Do you want to know about burdock benefits and contraindications? Here we explain it to you, but first we will analyze this plant from a botanical point of view.
Burdock, also known as gobo, edible burdock, lappa, beggar’s buttons, prickly burr, or happy commander, is a biennial plant commonly grown in the wild.
Reaching heights of up to 10 feet (3 m) tall, it has large, cordate leaves that have a long petiole and are pubescent on the underside.
It has purple flowers that are grouped in clusters and are surrounded by many bracts, each of which forms a curved hook, allowing them to attach to an animal’s skin for transport over long distances. The small seeds are contained within dry, spiny fruits.
Easily distinguished by its attached seed heads, the burdock is a member of the Asteraceae family, commonly known as the daisy, aster, or sunflower family, which contains more than 23,000 species distributed in 1,620 genera.
It is an economically important family that provides other herbs such as artichokes, chicory, dandelion, goldenrod, yarrow, and milk thistle.
First used in ancient Chinese medicine, the seeds were known as niupangzi and were used to expel the heat from the wind that accompanies coughs, fevers, sore throats, arthritis, rheumatism, anorexia nervosa and various gastrointestinal disorders. It eventually spread to Europe, where it was used to treat certain types of cancer, as well as syphilis.
In the 1940s, burdock inspired the invention of Velcro after a Swiss inventor was curious about how it stuck to people’s clothing.
Burdock root is an economically relevant herb throughout the world and is popular in certain countries as a flavor enhancer and in others as a medicinal herb. After a decline in popularity, burdock began to gain more importance during the second half of the 20th century, when it was a key part of the popular macrobiotic diet.
Burdock is widely used in cosmetics, shampoos, and hair care products. Some think that rubbing burdock on the scalp can help prevent baldness.
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Burdock Health Benefits
While it has been used medicinally for centuries, it is not as well known for its numerous health benefits due to its status as a herb in many parts of the world. Still, burdock has been used effectively for:
Decreasing blood sugar levels. The medicinal use of burdock can lower blood sugar levels, making it very useful for people with diabetes or other similar conditions.
Protecting heart health. Burdock has been shown to protect cardiovascular health and maintain healthy cholesterol levels in the system.
Additionally, burdock can help with other conditions, such as:
aids digestion. Taking burdock can help with digestive problems, such as constipation or diarrhea
Prevents Liver Damage Some studies have shown that taking burdock medicinally can protect liver health, including preventing liver damage. Burdock benefits and contraindications
Regulates hormone levels. Burdock can help regulate estrogen levels in the body, especially for women.
Along with its modern medicinal uses, burdock has long been used in traditional medicine for numerous purposes, including:
Eliminates water retention. It releases excessive water into the system by inducing urination.
Also know Remedies for fluid retention
Treat skin conditions. When applied topically, burdock is known to treat certain skin conditions, including eczema, acne, and psoriasis.
Treats the kidneys and gallbladder. Considered a «blood purifier,» burdock helps eliminate toxins in the body.
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How does it work
Burdock contains large amounts of non-starch polysaccharides such as inulin, lappin glycoside, and mucilage. It is also a rich source of vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), B3 (niacin), C (ascorbic acid), and E (tocopherol). Some of its compounds, such as vitamin C, give it antioxidant properties. It is this combination of nutrients that makes burdock such a popular herbal remedy.
Burdock also has a cardioprotective action. It has been shown to improve vascular dysfunction by allowing relaxation and suppressing inflammation. On the other hand, Burdock owes its hypoglycemic properties to its high phenolic and flavonoid content.
The polysaccharides found in the burdock root and leaves are considered beneficial to human health for two main reasons: their action as diuretic and as a blood purifying agent. Burdock benefits and contraindications
Some preliminary studies suggest that burdock induces sweating (diaphoretic action) and helps to renew skin tissues, although the full mechanisms of action behind these properties are still unknown.
The cinnamon and mesquite also have strong hypoglycemic properties, and similar cardioprotective benefits can be found in herbs such as olive and flax.
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Preparation and dosage
Because it is quite potent, burdock is often mixed with other herbs.
For the treatment of minor skin conditions, such as acnea decoction of 2 teaspoons of dried burdock root and 5 teaspoons of dandelion root is mixed with water to ingest once a day.
You can also make a poultice with the fresh leaves.
Seeds contain different, often potent, bioactive chemicals than roots and leaves.
For this reason, a medical professional should be consulted before using herbal remedies made from the seeds.
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Contraindications and side effects
Burdock is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth. However, for people with allergies or sensitivities to certain flowers, it can cause an allergic reaction. Burdock also looks similar to some deadly poisonous plants so it is not advisable to collect burdock from the wild. Burdock benefits and contraindications
Burdock can slow blood clotting, so people with bleeding disorders should not take it unless under medical supervision. For this reason, taking burdock before surgery is not recommended.
Because burdock lowers blood sugar levels, those with diabetes or similar conditions should exercise caution when taking burdock, lest it drop blood sugar levels too low.
Burdock root that has been collected by an untrained person should not be obtained. The roots closely resemble those of various poisonous plants and there is a chance that these may be inadvertently mixed together.
Women who are pregnant or nursing should consult a doctor before taking burdock medicinally.
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