Burdock Root which is known by many names such as Hardock, Hareburr, Turkey Burrseed, Great Burr, Cocklebur, Beggars Buttons, Cockle Buttons, Lappa, Bardane, Thorny Burr, Fox’s Clote, Love Leaves, Personata, Clotbur, Happy Major is well known for its cosmetic uses and lesser known as a medicinal herb nowdays – It was not always so…..
Burdock Root Constituents and Uses:-
Burdock Root contains flavonoids and many antibacterial substances such as arctiol, fukinone and taraxasterol and are mildly laxative, mildly diuretic, and depurative in that order.
Burdock Root is a valuable remedy for the treatment of dry and scaly skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It cleanses the blood, and should be used gently over a period of time. It may be used as part of a wider treatment for rheumatic complaints.
An infusion of Burdock Root may be applied to cracks, grazes, chapped skin and insect bites. It has an antimicrobial action which has been attributed to the polyacetylenes in the plant. This explains its reputation for treating toxic conditions resulting in skin eruptions such as boils; it is also useful in treating acne. An extract of the root called (not all that surprisingly) Burdock Root Oil is used to stimulate hair growth in cases of alopoecia with some noted success.
Burdock’s reaction is through bitter stimulation of the digestive juices and bile secretion and it will thus aid digestion and stimulate the appetite. It has been used in cases of anorexia nervosa and similar conditions. It can also aid kidney function. Its antimicrobial property, together with its diuretic action makes it useful for treating cystitis. Both the roots and leaves can be used to treat rheumatism and gout because they encourage the elimination of uric acid via the kidneys.
Externally it may be used as a cold compress or poultice to speed up the healing of wounds and ulcers. Eczema and psoriasis may also be managed effectively in this way.
Burdock Root is particularly susceptible to a harmless to human grub and a fungus. Given that we have not experienced any really cold winters for some years which would normally kill them off the result is that the entire European crop is liable to show some grub or fungal activity. This is usually evident when the storage conditions are just right to activate the fungus or hatch the grubs which is why we say on the label not to store in a kitchen ( which has unavoidable temperature variants) and to do so in a sterilised jar at a constant low temperature.
Our stock is kept refrigerated
This product is certified organic and not irradiated, in any way so it may show signs of grub or fungal damage if not kept at a constant low temperature and in a sterilised container.
We are reluctant to abandon our principles and sell only Burdock Root which has been irradiated or treated with pesticide but we may well be forced to stop supplying the product completely if instructions for storage are ignored.
Burdock Root in powdered form can be found here
