Burdock
Stéphanie Bureau, n.d.
Burdock root is an underground
tuber of the greater burdock plant
that is used both as a vegetable
and a medicinal plant. Botanically
speaking, burdock belongs to the
Asteraceae family; in the genus of
Arctium, also known as Arctium
lappa.
Of the four species of Arctium, only
greater burdock (Arctium lappa) and
lesser burdock (Arctium minus) are cultivated for their herbal parts. That said,
throughout the world, almost all parts of
the plant are used either for culinary purposes or medicinal ones.
From a nutritional standpoint, burdock
packs quite a nutritional punch. As a root
vegetable, it possesses considerably
stronger antioxidant activity than common fruits and vegetables. It is a good
source of non-starch polysaccharides
such as inulin, crystalline glucoside-lappin and mucilage, that help improve digestion, nutrient absorption and elimination. Additionally, inulin acts as prebiotic
and helps reduce blood-sugar, cholesterol and ultimately helps improve overall
metabolic function.
Burdock root is also exceptionally rich in
potassium and low in sodium, as well as
supplies various vitamins such as folic
acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, vitamin E and vitamin C. Additionally, burdock provides many essential minerals
such as iron, manganese, magnesium,
zinc, calcium, selenium and phosphorus.
Recent studies have further shown that
burdock contains the flavanoids quercetin and luteolin, which are potent &
powerful antioxidants, thus offering additional health protecting properties.
Medicinally speaking, burdock has long
been recognized as a potent blood purifier or alterative. Indeed, burdock offers distinct diuretic properties, which
help expel toxins from the blood through
urine and is thus of particular benefit in
situations such as exposure to environmental toxins (cigarette smoke, air pollution, etc...), parasites in the blood, heavy
metal contamination (mercury, lead or
arsenic), as well as chronic bacterial or
viral infections, like chronic fatigue syndrome or Lyme disease. Burdock further
supports cleaning by stimulating the
lymphatic system, thus helping to reinforce the body's natural detoxification
and drainage processes.
In addition, burdock promotes blood
circulation to the skin surface, which
improves skin health, and thus explains
why the root is so often used in the treatment of skin conditions such as acne,
eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis and dry
EC • MA
ÉB
U
purifier or alterative. Indeed,
burdock offers distinct
diuretic properties, which
help expel toxins from the
blood through urine and is
thus of particular benefit in
situations such as exposure to
environmental toxins,
parasites in the blood, heavy
metal contamination, as well
as chronic bacterial or viral
infections, like chronic
fatigue syndrome or
Lyme disease.
skin, among others. So beneficial is burdock to skin health in fact, that researchers have been trying to elucidate its
precise effects on tissue. Indeed, recent
scientific studies have been able to show
that burdock extract naturally improves
the clinical signs of aging skin. One such
study from 2008 showed that daily topical application of burdock extract significantly improved dermal extracellular
matrix metabolism and resulted in visibly
reduced wrinkles.
Finally, as a root with many well-supported medicinal properties, burdock is
also recognized as an effective herbal
remedy for all manner of liver and gall
bladder complaints, as a mild and reliable laxative, as well as for potent immune stimulation.
QUE
C • FABR
BE
IN
DE
burdock has long been
recognized as a potent blood
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UÉ AU Q
IQ
Since 1974
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES
• Antidiabetic
• Anti-hepatotoxic
• Antifungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Antiviral
• Depurative
• Detoxifier
• Diaphoretic
• Diuretic
Pathologies
Digestion : Burdock is known to help
strengthen the stomach, digestion and
appetite, while also helping to relieve
gas and bloating.The roots are referred to as "alterative" agents - meaning
that they are capable of enhancing the
digestive process, the absorption of nutrients and supporting the elimination
of wastes, while soothing the gut and
removing toxins from the large intestine. Like dandelion and yellow dock,
burdock roots are extremely bitter, thus
stimulate digestive secretions to further
support digestion.
