Burdock Root 4:1

History:

Burdock is a stout, handsome, biennial that is native to Asia and Europe, but is now widespread throughout the world (it was introduced to the United States by European settlers). The plant is alternately despised as a weed and cherished as a healing herb. Burdock may be found along fences, walls, roadsides, in waste places and also around populated areas; and it thrives in moist, neutral-to-alkaline soil in sun or light shade. This relative of the sunflower has a furrowed, pithy stem that bears woolly branches, green, hairy leaves (gray underneath) and reddish-purple flower clusters, growing to a height of five feet. The root is long and fleshy, highly nutritious and is used (along with the seeds and leaves) as an important factor in herbal medicine. The botanical genus, Arctium, is derived from the Greek word, arktos, meaning "bear," a reference to the roughness of the plant's burs. Burdock Root has been used throughout the world by many different cultures for centuries as a nutritious, strengthening food, as well as an important medicinal herb that cleanses the blood and generally improves overall health. The famed seventeenth-century English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, recommended its use to counter the toxic effects of a "mad dog bite," and in North America, the settlers and Native Americans used it as a food and all-important medicinal herb. The Menominee and Micmac tribes utilized it for skin sores, while the Cherokees used it for a variety of ailments. There are various species of Burdock that are all used similarly in traditional European and Oriental medicines (employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for coughs, colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, measles, sores and abscesses); but, perhaps the best-known cultivar is Arctium lappa, or "Gobo," which is the Japanese word for Burdock. Native Hawaiians credit Burdock (known as "Gobo") with an ability to increase strength and endurance, and when faced with an arduous task to perform, they have been known to repeat the popular expression, "I need Gobo." Burdock is a very versatile plant, and because it is so nutritious, it is used in many cuisines. The Japanese and Chinese call it a strengthening food (the root) that is included in stir-fries, vegetable and meat dishes, salads and soups (it is an ingredient is the very popular "miso" broth). Some of the constituents in Burdock include fixed and volatile oils (including a root oil, bur oil), starch, mucilage, a bitter principle, inulin, resin, tannic acid, iron, chromium, copper, manganese, zinc, B-vitamins and vitamin E.

Burdock Root may be nature's best herbal blood purifier and "alterative," which has numerous beneficial effects on the body, helping to alleviate many ailments, and gradually and favorably altering the course of an ailment or condition.  As an "alterative," Burdock is considered an agent that assists this transformation by working with the body's efforts to stimulate the efficient removal of waste products, and it is reputed to cleanse and eliminate long-term impurities from the blood very rapidly through its action on both the liver and kidneys. It works with the body's own natural capacities to clear the blood of harmful acids due to calcification deposits, and overburdened blood is a major factor behind arthritis, fevers, infections and skin diseases.

As an herbal diaphoretic and diuretic, Burdock works with the body to promote sweating, which can help to release toxins through the skin and also promote increased urine, thus further eliminating toxins via the kidneys and bladder. The increased flow of urine supports the body's ability to relieve both the kidney and lymphatic system and has many beneficial effects. It works with the body to rid itself of excess water weight, relieve swelling around joints and alleviates edema. This may make it very useful for inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatism, arthritis, gout (by flushing uric acid from the kidneys), scrofula and swellings of the neck and throat.

Burdock Root is thought to support the body in its natural effort to heal a damaged liver and protect it from further damage. It is also thought to promote the flow and release of bile, which not only assists the body to cleanse the liver, but may also aid the digestive process. The mucilage, "bitter" and inulin contents in Burdock also help to support good digestion, as well as soothe the digestive tract and help many stomach conditions.

Japanese researchers have isolated a substance in Burdock Root, named the "B-factor," that is said to reduce cell mutation. There is also a dietary fiber in Burdock seed, called "arctiin," that may help slow or inhibit the growth of malignant disease in the breast in its early stages and may also have similar potential benefits against colon and pancreatic malignancies.

In cases of diabetes, recent research has shown Burdock Root to have blood-sugar-lowering effects in laboratory animals. The action apparently works by filling the intestines with the fiber, "arctiin," which may thus inhibit the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream. This same action also appears to inhibit the absorption of toxic compounds from food (further supporting the herb's use as a traditional effective blood cleanser).

When taken internally, Burdock is said to support relief of skin diseases and inflammatory conditions due to chronic toxicity, notably eczema, psoriasis, acne, leprosy, boils and sores. It is also reputed to be helpful for supporting improvement of other diseases caused by toxicity in the blood, including syphilis and gonorrhea.

When used externally, Burdock continues many of its same beneficial effects on the skin. Used in poultices, it has been employed to relieve boils, carbuncles, canker sores, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancers, bug bites, sores, poison oak, poison ivy, swellings, leprosy, burns, wounds and hemorrhoids. In addition, Burdock Root can be added to a poultice to reduce inflammation or relieve the swelling and pain caused by arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago and other backaches. The bur oil in the root is said to help strengthen and beautify hair, stop scalp itching and dandruff and combat hair loss.  (For assistance in creating your own poultices, rinses, ointments and teas at home, look to our Herbal Preparations page for easy instructions.)

Burdock Root contains polyacetylenes that are reputed to have antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Japanese herbalists use it to control infection and claim that it kills Streptococcus bacteria and many disease-causing fungi. Moreover, Burdock is thought by herbalists to kill ringworm.

Burdock Root is reported to support the body's own efforts to neutralize and eliminate poisons in the system, and it has been used historically as an antidote for acute poisoning.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, two (2) to three (3) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Large amounts (many times the recommended dosage) of Burdock Root Herbal Supplement may cause uterine stimulation; therefore, it is always advisable for pregnant women to consult a physician before taking it. Do not take Burdock without talking to your doctor first if you are taking diabetic medicine (examples: insulin, Glucophage(R) metformin, DiaBeta(R) Glynase(R) glyburide). Those who suffer from allergies to members of the daisy (Compositae) family (ragweed, asters, sunflowers, etc.) should consult a doctor before using this product.

Capsule Information:
Our Burdock Root 4:1 supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs."

Special Note:
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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.