Beneficial properties and medicinal uses of burdock root

Not everyone knows how to treat burdock. Medicinal raw materials are roots, leaves and seeds. The roots are collected in early spring (early April) or late autumn (late September - October). Wash the dug roots thoroughly from the ground in cold water and dry them in air or in special dryers. The roots do not lose their medicinal properties for 5 years. The leaves can be collected all summer, but it is best to dry the young leaves in the spring. Burdock roots contain the polysaccharide inulin, proteins, fat, essential oil, organic acids (palmitic and stearic), phytosterol, stigmasterol, tannins and bitter substances. Burdock leaves contain tannins, essential oil and mucus, vitamin C. The seeds contain the glycoside arctiin.

Beneficial features

The healing properties of burdock root have been proven internationally. Repeated studies were carried out in laboratories. You can take the plant extract for medicinal or preventive purposes. A number of useful properties can be identified:

• toxins are eliminated, and along with them, decay products from the gastrointestinal tract;
• digestive processes are normalized, constipation disappears, and the level of gas formation decreases;
• the amount of glucose in the blood decreases, its percentage is optimized;
• effective fight against the consequences of alcohol and drug intoxication;
• malignant cell damage at different stages is inhibited;
• dermatological diseases and skin inflammation processes are stopped, the possibility of exacerbation in chronic eczema is minimized;
• the development of prostate hyperplasia slows down;
• The respiratory system begins to function much better, pain in the throat disappears;
• the level of acidity in the stomach is minimized;
• has a positive effect on hair - it becomes silkier, more beautiful and stronger.

Burdock Root Extract

529 rub.

Speaking in a medical context, burdock root has quite a wide range of uses. When used externally, it is effective in the fight against dermatological diseases. The decoction will help in case of delayed menstruation or kidney stones. Burdock tincture is used for many purposes. The plant is infused either with water or alcohol. It must be stored in a dark place where direct sunlight does not penetrate. The longer the burdock is infused, the more effective it turns out to be. Some recipes also call for adding honey.

DESCRIPTION. A biennial large herbaceous plant 60-180 cm high, with a thick tap root, few branches. In the first year it develops several large petiolate leaves. In the second year, an erect, longitudinally furrowed, reddish stem, strongly branched in the upper part, grows. The branches are protruding and pubescent. Stem leaves are petiolate, cordate, coarsely toothed, green above, with sparse hairs, grayish-tomentose below. Flowers are in spherical baskets, reaching 3-3.5 cm in diameter and forming corymbose racemes at the tops of the stems. The involucre of the baskets consists of imbricated, green, hard, hooked leaves. The receptacle is slightly convex, densely planted with linear-subulate bracts. All flowers are tubular, with a five-toothed lilac-purple corolla and a tuft-shaped calyx. The fruit is an oblong ribbed spotted achene with a short tuft of stiff hairs. Blooms in July-August; the fruits ripen in September.

RAW MATERIALS. The medicinal raw materials are dried large, longitudinally wrinkled, cylindrical roots of varying lengths and thicknesses. The color is grayish-brown on the outside, pale gray on the inside. The fracture is smooth and grainy. The taste is sweetish, with a slightly mucous sensation, the smell is specific.

DISTRIBUTION AND PROCESSING. Large burdock is common in steppe, forest-steppe, and less often forest zones. It is also found in the form of small thickets almost everywhere near housing, in vacant lots, on the edges of fields, near roads and among thickets of bushes.

Root harvesting is carried out in September-October of the first year of the plant’s growing season. The roots of the first year are juicy and fleshy, while the roots of the second year are woody and not suitable for medicinal purposes.

Drying of roots is carried out outdoors in the shade or in well-ventilated rooms. Shelf life - 5 years.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. Large burdock roots contain up to 0.17% essential oil, fatty oil, palmitic and stearic acids, up to 45% inulin polysaccharide, sterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol), tannins and bitter substances. The seeds contain up to 20% fatty oil and arctiin glycoside, consisting of arctigenin and glucose. The leaves contain tannins, mucilages, the sesquiterpene lactone arctypicrin and a small amount of essential oil.

APPLICATION. The roots of burdock in the form of decoctions and infusions are used internally as a diuretic. Externally, in the form of ointments, they are used for skin diseases. An infusion of the roots in almond or olive oil called “burdock oil” is used for rubbing into the scalp as a hair strengthening agent.

In folk medicine, infusions, decoctions, and ointments based on burdock roots are used to stimulate metabolism, as a diuretic and diaphoretic, in the presence of kidney and bladder stones, gastritis and stomach ulcers, dermatitis and itchy skin rashes, inflammation of the oral mucosa, to accelerate hair growth, from bites of poisonous animals, in case of poisoning.

