Burdock.

Big burdock: properties, application and treatment

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a biennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This is a widespread plant that grows almost throughout Russia. Burdock is used as a food product, a medicinal plant and in cosmetology.

Large burdock root is a large, fleshy root up to 60-80 cm long. The stem is erect, woody and reddish in color. The leaves are petiolate, broadly ovate, serrated along the edges. The color is green above, grey-gray below. Burdock blooms in July-August, the flowers are purple-violet, collected in spherical baskets at the top of the stem. The fruit is an achene with a fly, consisting of short, easily falling bristles.

Soups are prepared from soaked burdock roots; fried and baked, they are used as vegetables; dried burdock roots are ground into flour and cutlets and flatbreads are made from it. The medicinal raw materials are the roots and leaves of burdock.

Burdock roots are used to prepare decoctions and tinctures. They contain essential and fatty oils, inulin, proteins, mucus, sitosterol, stigmasterol, tannins and bitter substances, mineral salts and vitamins. Burdock root preparations exhibit a diuretic, diaphoretic, moderate analgesic and choleretic effect, somewhat stimulate the formation of pancreatic enzymes, are a mild laxative and dermatotonic, and improve skin condition. They have antiallergic, antimicrobial, antiseptic and disinfectant effects, eliminate itching.

A decoction of burdock root is prescribed for gout, inflammatory kidney diseases, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, gastritis and colitis, rickets, hemorrhoids and rheumatism. Along with the improvement in the general condition of patients, blood counts normalize, the excretion of urine, uric acid and urea increases, inflammatory phenomena in the stomach and colon disappear, pain decreases, and bowel movements improve.

To enhance the antidiabetic effect, burdock is combined with bean pods and blueberry leaves.

In addition, burdock leaves are used to prepare decoctions and tinctures. They contain carotene, vitamins C and B2, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and other useful substances. Burdock leaves have a diuretic, choleretic, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic effect. They also improve metabolism, stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and improve skin condition.

Burdock leaves are used to treat a variety of conditions, including dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, ulcers and wounds. They can also help with menstrual irregularities, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis and other diseases.

In cosmetology, burdock is used to strengthen hair and prevent hair loss. It contains inulin, which promotes hair growth and improves its structure. In addition, burdock contains phytoestrogens, which help reduce hair loss in women during menopause.

Despite the many benefits of burdock, it should be used with caution and only after consulting a doctor or naturopath. Burdock may cause allergic reactions in some people and may also interact with certain medications.