What Is Burdock Root?
Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a big-leaved biennial plant with purple, thistle-like flowers. Native to Asia and Northern Europe, you can find burdock plants growing throughout the world. Its many uses are gaining popularity in the United States and beyond. In homeopathic circles, you may have seen burdock sold as lappa.
Burdock root is an underground tuber that you can use as food or as a medicinal herb. In Japan, people use burdock as a food source in many dishes and call the root gobo. The root is crispy with a sweet, earthy flavor that resembles celery.
You can use burdock root to improve your health and well-being since it is rich in essential nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants.
Top 10 Benefits of Burdock Root
Traditionally, people used burdock root for a number of ailments, including joint discomfort, sore throats, respiratory infections, and skin-related conditions. Today, research also points to its powerful ability to boost your immune system and so much more.
1. May Promote Normal Wound Healing
One study looked at how the Amish take care of burns; they apply a mix of therapeutic herbs and then wrap the burn in burdock leaves — which have many of the same biological compounds as the root.
Did you know that burdock leaf acts as an effective remedy for wounds or burns?
The researchers found this practice resulted in no infected wounds, no "trauma" when changing wound dressing, and minimal or no discomfort. Researchers concluded that the burdock dressings were an effective alternative to conventional burn care.
Burdock may have antibacterial properties. Studies have documented that compounds in burdock repel certain harmful organisms. Burdock root contains chlorogenic acid (which also happens to be a component of green coffee beans); this compound reduces redness and swelling — not to mention, it also promotes normal blood glucose levels and fat metabolism.
2. Reduces Redness & Swelling
Over time, toxins build up in your body from the foods you eat, water you drink, and air you breathe. These toxins, as well as exposure to UV light, can cause your cells to generate free radicals that oxidize or damage cells. The build-up of these toxins and the resulting cell oxidation can lead to systemic redness and swelling in your body, which, in turn, causes discomfort — and may lead to a host of other ailments.
As an antioxidant, burdock root can stop toxins and free radicals from wreaking havoc on your body.
Burdock root contains antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that counteract free radical damage in your body. Besides chlorogenic acid, scientists have isolated arctigenin (a lignan, if you know your biological compounds) and arctiin as two major bio-active components in burdock root that reduce redness and swelling.
3. Boosts Skin Health
Whether you have dry skin, acne, eczema, or psoriasis, the properties in burdock root make it a great choice to make your skin glow! Burdock's active ingredients promote blood circulation, pushing blood to the surface of the skin — which make it look supple and younger-looking.
If you're looking for healthy, glowing skin, give burdock root a try!
No need to search for the fountain of youth — research shows that burdock root can lead to healthier-looking skin. Whether you take it in a capsule, tea, or extract — or you eat burdock root for dinner — its effects work from the inside out. Some studies have found it helpful when applied topically, as well.
4. Promotes a Healthy Body Weight
Burdock root is low in calories, with just 72 calories per 100 grams. But that's not what makes it helpful in managing body weight.
Compounds found in burdock root may boost your metabolism and improve weight loss!
Burdock contains inulin and chlorogenic acid, which improved fat metabolism and promoted normal levels of cholesterol and blood sugar in animal studies.
One study found that taking burdock promoted normal body weight in rats, and also had fat-reducing properties in human cells in vitro. According to the study, "These results suggest that burdock root is expected to be useful for body weight management."
5. May Prevent Cell Proliferation
A number of studies have looked at how burdock root affects the harmful and excessive growth and spread of cells in the body. Burdock root acted against liver cell masses in vitro (in a lab study on cells), and prevented them from growing.
The lignan arctigenin in the root has been shown to work against harmful breast tissue cells as well. Overall, burdock root may have positive effects on overall health and longevity by keeping cells in a healthy state.