RECIPES

Infusion:

Brew 1 teaspoon of crushed burdock root with 2 cups of boiling water, leave to stand overnight, then strain (the strained infusion is a daily dose). For external use, the infusion is prepared differently: 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of crushed burdock root into 2 cups of water, boil for 30 minutes and strain.

Ointments

prepared in different ways:

a) thicken the root decoction (or fresh juice from burdock, which is more effective) to half, mix in half with pork (internal) fat, heat, pour into a pot, close the lid and cover it with dough, then keep for several hours in the oven or oven, after why drain the water from the cooled mass (an irreplaceable remedy for enhancing hair growth);

b) thicken the broth (4 tablespoons of raw material per 4 cups of boiling water), then mix 1 part of it with 4 teaspoons of cow butter (effective for burns).

ointment gives good results

from leaves: mix 20 gr. dried burdock leaves, 20 g chamomile flowers, 20 g fireweed herb (fireweed). Pour the mixture with 4 glasses of water, boil, add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of cow butter, 2 cups of a strong decoction of hay dust and place in a water bath until a sticky mass forms, then strain, squeeze and mix in half with glycerin.

Ointment

from a decoction of roots and young shoots mixed with butter, used to treat burns.

Rheumatism is treated in this way: first, rub the affected joints with ointment from fresh burdock root, then go to a lightly heated bathhouse and lie down on a shelf; steam is gradually added, and at this time the patient drinks a glass of warm root decoction in small sips (within half an hour). After some time (15-20 minutes), the patient’s body will be covered with profuse sweat, but they do not pay attention to this: they wait until the body becomes dry (thirst needs to be quenched with whey). After leaving the bath, the patient again rubs the joints with ointment, then, covering them with cotton wool, bandages them for the night.

Ointment:

Infuse 40 g of fresh crushed roots in 100 g of sunflower oil for 1 day, then cook for 10-15 minutes over low heat, strain. Use to lubricate wounds.

USE IN NUTRITION

The roots of first year plants are soft and succulent. Root flour mixed with double the amount of rye or wheat flour is used for baking bread. The roots are used instead of potatoes in soups, they are stewed with butter, and eaten fresh or pickled.

Salads and soups are prepared from young leaves and stems, and coffee surrogate is made from the roots.

Baked burdock roots

Wash the roots and bake in the oven. Use with vegetable or butter.

Pickled burdock roots

Wash the roots, peel them, scald with boiling water and cool. Make a marinade, pour it over the roots, sterilize and hermetically seal. Use as a side dish for meat.

Burdock leaf salad

200 g burdock leaves and stems, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 carrot, 2 tbsp. spoons of sour cream, salt.

Finely chop young leaves and stems, peeled, add lemon juice, mix with grated carrots, add salt and season with sour cream.

Burdock soup

0.5 l of water, 30 g of cabbage, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 2 potatoes, 1-2 pcs. tomatoes, parsley, 50 g stems and leaves of large burdock, 1 tbsp. spoon of sour cream, salt.

Place cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, onions, potatoes in water and cook until almost done. Then add finely chopped burdock stems and leaves, add salt and boil for 5 minutes.

Serve with sour cream.

Burdock puree

1 kg of burdock leaves, 100 g of sorrel, 30 g of dill and parsley, pepper, salt.

Grind burdock leaves, sorrel, dill and parsley, add salt and pepper, mix, place in sterile jars and store in the refrigerator. Use for making soups, salads and as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes.

Burdock jam

1 liter of water, 50 g of vinegar essence, 1 kg of burdock roots.

Carefully pour the vinegar essence into the water, bring to a boil, add the burdock roots minced in a meat grinder and cook for 2 hours.

Serve the finished jam for tea, use for making marmalade and sweet dishes.

Compound

Approximately 50% of the plant's mass is dietary plant fiber. The main component is a soluble polysaccharide inulin, which has excellent absorbent properties. The human body is not able to produce enzymes that would digest insulin, as a result of which it is simply excreted, simultaneously taking with it mucus and decay substances of the intestinal tract. Harmful toxins are also actively eliminated. Cholesterol and blood sugar levels are significantly reduced. Nutrients are better absorbed by the body, which allows you to receive more useful microelements, metals, vitamins, amino acids, while maintaining the same diet. In addition, there are other components:

• plant proteins that promote normal synthesis of protein elements, thereby achieving the effect of rejuvenating the body. The skin becomes softer, the hair becomes stronger;
• vitamins of group B, as well as E and C, ensuring optimal cell regeneration;
• stearic and palmitic acids, which can eliminate harmful substances from the body. They are of great value when carrying out cosmetic procedures;
• an abundance of minerals, in particular tin, titanium, silicon, iron.

