Burdock—Arctium Lappa
Keywords:
Strength, purity, rootedness, nourishment, balance
Global Names: Gobo (Japanese), Ueong 우엉 (Korean), Niú Bàng 牛蒡 (Chinese), Greater Burdock, Edible Burdock, Lappa, Love Leaves, Philanthropium, Bardana (Spanish), Bardane (French)
The name Arctium is derived from the Greek arctos, “bear,” Lappa is from the Greek “to seize,” and llap is from the Celtic for “Hand.” The word Dock in its common name refers to its large leaves and Burr is from the Latin Burra which means “Wool” alluding to the fruit’s tendency to get caught in fur or wool of passing animals.
Description: Burdock is a large plant, classified in the sunflower or aster family (Asteraceae, formerly Compositae). Originally from Eurasia, it has quickly spread throughout the world. Burdock is biennial, meaning it has a two-year life cycle. It will put out basal leaves in the spring of its first year, and gather energy in its roots – mainly one, long taproot, like a carrot. During the following winter, the basal leaves will die back leaving only the long taproot underground. In their second year, they will start their season by sprouting more basal leaves, and then put out a tall, erect and branching stock, which can reach up to 5 feet in height.
In the late spring or summer of its second year, burdock erupts with small pink or purplish flowers exploding from the top of a spiny ball of hooked bracts, or burs, giving the plant its name. The stickiness of the small hooks was actually the original inspiration for invention of Velcro. The spiny inflorescence itself could be confused, at a glance, with some kind of thistle, which are in the same plant family, however can be told apart easily by its enormous, broad and soft green leaves (not thorny), sometimes reaching up to several feet in length. The leaves are usually cordate (heart-shaped) and darker on the top, with small, soft, whitish hairs on the underside.
The fresh roots have a dark brown, sometimes black, appearance on the outer root bark due to tannin-iron complexes, and they often reach a meter or more in length. Cutting the root open, you’ll find it lighter on the inside, ranging from almost white to light brown, depending on the specimen. The width and color of the roots will depend largely on growth conditions. Wild plants usually don’t get more than a couple centimeters in thickness, but cultivated roots can be much wider and longer, especially in nitrogen-rich soil. (Moya)
Healing Actions: Alterative; “A term used in galenic medicine for those plants which stimulate changes in metabolism and tissue function of a defensive nature in the presence of disease, both chronic and acute...based on the premise that disease symptoms in an otherwise healthy individual are actually the external signs of internal defenses and, as such, should be stimulated and not suppressed.” (Moore, 1979); Blood Purifier; Lymphatic; Stimulates the lymph via Peyer’s patches, and enteric nerves of the gut, possibly leading to an increase in liver function; Hepatoprotective; Burdock is also often invoked as a Diuretic (increasing urine production and elimination) and a mild diaphoretic (sweat-inducer), which could help explain its effectiveness as a cleanser or purifier, potentially eliminating harmful toxins from the body. Burdock seeds contain arctigenin, and arctiin, which show promise, in at least one study, in possessing Anti-carcinogenic and Anti-viral properties; Helps to eliminate potential toxins from the body more effectively. In other words, burdock is an alterative tonic in the truest sense, as it simply assists the body in doing what it naturally does, but more efficiently. One of the most well understood actions of burdock root comes from the benefits of an oligosaccharide called inulin, also found in dandelion, chicory and Jerusalem artichoke roots. Inulin is utilized by the burdock plant itself both as a stable way to store its own sugars. This indigestible sugar has been shown to have marked effects on modulating blood-glucose and insulin levels after a meal; it’s also a very effective prebiotic for gut bacteria, increasing our ability to effectively digest and absorb nutrients from the food we eat. (Moya)
Chinese herbal medicine recognizes burdock’s Demulcent properties found it more valuable as a healer of yang (heat conditions). Its Diaphoretic and Diuretic properties made it valuable for eliminating excess nervous energy, sweating out toxins, and cooling the heat of infections.
The most popular western use of burdock root is as a primary herb in blood purifier formulas. These formulas are based on the traditional concept that diuretic and alkalizing herbs will neutralize acids and toxins and expel them more quickly. The actual mechanism is more likely due to its mucilage preventing the absorption of toxins from the digestive tract and its diuretic effect. By absorbing toxins from ingested food and those produced by intestinal flora, viscous fiber eliminates the source of many of the toxins. This allows the body to heal itself. (Pederson, 1987)
Energetics: Cooling, moistening, nourishing
Planetary: Burdock is associated with feminine energies, Venus and the element of water.
