BURDOCK
(Arctium lappa)

Also known as : Lappa. Fox's Clote. Thorny Burr. Beggar's Buttons. Cockle Buttons. Love Leaves. Philanthropium. Personata. Happy Major. Clot-Bur. Bardana (spanish)

Family : Compositae.

Genus : Arctium.

Plant part used : Roots, seeds, leaves.

Your name, Burdock, is derived from the Greek word meaning "bear". Burdock is a biennial herbaceous plant, provided with a tapered brown root that originates in the first year, to a large rosette of leaves; and second, a tall stem, angular, with alternate leaves. The globular, red-violet at the high end, heads are-protecting by a spiny shell. The result is a ball with many hooks that animals adhere to its dissemination. Burdock fame for its healing properties since ancient times comes. The Greeks, and used as medicine, and in medieval times was included in many remedies. The root is the part that has more usable medicinally active ingredients. Raw roots and young leaves are used as food.

LOCATION:

Plant native to Europe and Asia; Burdock is abundant in the vicinity of residential areas, landfills and dumps species.

FLOWERING AND HARVEST:

Flowering time: July to September.

PICKING:

� The roots are collected preferably in a year the plants and before flowering. For storage must be cleaned very well, practice them a longitudinal cut and dry them in the sun or drying at no more than 35 ° C. Shortly before the end of the drying must be immersed in boiling water to retain as many active substances.

CONSTITUENTS:

Proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, B1, C, riboflavin, niacin, tannin, phytosterol, inulin, phenol.

PROPERTIES:

� Diuretic, laxative, sudorific, blood cleanser, tonic, anti bacterial, antibiotic, anti-septic, anti - fungal, choleretic, diaphoretic, antidiabetic and stomachic.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

» Contraindicated in pregnant women and babies.

USED TO:

� Burdock has a direct effect on the large and small intestines, gallbladder and central parts of the reproductive organs (uterus and prostate).

� In diseases of the genital tract (cystitis, urethritis).

� Formerly used as a diuretic. (internal use).

� Infusion of roots and seeds of burdock and leaves; taken to combat kidney stones, rheumatism and bladder problems. (internal use).

� It is one of the plants with better outcome for skin problems, because his great qualities as a blood purifier. The extract and infusion or decoction of the seeds, are particularly suitable for the cure of chronic skin diseases. (internal use).

� The crushed leaves are applied directly to the skin. By having an antibacterial and antifungal action, mainly gram-positive bacteria; are an effective remedy against acne problems, and many skin diseases such as psoriasis. Also boils problems, eczema, pruritus, seborrheic dermatitis, ringworm, and herpes simplex. (external use).

� Acts effectively against seborrhea of the face and scalp. (external use)

� Make an infusion to clean wounds, burns and skin inflammations. (external use)

� Burdock root contains several active components, which provide a high power drain the lymphatic system, helping the body to expel toxins and purify the major organs. As the liver (liver failure), lungs and kidneys. (internal use)

� Contributes to the healing of infectious diseases with rash; such as smallpox, measles and scarlet fever. (internal use)

� As blood purifier, acts positively in rheumatic diseases (arthritis, arthrosis), hemorrhoids, inflammation of the gallbladder, gallstones, viral hepatitis and cirrhosis. (internal use)

� A good alternative in rheumatic pains and produced by gallstones. (internal use)

� Helps fight diabetes. (internal use)

� Effectively removes uric acid, being excellent for alleviating gout. (internal use)

� A poultice of fresh leaves relieves pain caused by insect bites, sprains and hemorrhoids. (external use)

� Burdock oil is reputed to stimulate hair growth. (external use)

� Other doctors used it to fight pustular acne, and in moist and flaky dermosis. It was also considered useful against scabies and ringworm. (external use)

� It must be noted that due to the great purifying power of Burdock. Initially taking this plant; the appearance of the skin may become worse. But if you keep taking it after a while (about a month), the body completely eliminated debugged and their toxins, give the skin a radiant and healthy.

� In Chinese medicine the seeds are used to alleviate the evils of "air and heat" (colds).

� In Europe the leaves and new shoots are eaten as a vegetable. In Japan, it is cultivated to produce a variety of edible roots. (internal use)

LOCATION: Plant native to Europe and Asia; Burdock is abundant in the vicinity of residential areas, landfills and dumps species. FLOWERING AND HARVEST: Flowering time: July to September.

USED TO: � Burdock has a direct effect on the large and small intestines, gallbladder and central parts of the reproductive organs (uterus and prostate).