The description of burdock root allows you to be 100% sure of its usefulness. Thanks to its composition, it can be used for many medical purposes. But you should not limit yourself exclusively to this area of ​​use.

Recipes

► For gastritis. Burdock root powder is infused with equal parts of alcohol and honey (in a ratio of 11) and taken 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon before meals.

► For thrombophlebitis. Infuse 40 g of fresh (only collected) roots in 100 ml of sunflower oil for 24 hours, then cook for 15 minutes over low heat, strain and lubricate the sore spot with the resulting potion. You can apply a gauze pad soaked in burdock oil overnight.

► For radiculitis. At night, apply a fresh burdock leaf with the lower, fluffy side to the sore spot.

► For gout. 1 tbsp. Pour three cups of boiling water over a spoonful of dried roots, leave, packed, for 2 hours, strain and take 2 tbsp. spoons 3-4 times a day before meals.

► For diseases of the pancreas. 2 tbsp. spoons of burdock root pour 600 ml of boiling water, leave overnight and drink 150 ml 3-4 times a day before meals.

Indications for use

Inulin is called one of the most effective detoxifiers of natural origin. Excellent for poisoning. Used to eliminate harmful toxins from alcohol intoxication, gastrointestinal diseases, and chemical poisoning. It is recommended to use the extract for the following symptoms:

• burns, abrasions, skin cuts;
• venereal problems;
• diseases of the female genitourinary system;
• metabolic pathologies in the body;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• musculoskeletal disorders;
• inflammation of the skin, in particular dermatitis, eczema, seborrhea;
• pathologies of the respiratory system;
• accumulation of salts in internal organs.

Burdock-healer and its healing properties

All parts of burdock are very useful and are used in folk medicine for different purposes. The roots, seeds and even leaves are used to relieve various health problems. The seeds contain valuable natural oils that are great for strengthening hair. The young leaves of the plant are rich in minerals, vitamins and phytoncides. The root contains inulin, a polysaccharide beneficial for the intestines, as well as tannins, proteins and trace elements. Fresh and juicy burdock leaves are used mainly externally. Burdock is a medicinal plant.

• There is research evidence that fresh burdock leaf juice can inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, making it an excellent remedy for treating poorly healing wounds and eczema.
• The pulp from young leaves effectively eliminates flaking of the skin, restoring its integrity and healthy appearance.
• Burdock oil has long been known to be used to strengthen hair. The oil smoothes the hair cuticle and nourishes the roots, so even dull hair quickly acquires a healthy and shiny appearance.
• Burdock roots are used to restore health from the inside for a variety of diseases and as a preventive measure.
• In folk medicine, burdock preparations are recommended to cleanse the blood and speed up metabolism.
• Burdock helps with diseases of the kidneys, heart and gall bladder. Burdock is good at cleaning the kidney ducts from salt deposits.
• Decoctions and powder from the roots act as a laxative on the intestines and relieve constipation. For some inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to take burdock decoctions so that the mucous membrane can recover more quickly.

Due to its inulin content, burdock is useful as a preventative against diabetes. Inulin helps the pancreas produce beneficial enzymes. Blood glucose levels are normalized if you regularly take burdock root preparations.

Alkaloids contained in burdock can slow down the growth of malignant tumors. There is evidence that if you take burdock as a preventive measure, you can protect your body from cancer.

benefits of burdock

For joint pain, you can use burdock root ointment. Juice and decoction of burdock leaves will help with high fever and relieve inflammation. It is also a good diuretic. If you use a paste of fresh leaves for eczema or allergies, you can quickly achieve remission of the disease.

Myth one. Prostate adenoma affects every second man over 50 years of age

In fact, the incidence statistics look different. After 50 years, prostate adenoma occurs in 20-25% of men. True, over the years the percentage of people suffering from this disease increases, reaching 50% by the age of 60. Which is understandable: in an aging body, a whole chain of age-related (including hormonal) changes occurs, which results in an enlargement of the prostate gland. However, this natural, in general, process is considered a disease only when the enlarged gland, located between the bladder and the urethra, begins to disrupt its emptying, squeezing its already narrow opening. At the same time, the clinical manifestations of the disease (and it can develop over years and even decades) depend not only on the size, but also on the location of the tumor, which may not manifest itself for a long time.