Arctium lappa
Family: Compositae
Habitat and Cultivation: Widespread all over the world. The roots are dug in July, and should be lifted with a beet-lifter or a deep-running plough. As a rule they are 12 inches or more in length and about 1 inch thick, sometimes, however, they extend 2 to 3 feet, making it necessary to dig by hand. They are fleshy, wrinkled, crowned with a tuft of whitish, soft, hairy leaf-stalks, grey-brown externally, whitish internally, with a somewhat thick bark, about a quarter of the diameter of the root, and soft wood tissues. Burdock root has a sweetish and nutty taste.
Parts used: Roots, leaves, and seeds. Roots are more commonly used.
Actions: Depurative, Mild diuretic, Mild laxative, Alterative, diuretic, bitter, Blood Purifier
Nutritive Tonic – due to it being quite ‘oily’ – it nourishes and cleanses the lipid pathways of the body (Wood), Steroid hormone building – provides oils to maintain healthy adrenals,
ROOT (use in CHRONIC): Alterative, Mild laxative, Diuretic, Promotes sweating, Anti-rheumatic & Antibiotic
LEAVES: Mild Laxative & Diuretic. Can be used as poultice
SEEDS (Use in ACUTE): Prevent Fever, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial & Reduce blood sugar levels
Specific Indications: Heat, dryness, lack of oil. Thin, withered persons with dry skin and scalp. Dry scalp with red, scaly patches and hair loss. Headache, frontal, with dry sinus. Liver and gallbladder congestion; gallstones. Uterine prolapse; with tired feet. Pregnancy: balancing and nutritive during; helps prevent water retention and jaundice in babies. Profuse underarm sweat. Dry or oily skin, acne, eczema, dandruff; boils, abscesses, poison ivy, rashes, itching, measles (leaf externally). Retention of water in persons who are generally dry; swelling in the upper thighs and across the belly and the upper eyelids, with bags under the eyes, absence of perspiration, the skin is trying to conserve water. Pulse thin. Boils, abscesses, carbuncles. Single large pimples that are not coming to a head at the surface.
System affinity: Liver, gall-bladder, kidneys, skin, endocrine system
Energetics: Root/Leaves – Cool, drying & bitter, while the root is slightly sweet. Seeds – Cold, pungent & bitter
Contraindications: None known.
Preparation and dosage: Dose per day – 1.5 – 3.5 ml of 1:2 liquid extract.DECOCTION – 1 tsp of root into a cup of water, bring to boil and let simmer for 10-15 mins. This should be drunk 3 times a day