Burdock Leads to Brainstorm

The prickly head of the burdock plant, also known as Arctium lappa, caught the eye of a Swiss inventor in the 1940's. He looked at the burs under a microscope. The hook and loop system he saw led him to invent Velcro. This modern occurrence just puts an exclamation mark on the benefits of this plant. Herbalists have been using this plant, in many forms, to treat dozens of health conditions for hundreds of years.

The Uses of This Herb

Many herbalists think that when dried out, this herb is a great diuretic, diaphoretic, and as a blood purifying agent. The seeds of A. lappa are used in Chinese medicine. The oil extracted from the root of this plant is called Bur oil. Bur oil is popular as a scalp treatment to improve hair strength, shine, and body, help treat dandruff, and encourage the growth of new hair. The oil helps hair growth because it contains long-chain EFA’s and phytosterols that are needed to promote a healthy scalp and nourish hair follicles. The oils and nutrients are beneficial in treating dandruff.

Another Use For Burdock

This herb can also be used as a food. It is related to the artichoke. It was a major component of the macrobiotic diet. It is high in dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, amino acids, and is low in calories. The Japanese have been known to julienne its roots and serve it with pok in miso soup. Many times it is colored orange to help it pass as a carrot. This plant has several other food uses that are mainly served in Japan.

Summary

This plant has had many uses over the centuries both as a food and an herbal medicine. Its use in hair growth is widely known. It can be combined with Nettle root oil to increase its benefits in the treatment of hair loss. The ability of the root to help rid the body of excess water, the diuretic effect, is widely known and used by many herbalists. Traditional Chinese medicine combines burdock with other herbs to treat sore throat and colds. Commonly, this herb can be used to treat acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The biggest concern is that pregnant women should not take this herb because it can cause damage to the fetus.

The great many useful things that come from this plant have improved the lives of millions of people from the dawn of time.

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