Arctium lappa

Common Name: Burdock

Family: Asteraceae (Aster family)

Parts used: Root

Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccharides (inulin)

Taste/smell: Sweetish initially, bitter later, slightly mucilaginous.

Tendencies: Cooling, distributes moisture around the body, but ultimately drying.

Actions

• Bitter digestive stimulant

• Hepatic

• Alterative

• Antibacterial

• Antifungal

• Anti-inflammatory

• Diuretic, especially the seeds

• Skin Trophorestorative

• Cholagogue/Choloretic

• Mild laxative

• Antioxidant

• Nutritive

• Lymphatic

• Antitumor/Antimutagenic

• Uterine tonic

• Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) Inhibitor, especially the seeds

Uses

Bitter Digestive Stimulant:

Burdock escorts gut toxins out of the body via water-soluble fibers. The high content of inulin makes burdock a great choice for support of beneficial flora in the gut.

• Hypochlorhydria

• Non-ulcer dyspepsia

• Maldigestion

• Anorexia

• Biliary insufficiency (due to low bile production, not obstruction)

• Biliary dyskinesia

• Gas

• Atopic constipation

• Candida

• Ulcerative colitis

Hepatic:

• Hepatitis

Anti-inflammatory:

• Chronic skin eruptions like acne psoriasis, eczema, boils, carbuncles, and sties

• Arthritis

• Sciatica

• Urinary calculi

• Gout

Lymphagogue:

Burdock promotes blood and lymph circulation. By stimulating the natural flow of lymphatic fluid, it supports the excretion of toxic by-products from cells.

Uterine Tonic:

• Normalizes the female menstrual cycle during menopause

• Mastitis

• Strengthens the uterus

• Acute uterine prolapse

Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) Inhibitor:

Burdock seeds contain platelet-activating factor (PAF) inhibitors that may have a positive effect on PAF-related disorders such as arthritis and asthma as well as a protective effect for the kidney. The seeds are also antibacterial and antifungal.

Antimutagenic/Antitumor:

Water-soluble polysaccharides found in burdock have shown chemotactic activity for granulocytic leukocytes as well as antitumor effects against solid sarcoma 37 tumors in mice. A methanolic extract of fresh root inhibited Ehrlich ascite carcinoma and Yoshima sarcoma in mice.

Research has identified multiple constituents that have antitumor effects.

Mental Picture and Specifics

• Burdock influences the skin, kidneys, liver, gall bladder, and mucous and serous membranes to induce removal of accumulated by-products of catabolism. Burdock helps cool off hot-tempered, irritable people.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy due to the oxytocic effect and uterine stimulant action on animal uteri

• Active peptic ulcers (particularly duodenal ulcers, which are associated with hyperchlorhydria, unlike gastric ulcers)

• Gastritis

• Hyperchlorhydria

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Biliary obstruction

• Acute diarrhea

• Acute cholelithiasis

• Long-term use or excessive doses of the seeds can cause UTIs (urinary tract infections)

• Allergic hypersensitivity to Asteraceae family (i.e. arnica, chamomile, feverfew, ragweed, tansy, yarrow)

Adverse Effects

• Bitter effects

Toxicity

• None

Interactions

• Increases gut motility

• Theoretically decreases absorption of many drugs if taken simultaneously