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Burdock, Latin name Arctium lappa, is a
carrot-like root from the plant Arctium lappa, a biennial herb grown in China, Europe and
the United States. Employed as a popular folk medicine around the world, burdock is also
consumed as a vegetable in Japan, where it is called 'gobo'.
Burdock seeds are crushed to make a popular tincture used to
purify the blood, to treat gout and ulcers, arthritis, rheumatism, and cure skin diseases
such as acne and psoriasis. In India and Russia, the root is a popular anti-cancer remedy
, and in China it is believed to be an effective aphrodisiac, useful in treating impotence
and sterility.
The volatile oils of burdock seed are said to be an effective
diaphoretic, used to inducing sweating as an aid in neutralizing and eliminating toxins
from the body. This activity is widely utilized by herbal practitioner's in the treatment
of liver problems, gallstones, flu, and to support the kidneys in filtering acids from the
blood stream.
Studies of burdock show that it is high in minerals, being a
good source of iron. Data also indicates that the root is a good source of the
carbohydrate inulin which can account for 45% of the plant mass. Burdock is also a good
source of essential oils and other compounds that exhibit bacteriostatic and anitfungal
activity.
Burdock is an effective diuretic, and is considered a very safe
herb and food product, though there have been cases where the purity of the root has
raised some concern. Reported cases involving toxic effects were first thought to be
caused by the consumption of burdock tea, but were later determined to be caused by
contamination of the burdock root with belladonna root which contains atropine. In light
of such issues, when using burdock root determine the of the source and quality of root
before purchase.
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