How many of us can recall times of walking through an open field, only to be annoyed by the burrs we collected on our socks or pant legs? Those burrs might well be the only unwanted part of the burdock plant. It grows wild in Asia, Europe, and North America. If you eat the root, it tastes sweet and feels gummy. The stalks taste like celery, and the leaves are bitter like dandelion.



Some of burdocks secret ingredients include calcium, arcigen, essential oil, chlorogenic acid, inulin, flavonoids, mucilage,lactone, polyacetylenes, resin, potassium, tannin, and taraxosterol. It contains vitamins C and B3 (niacin), as well as significant amounts of chromium, magnesium, copper, and iron. The trace amounts of organic mercury in the root make it ideal for mercury detox formulas.

Though the roots pack the greatest potential for healing, other parts are used as well. Historically, the seeds of the burdock plants were compressed to make a mixture that was effective in easing pain from arthritis, and treating gout, rheumatism, ulcers, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The burdock seeds contain beneficial fatty acids. The oil from the seeds can be used as a diaphoretic, which leads to increased perspiration. This cleanses the body and helps in treating influenza, gallbladder or liver disorders, and to aid the kidneys. The leaves or tea from the leaves have been used successfully to treat poison ivy or poison oak. In the far east, the leaves are used like lettuce and the root is eaten as a vegetable.

The root is best known as a blood purifier. This may be related to its diuretic properties. Many of the ingredients in the seeds are also in the roots, like beneficial oils, iron, and inulin. The root serves as a gentle laxative and will help rid the body of uric acid. Polyacetylenes are also present in the root, substances known to fight both fungus and bacteria.

The Chinese used the root as an aphrodisiac, and believed it was effective in treating barrenness and impotence. Burdock root has traditionally been used as a remedy for throat pain, tonsillitis, measles, arthritis, viruses like colds, and as a diuretic.

Externally, the burdock root extract has been used in Europe to treat dandruff and encourage healthy hair growth. Patients simply massaged burdock root oil into their scalp. Also, arctigenin, a substance in burdock, may be effective in slowing cancerous tumor growth. The root contains Essiac and Hoxsey, both ingredients of cancer treatment medications.

Burdock is available in teas, pills, ointments, or as Bur oil. It is very safe whether taken internally or externally, but be sure the burdock you have is pure. Because of its likeness in appearance to belladonna, a lethal plant, some have claimed burdock is not safe when it was really mixed with this look alike.

Though some tests indicate burdock is may help with abnormal blood sugar levels, it should be used cautiously for this. Mixed opinions are given about use of burdock by pregnant women because some say it may cause uterine contractions. It is best used in combination with other herbs since it can start the body cleansing too rapidly if used alone. If used by itself, start with small amounts. Also, for its blood cleansing effects to be maximized, burdock needs to be used consistently over an extended period, at least three months.