Lovely nourishing Burdock..oh how I love thee so!! 

 The following information is provided for your knowledge. I am not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe you a specific herb or remedy. I am however a home herbalist and have studied plants for over a decade. I am sharing commonly known knowledge that I have collected over the years. I will provide you a list of resources at the end. I encourage you to do your own research. Consult with your doctor or holistic health provider before taking herbal medicine. *If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant make sure to consult with your doctor before using herbal medicine. * 

Burdock: Arctium lappa

Burdock is a nourishing herb that is said to be an alterative. According to The Naturopathic Herbalist, "Alteratives are herbs that gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality."  This herb has deeply restorative qualities and works slowly. It has traditionally been used to treat everything from skin conditions such as acne to cancer. Burdock is high in magnesium, chromium, and inulin which all help to regulate blood sugar. Burdock contains iron and has a strengthening effect on the liver and kidneys making it ideal for treating hot skin conditions. It is not a "stimulating" herb and has a cooling effect. Burdock is NOT a good herb for people who tend to run cold. It you are fiery (think Pitta) and need a little cooling down look into Burdock. This plant is very safe and can be used long term. 

Plant Description: 

Burdock grows a single tap root. It prefers rocky conditions and disturbed areas especially moist and fertile soil. This wondrous plant also helps to restore minerals to the top soil. The leaves are large like Rhubarb leaves with reddish stems and have white undersides that are “wooly”. The size of the leaves can be as large as 3 feet wide and long. It is a biennial plant. The first year root is better for making medicine/herbal remedies. The second year plant will have a tall stalk and flowers. Do not use the roots of the second year plant for medicine as they will not be effective. By the time the plant is beginning to flower the energy of the plant will shift to creating seeds from making strong roots this shift is what makes the roots ineffective for medicine. 

Herbal Properties:

Burdock root properties: (according to Susun Weed in Healing Wise)

• nutritive tonic
• alterative
• anti-pyretic
• rejuvenative
• stomachic
• urinary tonic (diuretic)
• diaphoretic
• bacteriostatic

This herb has an impact that is most profound on the lymph, sweat and oil glands. It also to a lesser degree affects the liver, kidneys, lungs, joints, uterus and stomach. Burdock's bitter digestion stimulation action is beneficial for the kidneys. This herb can be thought of as a "scrub brush" that helps "clean" out your body. 

Burdock is well known for its ability to clear up skin conditions such as acne.  I like to use burdock for clearing up my skin as I get breaks outs easily. To “re-set” my liver and allow my body a chance to restore I make a burdock root and dandelion root decoction for 10 days straight. I also increase my water consumption a lot to allow for my body to detox.
Burdock is not appropriate for people with low blood pressure or who are experiencing frequent urination as it is a strong diuretic. Diuretics increase urination. Always consult with a doctor or herbalist before doing an intensive cleaning or herbal routines. Pregnant or breastfeeding women must talk with their doctor being taking an herb like this which can have a “cleansing” effect on the body releasing toxins into the mom’s milk supply. 

For women who are thinking of adding this herb to their routine I have been told that the best time to start taking this herb to support cleansing your liver is at the end of the menstrual cycle.  Decoctions of the root can help pull out heavy toxins from the body. 

If you have access to the fresh root infusion and tinctures made from this are excellent! 

note: This information is not a replacement for a trained clinical herbalist. Please consult your medical professional before treating and/or advising yourself or others with this or any other herbal remedy.

Is it edible? 

Yes! Burdock is also known as gobo root and is consumed regularly in Japan as a vegetable. The flowers stalks are also edible. 

Resources:

 http://www.cshs.com/herbsOfMonth/burdock.html

https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbal-actions/a/alterative/

Book: Susun Weed “Healing Wise”