenin of the Burdock is known to be very effective against malignant and benign tumors in the body, and the Burdock is also known to rapidly lower the elevated blood sugar levels in the body. The presence of the polyacetylenes in the fresh root of Burdock is believed to endow the plant with a very strong antibiotic quality, which is very useful in the rapid treatment of infections in the body. The Burdock is extensively used in the Republic of China to treat various catarrhal disorders and it also finds use in the treatment of persistent fevers, hacking coughs and long term sore throat. The Chinese also use the Burdock to treat different infective diseases such as the mumps and as an early medication in the initial stages of measles. The performance of the liver is aided by the Burdock, and the herb can also stimulate the digestive system and enables rapid digestion by increasing the production of enzymes within the body. Intestinal constipation is also treated using the Burdock in China. Burdock is attributed with acrid, bitter, and cold properties in the Chinese system of medicine. APPLICATIONS Root: DECOCTION – The root of the Burdock can be made into a herbal decoction, this remedy is extensively used as a topical herbal ointment to treat various skin disorders in people, these disorders include different sores, dry scaly eczema and particularly the very persistent types of boils. Repeated use of the herbal remedy over a long period of time will ensure that the conditions get treated soon. TINCTURE – The root of the Burdock is also used to prepare a herbal tincture and this is often combined with various herbs possessing anti-arthritic and digestive qualities, these herbs include the yellow dock, a herb that aids in the detoxification of the entire system and helps in stimulating the digestive system, this herbal combination remedy is also useful in the treatment of urinary stones and the transport of ingested gravel out of the system. POULTICE – The Burdock root can also be used in the preparation of an herbal poultice for topical treatment of skin disorders and injuries. This remedy can be applied directly on to sores on the skin and used in treating leg ulcers in people affected by such problems. WASH – The roots of the Burdock can be used in the preparation of a herbal decoction, which can be used as an herbal wash to cleanse areas of skin affected by acne and different types of fungal skin infections including the common fungal disorders, such as athletes foot and the ringworm - both of which normally affect many people. Leaves:INFUSION – The leaves of the Burdock can be used in the preparation of an herbal leaf infusion and this can be used in the treatment of disorders such as indigestion, where half a cup of the infusion can be taken as single doses just before eating food to prevent the occurrence of indigestion. The herbal leaf infusion has also a mild stimulatory action on the digestive system. POULTICE – The leaves of the Burdock can also be prepared into a herbal poultice for topical treatment of different disorders on the body, thus the poultice can be applied to all types of bruises and inflammatory reactions on the skin, this herbal remedy is also very effective against acne and other common skin problems. INFUSED OIL – Leaves of the Burdock can be used to prepare a hot herbal infusion, this remedy is use for the treatment of varicose ulcers in patients. Seeds: DECOCTION – The seeds of the Burdock can be used to make an herbal decoction, this remedy can be used to bring relief from feverish colds, it can be used by people affected with persistent sore throat and coughs. Skin eruptions can also be treated with the seed decoction along with heartsease. SKIN-SAVING POULTICE • 1 Burdock leaf • 1 egg white, beaten until stiff Using a piece of cloth, prepare a poultice by combining the egg white and the crushed Burdock leaf. Replace 2 to 3 times a day. In the case of a recent burn or painful wound, apply this poultice quickly. COMMENTS From Lynne – April -2014 “With your blood stream formula that contains Burdock that I started using in 2010, I managed to eradicate 19 years of eczema in 9 months and in 2014, I am still eczema free. From Harold – August 2012 I was able to eradicate my cats eczema in 3-months by giving her 200mg of Burdock daily.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 01:50:06 +0000
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