Burdock root reduces blood sugar, protects the liver from toxins, reduces the absorption of bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

A totally extraordinary herb, burdock has exceptional detoxifying properties, which recommend it for an incredible number of conditions. And one more thing: this plant is very valuable, in a field with which, unfortunately, we are too little accustomed: preventive medicine.

But first let’s get acquainted with Burdock or Captalan, the head plant of our ancestors, the Dacians, then taken over in all areas of the country, in the form of Babish remedies.

The scientific name of Burdock is Arctium lappa, the name Arctium coming from the Greek language, where arktos means bear, and lappa means paw in Celtic language.

So Arctium lappa would mean bear’s paw, probably because of the shape of its large leaves, which is reminiscent of a bear’s paw print on the Revan soil. Burdock is a biennial plant (it lives for two years). In the first year it develops its root system and leaves, and in the second year it produces flowers and fruit, after which it dies.

In the first year, Burdock has only leaves, arranged in the form of a rosette, a veritable photosynthesis laboratory, which feeds a root with a wealth of nutrients, turning it into a storehouse of substances. From this root will grow a stalk up to two metres high, with not very spectacular flowers, which by autumn will turn into the well-known scapes (with which we used to wage war as children), which are nothing more than burdock seeds.

A good plant to harvest is the one year old one, i.e. without flowering stalk, which is ready to pick right now in autumn.

From diabetes, hepatobiliary disorders, rheumatic or infectious diseases to problems of a dermatocosmetic nature, all can be alleviated with the help of burdock remedies.

Moreover, it is proven that burdock also has antioxidant and anti-tumour properties, protecting the body from the harmful effects of free radicals and, implicitly, from cancer. You can use it both internally, in the form of tea, tincture or capsules, and externally, in the form of compresses, infusion for local washes or applications of fresh leaves, notes adevarul.ro.

Relieves stress

Burdock helps, among other things, to normalize blood pressure, if a teaspoon of powder is taken three times a day on an empty stomach.

“This remedy is also beneficial in case of stress or nervousness, it is advisable to drink tea prepared from half a teaspoon of burdock root, mixed with an equal amount of linden flowers and a pinch of basil, to a cup of boiling water.

The infusion is drunk over the course of a day”, recommends family doctor Ruxandra Constantina, who is competent in apiphytotherapy, from the MedAs Clinic in Bucharest.

It works the bile and the liver

Burdock is considered one of the most effective remedies for eliminating toxins from the body, including those in the liver, protecting it from the action of harmful substances such as those contained in alcohol or some drugs.

Moreover, burdock tea is recommended for stimulating the hepato-biliary function. The tea is prepared from a tablespoon of chopped burdock root and 300 ml of boiling water, simmer for two to three minutes, leave to steep for 15 minutes and then filter. Drink one cup of tea over the course of a day for 14 days.

In addition, such a cure is also indicated for people suffering from gallstones, who are advised to drink one to two cups of burdock tea a day.

Lowers blood sugar

Research has shown that burdock root has the property of strongly reducing blood sugar levels.

That’s why phytotherapists recommend burdock root tea therapy especially for people with diabetes. “As for the hypoglycemic action, it is due to the very high content of inulin, depriving the patient of the sweet taste, which is not reabsorbed in the body.

It also reduces the absorption of glucose in the body”, notes pharmacist Ovidiu Bojor in the mentioned paper.

Decreases the absorption of cholesterol and triglycerides

Burdock root reduces intestinal absorption of cholesterol and lipids.

These actions have been scientifically demonstrated, justifying the use of burdock root in patients prone to cardiovascular disease. For this purpose, burdock root tea is used, prepared from two teaspoons of the plant ground to a cup of water. Drink two cups a day, according to Dr. Ovidiu Bojor.

Cleanses the body of toxins

Preventive, any person can make a detoxifying cure with burdock root tea. The therapy lasts for two weeks, during which time three to four cups of tea a day are drunk.

Thus, thanks to the strong diuretic and detoxifying effect of this tea, it effectively cleanses the colon and kidneys, and helps to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as normalizing blood pressure.

The remedy can also be taken in capsule form, one tablet three times a day, after the main meals.

Acne poultices

Burdock contains a substance, arctiozide, with an action comparable to that of penicillin. Thus, poultices with burdock leaves (washed leaves are sprinkled with eucalyptus oil and applied to the affected areas) are indicated in the treatment of skin diseases such as acne, furunculosis and couperose.

The compresses are changed three times a day and the therapy should be followed for two to three weeks. At the same time, you can drink a decoction of burdock and chicory root, which is prepared from 30 g of the mixture to a litre of water. The mixture is boiled for five minutes, strained and drunk over the course of a day.

Relieves rheumatic pains

Pain caused by rheumatism, sprains and strains, as well as insect bites, can be alleviated with the help of compresses made from burdock root decoction. Put two tablespoons of chopped root to a cup of water, leave to infuse for 15 minutes, then soak a gauze pad in this solution and apply to the painful spot.

It is also effective if you use compresses with burdock leaves, washed and ground beforehand.

Hair loss cure

To slow down or even stop hair loss, we recommend the decoction of burdock root.

The plant can also be used in a mixture with nettle and birch leaves. Thus, put two teaspoons of powder from the plant in a glass of water and leave to macerate for 6-8 hours. After that, the solution is strained, and the remaining plant after filtering is boiled for 5 minutes in 200 ml of water. Allow to cool and then combine the two extracts. Weekly, after washing and rinsing the hair, massage the scalp with this solution.

Burdock preparations

Burdock root powder

Burdock roots are finely ground with a coffee grinder or in a saucepan, then sifted through a white flour sieve. The resulting fine powder is stored in an airtight glass jar. In general, burdock powder does not retain its qualities for more than 14 days, as it tends to lose its therapeutic properties quickly through oxidation.

Take half a level teaspoon (about 2 grams) of powder 3-6 times a day, on its own. Hold the herb under the tongue for a few minutes, then swallow with water.

Cold maceration

Put two teaspoons of root powder (obtained by grinding with an electric coffee grinder) in a glass (200 ml) of water and leave for 8-10 hours at room temperature, then strain. Consume 1-3 glasses per day on an empty stomach, at least 15 minutes before a meal. Depending on the condition being treated, the root macerate cure lasts 3-6 weeks.

Combined burdock root decoction

Burdock –

Put two teaspoons of root powder in a glass of water and leave to steep for 6-8 hours at room temperature, then strain. Set the extract aside and boil the remaining herb for five minutes in a glass (200 ml) of water, then leave to cool. Finally, combine the two extracts and take the preparation for one day.

Burdock Tincture

It is obtained as follows: put twenty tablespoons of burdock root powder in a screw-top jar and add two cups (500 ml in total) of 40-proof potable alcohol. Close the jar tightly and leave to macerate for two weeks in a warm place, then filter. The resulting tincture is put into small, dark bottles. Take four to six times a day, one teaspoonful diluted in a little water.

Precautions and contraindications to treatment with Burdock

The administration of burdock root has no contraindications. The only precautions will be in diabetics, who will have to adjust their insulin doses when taking this remedy.
Burdock seeds (only the seeds, NOT the root) are contraindicated in case of pregnancy, as they may cause uterine contractions. Burdock root, on the other hand, is even recommended during pregnancy for the prevention of constipation, venous problems and mineral and vitamin deficiencies in the body.
In very rare cases, allergic dermatitis has been reported with external application of burdock root.