6. Aids in Digestion
The inulin in burdock root is a natural dietary fiber that is not absorbed or digested by the stomach. It acts as a prebiotic, which means food for beneficial bacteria found in your gut. Once burdock (and the inulin it contains) moves through your intestines, probiotics (friendly bacteria) use it to flourish. And the helpful gut microbes keep your digestion working well.
Did you know that burdock root acts as a prebiotic? This helps probiotics thrive in your gut.
Burdock root has been used in traditional Brazilian medicine for centuries for the digestive system. That therapeutic benefit now has scientific evidence to back it up. At least one animal study showed that burdock root might soothe digestive disorders by thickening the colon wall and reducing redness and swelling.
7. Natural Diuretic for the Kidneys
Burdock root is a diuretic which can increase urine output, making it a natural alternative to water pills if you should need a temporary reduction in swelling.
Diuretics stimulate and detoxify your kidneys, helping to promote fluid balance and cleanse your body of waste. Burdock root also deters harmful organisms that are sometimes associated with kidney and urinary discomfort.
8. Promotes Liver Health
Watch out! Burdock root may be your new go-to for liver health.
In support of traditional use, animal studies have found that burdock root may help cleanse and detox the liver from certain harmful substances. One animal study showed that the antioxidants found in burdock root may help protect liver cells from acetaminophen (Tylenol) damage.
It's well known that alcohol is bad for your liver. Avoiding alcohol altogether is ideal, but if you do partake in occasional alcohol, certain herbs and foods may cleanse your liver.
A second animal study found burdock root improved several markers of liver health caused by drinking too much alcohol. These markers include glutathione and cytochrome P450— a substance that increases in heavy drinkers and activates bad chemical reactions in the body.
9. Promotes Healthier Hair
Pro tip: Try burdock root to eliminate dandruff or dry scalp!
Whether you want to eliminate the dry scalp that causes dandruff or stop hair loss, burdock root is an effective tool to add to your hair care arsenal.
Burdock contains fiber, essential fatty acids, and vitamins that are all good for healthy hair, but scientists have pinpointed the antioxidant lignan arctiin as the biological component that may promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. People use burdock root oil for dry scalp, itching, and dandruff, though there are limited studies on its effectiveness.
10. Acts as a Natural Aphrodisiac
If you're looking to boost your libido, look no further than burdock root. The plant extract has long been used as a natural aphrodisiac to stimulate sexual drive and response — benefits that have been verified scientifically, as well.
In one study, burdock increased testosterone and several components of sexual performance in rats. The researchers credited burdock's diverse array of flavonoids, saponins, lignans, and alkaloids for this effect.
Burdock Root
Burdock root is a medicinal herb and food that has powerful anti-tumor, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. Burdock root is one of the top recommended herbal remedies for cancer due to the belief that it can stop cancer cells from metastasizing and it is one of the star ingredients of the famous natural cancer remedy known as Essiac tea.
It is also highly beneficial for colds, flu, sore throats, bronchial congestion, ulcers, gallstones, anemia, kidney stones, chicken pox, gout, measles, strep throat, urinary tract infections, bladder infections, hepatitis, and enlarged prostates. Burdock root is an essential blood purifier and detoxifying herb as it can neutralize and safely eliminate poisons and toxins from the body.
Burdock is one of the most important herbs for treating chronic skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and shingles. It can also help to stimulate metabolism, re-grow hair, strengthen nails, and aid in edema and weight loss. Burdock root is an effective painkiller that can help alleviate symptoms of inflammation that affect auto-immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, lupus, and diabetes.
Fresh burdock can be juiced with celery, kale, and apple or used in recipes similarly to carrots. It is often steamed or added to soups and stews. It has a subtly sweet and earthy flavor that works well with potatoes, mushrooms, and onions. Dried burdock root is often used as a medicinal tea.
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried burdock root and let steep for at least 10 minutes or more, sweeten with honey if desired. Burdock root can be readily found in a cream, salve, tincture, extract, and capsule form. It’s potent healing abilities has made it a vital herb for your natural medicine cabinet.
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