Chakras: Root, Heart, Third eye and Crown
Detoxification Uses: Ideal for detoxification purposes. “For any fast longer than three or four days, Burdock and Yellow Dock are useful adjuncts, helping to maintain peristalsis and prevent blood acidity and ketosis which usually accompanies overambitious fasting.” (Moore, 1979)
Application: Strong decoction of root used in bath to relieve eczema, rashes, cuts, skin irritations and itching, applied as a poultice to infections or sores; Alcohol extracts have been shown to have antifungal properties; Leaves can be brewed in tea to make an emollient or demulcent; Roots and leaves can be used in tea and tincture form to promote healthy liver, kidney, and bladder function.
Habitat: A European plant, Burdock grows wild all around the world in temperate, sub-tropical, and Mediterranean climates. It likes full to partial sun.
Parts Used: Entire plant
Collection: Gather the roots from two year old plants in early spring and from one year old plants in Mid-Fall. Leaves can be gathered and used as needed but are at their peak in early summer.
The flower appears in mid to late summer and the fruits ripen in early autumn. Collect them when they are dry in appearance (and stick to your clothing) and shake out the seeds. You can spread the seeds on paper to dry.
The roots must be sliced thin to dry properly and may become moldy. Lay roots and leaves flat to dry.
Michael Moore prefers to harvest roots in the spring, stating in his book Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West: “The roots should be dug in the spring of the second year, when first-year seedlings are just sprouting…harvesting fully flowered plants in the Fall can be as much work as digging a small tree; in addition to being covered top to bottom in burrs you will likely end up with a partially decayed root.” (Moore, 1979)
Culinary: The entire Burdock plant is edible; (taste similar to carrot) used in soups, sautés, and raw in salads and snacks, it is especially popular in Asian Cuisine. Called gobo in Japanese, it is a much consumed vegetable in Japan. The root may be eaten fresh or cooked and the young leaves can be cooked like any other vegetable.
Keywords:
Strength, purity, rootedness, nourishment, balance
Global Names: Gobo (Japanese), Ueong 우엉 (Korean), Niú Bàng 牛蒡 (Chinese), Greater Burdock, Edible Burdock, Lappa, Love Leaves, Philanthropium, Bardana (Spanish), Bardane (French)
The name Arctium is derived from the Greek arctos, “bear,” Lappa is from the Greek “to seize,” and llap is from the Celtic for “Hand.” The word Dock in its common name refers to its large leaves and Burr is from the Latin Burra which means “Wool” alluding to the fruit’s tendency to get caught in fur or wool of passing animals.
Description: Burdock is a large plant, classified in the sunflower or aster family (Asteraceae, formerly Compositae). Originally from Eurasia, it has quickly spread throughout the world. Burdock is biennial, meaning it has a two-year life cycle. It will put out basal leaves in the spring of its first year, and gather energy in its roots – mainly one, long taproot, like a carrot. During the following winter, the basal leaves will die back leaving only the long taproot underground. In their second year, they will start their season by sprouting more basal leaves, and then put out a tall, erect and branching stock, which can reach up to 5 feet in height.
In the late spring or summer of its second year, burdock erupts with small pink or purplish flowers exploding from the top of a spiny ball of hooked bracts, or burs, giving the plant its name. The stickiness of the small hooks was actually the original inspiration for invention of Velcro. The spiny inflorescence itself could be confused, at a glance, with some kind of thistle, which are in the same plant family, however can be told apart easily by its enormous, broad and soft green leaves (not thorny), sometimes reaching up to several feet in length. The leaves are usually cordate (heart-shaped) and darker on the top, with small, soft, whitish hairs on the underside.