Detoxification: Burdock leaves and
roots contain significant amounts of fiber
that can help keep the bowels regular
and promote the implantation and proliferation of healthy bacteria throughout
the digestive tract. In fact, the root
contains nearly 50% inulin. Studies
have been able to show that inulin acts
as a prebiotic by promoting the growth
of friendly bacteria which have the ability to control inflammation, boost immunity and eliminate unwanted pathogens,
such as those that can cause diarrhea.
Finally, burdock helps stimulate cellular
regeneration, detoxification and cleansing and is thus of considerable value to
help support the body's natural inherent
detoxification processes, most notably,
in patients dealing with chronic degenerative conditions.
Liver health: Burdock root is widely
recognized as a supportive of liver function. In fact, it has been shown that burdock root supports the liver by promoting the production of bile, which is of
great importance for the healthy metabolism of fats and removal of fat-soluble
toxins. Burdock also provides powerful
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that can help reduce liver damage
from microbes, bacteria or an overload
of toxic chemicals. In fact, according
to a very compelling study published in
the "Journal of Biomedical Science" in
September 2002, the hepatoprotective
properties in burdock root help prevent
damage to the liver, as well as are effective for healing liver damage caused by
chronic alcohol use.
thus of particular value to help stimulate
and support liver function, and so may
be of great benefit for acne flare-ups
which can manifest as a result of liver
overload.
Concomitant
products:
Concomitant products: Burdock is a wonderful natural approach
to help stimulate detoxification, cleanse
and purify the blood. It is also particularly useful and safe to help bolster kidney
and urinary tract health, to strengthen
and protect the liver and to support
digestion and metabolism. As a nourishing herbal it is a great standalone remedy, but may also be combined fairly
liberally with other like-minded herbals
according to the clinical picture. Some
other plants that may be considered include yellow dock, sarsaparilla, marshmallow, beets, parsley, cumin, ginger,
fennel and anise, among others.
Skin health: Burdock has long been
used by herbalists to treat a wide variety
skin conditions such as abscesses, carbuncles, psoriasis, eczema, rashes and
dry skin. The beneficial effects of burdock include increasing circulation to
the skin, helping to detoxify the epidermal tissues and destroying any bacteria
and fungus that may be present on the
surface of the skin. Burdock is also widely used as an effective treatment for
acne. It decreases the flow of sebum
produced by the sebaceous glands, helping to clear up the skin, while increasing circulation to the skin and killing
any bacteria that may be present.
Finally, the burdock rhizome possesses
potent cholagogue porperties and is
1. Chan YS, Cheng LN, Wu JH, Chan E, Kwan YW, Lee SM, Leung GP, Yu PH, Chan SW. A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). Inflammopharmacology. 2011 Oct;19(5):245-54.
2. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al, eds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative
Medicine Communications; 1998:318.
3. Ferracane R, Graziani G, Gallo M, Fogliano V, Ritieni A. Metabolic profile of the bioactive compounds of burdock seeds, roots and leaves. J Pharm Biomed Anal.
2010;51(2):399-404.
4. Holmes, Peter. The Energetics of Western Herbs, Volumes I and II. Snow Lotus Press, 2007.
5. Lin SC, Lin CH, Lin CC, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa Linne on liver injuries induced by chronic ethanol consumption and potentiated by carbon
tetrachloride. J Biomed Sci. 2002 Sep-Oct;9(5):401-409.
6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
7. Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods, Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition. Third Edition. Berkeley, CA. Atlantic Books. 2002
8. University of Maryland Medical Center website: https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/burdock
9. Li D, Kim JM, Jin Z, Zhou J. Prebiotic effectiveness of inulin extracted from edible burdock. Anaerobe. 2008;14(1):29-34.
10. University of Michigan health library: http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2057006
11. Knott A, Reuschlein K, Mielke H, Wensorra U, Mummert C, Koop U, Kausch M, Kolbe L, Peters N, Stäb F, Wenck H, Gallinat S. Natural Arctium lappa fruit extract
improves the clinical signs of aging skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Dec;7(4):281-9.
Depuis 1974
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