In the category of herbs that can be considered to provide major benefits to all components of the body, burdock root is definitely at the top of the list. This plant is extremely useful in the functions of all organs, particularly the organs of elimination, including the skin! It is so effective, that it is responsible for aiding in the recovery of many common and severe diseases. This is primarily due to its blood purifying qualities, since many health conditions of the body are at least in part a result of an overburdened bloodstream. 

As a member of the daisy family, burdock is a stout, common weed, with burrs that stick to clothing or animal fur. Actually, this particular characteristic is what inspired the production of VELCRO. Burdock grows to a height of approximately 3 to 4 feet and has beautiful purple flowers that bloom between the months of June and October. It has alternate (meaning that the leaves grow on both sides of the stem at alternating levels), wavy, heart- shaped leaves that are green on the top and whitish on the bottom. The deep roots are brownish-green, or nearly black on the outside, and whitish on the inside. The plants are cultivated for their slender roots, which can grow about 1 meter long and 2 cm across. 

Burdock root is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable in many places, for it has many nutrients, like iron, potassium and other beneficial oils. It provides many of its nutritional benefits as a result of the specific form of fiber, inulin, that it contains. In addition, many of its health benefits come as a result of its capability to increase hydration and other fluids in the body. While generally not used in European cuisine, it remains popular in Asia, particularly in Japan where Greater Burdock is commonly eaten. The root itself is very crisp and has a mild, and pungent flavor, with a little muddy harshness that can be reduced by soaking shredded roots in water for five to ten minutes. Immature flower stalks may also be harvested in late spring, before flowers appear. The taste resembles that of artichoke, to which the burdock is related. 

Culinary Ideas: Fresh burdock roots are mild tasting and somewhat sweet. They may be peeled and thinly sliced to add to soups, salads, and in a mixture of stir-fried vegetables. The young leaves of the first year plant may be eaten fresh or steamed as a nutritious potherb, and the fresh stalks, peeled and steamed until tender, are also a culinary treat. Burdock root, roasted and ground to a powder, has been used as coffee additive or substitute. 

The active elements in Burdock include arcigen, calcium, chlorogenic acid, essential oil, flavonoids, iron, inulin, lactone, mucilage, polyacetylenes, potassium, resin, tannin, and taraxosterol. The seeds of the plant contain beneficial fatty acids. The oil from the seeds can be used as a diaphoretic, which leads to increased perspiration. This is essential in cleansing the body of toxins or harmful elements. 

Blood & Organs 

This plant is so unique when used medicinally because of it's breadth of characteristics. Historically, the seeds of the burdock plants were compressed to make a mixture that was effective in cleansing the bloodstream, easing pain from arthritis, treating gout, rheumatism, ulcers, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Burdock root is used to treat skin diseases, boils, fevers, inflammations, swollen glands, some cancers, and fluid retention. However, most importantly, burdock is revered for its blood cleansing and purifying qualities. 

Burdock root offers much value to the circulatory system. Most importantly, an increase in circulation, and an elimination of blood infections. Blood governs the entire body, it carries oxygen and needed nutrients to every organ and throughout the body. It also carries waste to the elimination organs so that they can eliminate it. A very unique property of this plant is the fact that it has extremely high levels of inulin. Inulin is a soluble fiber that actually breaks down and dissolves calcium and other harmful mineral deposits in the blood. Mineral waste deposits are the hardest for the body to eliminate and therefore end up slowing the circulation or contributing to other health issues like kidney or gall bladder stones. By cleaning the blood, burdock root helps reduce cholesterol as well as blood sugar levels. For this reason, burdock root is often used in the treatment of diabetes, liver and kidney disease as well as most cancers. 

In addition, burdock is a natural diuretic. Diuretics benefit the body and cleanse the blood by inducing elimination of fluids from the body. As this happens, metabolism increases and any fatty deposits that are traveling in the blood stream are broken down and are easier to eliminate. Since diuretics help the body's systems of elimination work more efficiently, urine regularity is increased. Burdock benefits organs such as the liver and kidneys because they are primarily responsible for this function of the body. 