The fresh roots have a dark brown, sometimes black, appearance on the outer root bark due to tannin-iron complexes, and they often reach a meter or more in length. Cutting the root open, you’ll find it lighter on the inside, ranging from almost white to light brown, depending on the specimen. The width and color of the roots will depend largely on growth conditions. Wild plants usually don’t get more than a couple centimeters in thickness, but cultivated roots can be much wider and longer, especially in nitrogen-rich soil. (Moya)
Healing Actions: Alterative; “A term used in galenic medicine for those plants which stimulate changes in metabolism and tissue function of a defensive nature in the presence of disease, both chronic and acute...based on the premise that disease symptoms in an otherwise healthy individual are actually the external signs of internal defenses and, as such, should be stimulated and not suppressed.” (Moore, 1979); Blood Purifier; Lymphatic; Stimulates the lymph via Peyer’s patches, and enteric nerves of the gut, possibly leading to an increase in liver function; Hepatoprotective; Burdock is also often invoked as a Diuretic (increasing urine production and elimination) and a mild diaphoretic (sweat-inducer), which could help explain its effectiveness as a cleanser or purifier, potentially eliminating harmful toxins from the body. Burdock seeds contain arctigenin, and arctiin, which show promise, in at least one study, in possessing Anti-carcinogenic and Anti-viral properties; Helps to eliminate potential toxins from the body more effectively. In other words, burdock is an alterative tonic in the truest sense, as it simply assists the body in doing what it naturally does, but more efficiently. One of the most well understood actions of burdock root comes from the benefits of an oligosaccharide called inulin, also found in dandelion, chicory and Jerusalem artichoke roots. Inulin is utilized by the burdock plant itself both as a stable way to store its own sugars. This indigestible sugar has been shown to have marked effects on modulating blood-glucose and insulin levels after a meal; it’s also a very effective prebiotic for gut bacteria, increasing our ability to effectively digest and absorb nutrients from the food we eat. (Moya)
Chinese herbal medicine recognizes burdock’s Demulcent properties found it more valuable as a healer of yang (heat conditions). Its Diaphoretic and Diuretic properties made it valuable for eliminating excess nervous energy, sweating out toxins, and cooling the heat of infections.
The most popular western use of burdock root is as a primary herb in blood purifier formulas. These formulas are based on the traditional concept that diuretic and alkalizing herbs will neutralize acids and toxins and expel them more quickly. The actual mechanism is more likely due to its mucilage preventing the absorption of toxins from the digestive tract and its diuretic effect. By absorbing toxins from ingested food and those produced by intestinal flora, viscous fiber eliminates the source of many of the toxins. This allows the body to heal itself. (Pederson, 1987)
Energetics: Cooling, moistening, nourishing
Planetary: Burdock is associated with feminine energies, Venus and the element of water.
Chakras: Root, Heart, Third eye and Crown
Detoxification Uses: Ideal for detoxification purposes. “For any fast longer than three or four days, Burdock and Yellow Dock are useful adjuncts, helping to maintain peristalsis and prevent blood acidity and ketosis which usually accompanies overambitious fasting.” (Moore, 1979)
Application: Strong decoction of root used in bath to relieve eczema, rashes, cuts, skin irritations and itching, applied as a poultice to infections or sores; Alcohol extracts have been shown to have antifungal properties; Leaves can be brewed in tea to make an emollient or demulcent; Roots and leaves can be used in tea and tincture form to promote healthy liver, kidney, and bladder function.
Habitat: A European plant, Burdock grows wild all around the world in temperate, sub-tropical, and Mediterranean climates. It likes full to partial sun.
Parts Used: Entire plant
Collection: Gather the roots from two year old plants in early spring and from one year old plants in Mid-Fall. Leaves can be gathered and used as needed but are at their peak in early summer.
The flower appears in mid to late summer and the fruits ripen in early autumn. Collect them when they are dry in appearance (and stick to your clothing) and shake out the seeds. You can spread the seeds on paper to dry.
The roots must be sliced thin to dry properly and may become moldy. Lay roots and leaves flat to dry.
Michael Moore prefers to harvest roots in the spring, stating in his book Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West: “The roots should be dug in the spring of the second year, when first-year seedlings are just sprouting…harvesting fully flowered plants in the Fall can be as much work as digging a small tree; in addition to being covered top to bottom in burrs you will likely end up with a partially decayed root.” (Moore, 1979)
Culinary: The entire Burdock plant is edible; (taste similar to carrot) used in soups, sautés, and raw in salads and snacks, it is especially popular in Asian Cuisine. Called gobo in Japanese, it is a much consumed vegetable in Japan. The root may be eaten fresh or cooked and the young leaves can be cooked like any other vegetable.
Resources & Recommended
References
Mayfield, A. (2005, June). Burdock Does it All. Retrieved January 22, 2019, from Mother Earth News: https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/burdock-does-it-all
Moore, M. (1979). Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press.
Moya, N. (n.d.). Burdock. Retrieved January 23, 2019, from Herb Rally: https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/burdock/#
Pederson, M. (1987). Nutritional Herbology. Warsaw, IN: Whitman Publications.
Seasoned Burdock Root . (n.d.). Retrieved from Asian Supper: http://asiansupper.com/recipe/kinpira-gobo-seasoned-burdock-root
Moore, M. (1979). Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press.
Moya, N. (n.d.). Burdock. Retrieved January 23, 2019, from Herb Rally: https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/burdock/#
Pederson, M. (1987). Nutritional Herbology. Warsaw, IN: Whitman Publications.
Seasoned Burdock Root . (n.d.). Retrieved from Asian Supper: http://asiansupper.com/recipe/kinpira-gobo-seasoned-burdock-root