Burdock Root cut

Root, seed, leaf (topically)

Root: adaptogen, alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-tussive, aperient, aphrodisiac, cholagogue, choleretic, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, galactagogue, laxative (mild), nutritive, rejuvenative 

Seed: alterative, antiphlogistic, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic

 During the Industrial Revolution, burdock was used as a medicine to help people cope with pollution or, as John Kelton said in 1870, “the constant deterioration of the blood from impure air and exhaustion by day, bad ventilation at night and want of attention to ordinary requirements of life.” 

As an anti-inflammatory demulcent agent, burdock root soothes and clears internal heat. 

It improves the elimination of metabolic wastes through the liver, lymph, large intestines, lungs, kidneys, and skin.

Japanese research indicates that burdock root contains desmutagens, substances that deactivate cancer-causing agents. Burdock is used to treat abscesses, acne, anger, boils, cancer, candida, chickenpox, cough (unproductive), cystitis, dandruff, diabetes, eczema, oedema, fever, gonorrhoea, gout, HIV, hives, hypoglycemia, indigestion, irritability, jaundice, keratosis, lumbago, lymphatic congestion, measles, mumps, obesity, pain, premenstrual syndrome, prostate inflammation, psoriasis, rheumatism, smallpox, sore throat, staph infection, syphilis, tonsillitis, urinary inflammation, and uterine prolapse.

It makes excellent spring detoxification or fasting tea. The juice of the root can be consumed to rid the body of scabies and mites.

Burdock root can be used as a bath herb to relieve sore joints and gout. A compress made from the root or leaf can be used to treat boils, bruises, glandular swellings, knee swellings, sprains, and tumours. The leaf can also be bruised and applied topically to eradicate ringworm. The root can be prepared as a hair rinse or oil to prevent dandruff and hair loss and as a facial toner in cases of oily skin.

Young burdock leaves can be cooked in several changes of water and eaten as a potherb—but do not expect them to be delicious. The young stalks (har- vested before flowering) may be peeled and eaten raw or cooked as a veg- etable. Burdock root can be added to soup, salad, stir-fries, and sukiyaki. The root also can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Burdock has been used as a protective agent to dispel negativity when burned as an incense.

 Root: vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, polyacetylenes, chlorogenic acid, taraxosterol, arctigen, inulin, lactone, essential oil, flavonoids, tannin, mucilage, resin 

Seed: essential fatty acids, arctigenin, arctiin

Avoid burdock seeds during the first trimester of pregnancy, during the later stages of measles, and in cases of open sores. And take care to avoid the sharp spines when working with the seeds. If you are collecting in the wild, avoid confusing burdock with rhubarb, which has similar-looking but toxic leaves.