BURDOCK ROOT

(Arctium lappa; Lappa minor; COMPOSITAE)

Parts used:

Roots (first year's growth), leaves; seeds; stalk (nutritive).  The root has the most powerful alterative characteristics.

Therapeutic action:

Alterative, tonic, diuretic, diaphoretic, stomachic, aperient, depurative, antiscorbutic, demulcent.

It is one of the best alterative and depurative (blood-purifying) agents in nature but does not nauseate.  Burdock root beneficially influences the skin, soothes the kidneys and relieves congestions of the lymphatic.  It increases the flow of urine and it is a useful agent for removing excess and fatty (adipose) tissue.  It also possesses wholesome nutritive value in the stalk when cut before the flower opens, is stripped of the bitter rind, boiled or used in salads (eat raw with oil and apple-cider vinegar); it has a delicate flavor of asparagus.

Medicinal uses:

Skin troubles, rashes, pimples, boils, scurvy, eczema psoriasis, itch, rheumatism, scrofula, syphilis, leprosy, cancer, gout, pulmonary affections, catarrh, urinary deposits, swellings, hemorrhoids, burns, wounds, eruptions, canker sores, sciatica, gonorrhea, kidney and bladder troubles, colds, fevers, etc.

Preparation:

 Decoction (roots), fluid extract, infusion (leaves), powder, solid extract, tincture.