What Is Burdock Root?
Burdock root is a plant native to Europe and Asia. It grows naturally in damp places like marshes, swamps, and other wetland areas. Its leaves are long and narrow with five leaflets arranged in a fan shape. They have no stalks or roots but instead grow from the ground up into the air. These leaves contain a compound called burdock oil which is used in cosmetics and medicines.
The plant has been cultivated since ancient times. It was known as “burdock grass” because it grew along the edges of fields, making them look unkempt. However, its popularity declined after the introduction of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides made from petroleum products caused the soil to become too acidic. Today, the only place where burdock root is grown commercially is in China.
How To Use Burdock Root?
There are many different uses for burdock root. It can be eaten raw, cooked, or brewed into a tea. In fact, burdock root tea has been consumed for centuries throughout the world. The tea has a unique taste that most people either love or hate. Those who dislike the taste can mix it with other herbs to make the tea more palatable, such as:
Dandelion root
Licorice root
Orange peel
Parsley
Raspberry leaf
Stevia leaf
The tea is highly nutritious and can be used as an alternative to coffee or black tea. In addition to drinking the tea, it can be turned into a tincture or liqueur. The dried roots can be used to make a soothing skin lotion for treating acne, eczema, dry skin, and other forms of inflammation. In addition, most grocery stores sell burdock root in the form of a supplement.
What Is Burdock Root Good For?
Burdock root contains several active compounds which have a wide range of health benefits. For the most part, these health benefits are associated with helping the liver. For example, it can treat jaundice, which is a condition where the liver fails to properly metabolize blood.
There is some evidence to suggest that taking burdock root internally and applying it topically can help stop skin infections, including staph and ringworm. It also helps to soothe the symptoms of psoriasis.
There is some evidence to suggest that the tea can help treat acne, eczema, and other skin conditions. However, more research needs to be done in this area to confirm these effects.
Burdock root has also been used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal issues such as hemorrhoids, constipation, diarrhea, diverticulitis, and other forms of gastroenteritis. It can also be used externally to kill and prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and wounds.
Some people also use it as a mild laxative to clear out their bowels before a medical examination. In some cases, it has been used as a cure for hiccoughs.
Burdock root is also high in essential vitamins and minerals. It can be used to prevent malnutrition in elderly patients who suffer from food aversions or illness-related anorexia. It can also help patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery or bariatric surgery to regain nutrients.
The root is high in Vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin, bone growth, and night vision. In addition, it is high in antioxidants which can prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
It also contains essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, which the body needs to maintain tissue elasticity and regulate inflammation. These nutrients help with wound healing and are especially beneficial for people who suffer from dry skin or rashes.
Sources & references used in this article:
Preparation of inulin and phenols-rich dietary fibre powder from burdock root by Z Lou, H Wang, D Wang, Y Zhang – Carbohydrate polymers, 2009 – Elsevier
Extraction of inulin from Burdock root (Arctium lappa) using high intensity ultrasound by E Milani, A Koocheki… – International journal of …, 2011 – Wiley Online Library
Burdock root tea poisoning: Case report involving a commercial preparation by PD Bryson, AS Watanabe, BH Rumack, RC Murphy – Jama, 1978 – jamanetwork.com
Anticholinergic poisonings associated with commercial burdock root tea by PM Rhoads, TG Tong, W Banner… – Journal of Toxicology …, 1984 – Taylor & Francis