Elimination Organs 

By assisting the liver in its efficiency as an elimination organ, it helps heal a damaged liver and protect it from further overuse. It also promotes the flow and release of bile, which not only helps to cleanse the liver, but it also aids the digestive process. Burdock is helpful in kidney functions because it flushes the toxins and many acids, including uric acid, from the kidneys. This particular acid is responsible for much of the inflammation that occurs in the joints and muscles. This inflammation, or swelling, is often recognized as rheumatism, arthritis or gout. 

Digestive System 

Burdock is often prescribed in cases of kidney stones and all stages of liver disease, not only because it rids the blood of minerals, but also because it filters the acids that can cause digestive issues. Burdock is extremely beneficial to and supportive of the digestive system in many ways. Since it increases the hydration levels in the body, it helps to flush the gastrointestinal tract and aids the movement of digested food This is because burdock root also has such a high level of mucilage. Mucilage is is a gooey, gel like protein that is really very similar to that of the flax seed. This mucilage is used internally as well as externally to soothe and protect inflamed mucus membranes. It also destroys unfavorable fungal and bacteria cultures that may potentially lead to colon cancer. Another benefit of the inulin presence found in Burdock is that it supports the growth of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract, which in turn provides numerous health benefits. 

Herbal Tea: Burdock's medicinal properties, concentrated in the root, are best extracted by decoction. Add about 1 tsp of thinly- sliced, fresh or dried burdock root per 8 oz of cold water in a glass or ceramic pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Drink up to three cups daily. 

Tincture: Combine one part fresh herb to three parts alcohol (50% alcohol/water solution) in glass container. Set aside in dark place. Shake daily for two weeks. Strain through muslin or cheesecloth and store in a dark bottle. The tincture should maintain potency for two years. The standard dosage, unless otherwise prescribed, is 1/2 tsp, three times daily. 

Skin & Hair 

Burdock Root benefits the skin from the inside out. It is very effective in expelling toxins from the body and cleansing the blood and the skin shows a direct reflection of this process. Cleansing the blood prevents harmful bacteria from settling and blocking oxygen in the blood circulating to the pores. Burdock eliminates toxins through the urine as well as the skin through increased perspiration. The mucilage found in burdock allows it to be used topically, when added to a natural cream, to soothe redness, eczema, rashes, inflammation and other irritations of the skin. 

As mentioned earlier, Burdock helps with the elimination of mineral deposits in the bloodstream, that can later aggress the organs. Well, this same quality benefits the scalp and hair also. Though it isn't widely known, the mineral deposits that gather in the bloodstream also make their way to the pores of the scalp. These same mineral deposits prevent hair growth because the hair it cannot penetrate the hard minerals. Imagine trying to knock a door down with a wet noodle. It's a very similar comparison. In turn, the scalp is unable to receive any nutrients that are is applied to it. In many cases, this is particularly harmful to hair growth because these deposits cannot be washed out with shampoo. However, there are many ways to prepare burdock root rinses that can be applied directly to the scalp. When used as a scalp treatment, they can be applied to improve hair strength, shine and body, help reverse scalp conditions, and combat hair loss. The oil extract of burdock root can be used as a natural hair oil. This way, it will assist in alleviating scalp itching, redness and dandruff, while promoting healing of skin and scalp conditions as well as improve hair strength, shine and body. The oil extract is another good alternative to ridding the scalp of minerals as well. Similar to marshmallow root powder, burdock root powder can be boiled and the resulting tea used for inflamed or irritated skin and scalp, including psoriasis. 

Poultice: Simmer fresh, chopped burdock leaves for up to five minutes. Drain, squeezing out the liquid. Cool until warm. Apply to the affected area and secure with a clean strip of cotton gauze. A little oil applied to the skin first may keep the poultice from sticking when dry. Prepare a fresh poultice every few hours until the desired relief is obtained. 

Herbal Rinse: Cut 1 or 2 very thin slices of the burdock root and add it to about 3 to 4 cups of apple cider vinegar. Add about 1 Tbsp. of aloe vera (juice is preferred for the consistency, but gel will work fine) and stir well. If desired, you may add a little calendula or chamomile for their soothing properties as well, but this remedy will work fine without them. Apply small amounts of the mixture directly to the scalp, leaving plenty of space between applications. This rinse will exfoliate the scalp and ease irritations. This mixture can be applied once every two weeks and will last quite a while. *It is important, when using the raw plant to make sure you purchase your burdock from a quality source, preferably in the fall when most of the energy is concentrated in the roots.