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What’s this
Burdock (scientific name Arctium lappa or Lappa major) is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family. It is a widespread species throughout Europe, easy to meet in our countryside. It can be recognized by looking at the large leaves, longer than wide, arranged in a rosette and almost silver in the lower lamina, due to the presence of numerous hairs. In addition to the leaves, the burdock is well identifiable during the flowering, thanks to large and globose flower heads, purple-red and surrounded by curved hooked bracts.
The species is used in herbal medicine and phytotherapy which uses its root. There burdock root it contains inulin, phenol acids, traces of essential oil, mucilage and other components that give it hypoglycemic, purifying, diaphoretic and antiseptic properties. Preparations based on burdock root are used to treat skin problems and to control blood sugar. In addition to the root, the leaves of the burdock can also be used, characterized by the presence of arctiopicrina, a sesquiterpene lactone with an antiseptic action. With the same indications, other varieties of burdock are also used including Arctium minus or Lappa minor and Arctium tormentum or Lappa tormentosa.
Property
Thanks to the active ingredients contained in it, the burdock root possesses purifying properties which are mainly used to treat skin problems. Burdock is included among the plants defined as “drainage” because its intake allows to eliminate the waste produced by the organism. Thanks to the burdock root it is possible to stimulate the production of bile and diuresis, regulate the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands and improve intestinal transit, so as to help the body get rid of toxins. In addition to its purifying properties, burdock root also has action antiseptic, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The leaves of burdock, on the other hand, have soothing and anti-itch properties.
What is it for
Burdock root is used to treat skin diseases and in particular:
- acne
- boils
- eczema
- cradle cap
- itchy skin
- excess sebum
- dandruff
In addition, preparations containing burdock root can help to control blood sugar and cholesterol levels and to promote sweating.
How to use it
Burdock can be used internally and externally. There root of burdock, available in herbal medicine as a raw drug, is used in decoction: the decoction is prepared with five grams of root for internal use and with twenty grams of root for topical use. On the market there is also the mother tincture of burdock, obtained by alcoholic maceration of the whole fresh plant. The mother tincture is used by diluting 50 drops in a little water, one to three times a day. Finally, for internal use, dry and fluid extracts are available to be taken in capsules, tablets or drops according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Internally, the burdock root acts on the function of the liver, intestines, kidneys and sebaceous glands, thus helping to fight acne, eczema and seborrhea. For this kind of problem, burdock can be associated with artichoke and violet, with which it works in synergy. Also for internal use, burdock root is a valid support treatment in case of high levels of LDL cholesterol (or bad cholesterol), hyperglycemia and type II diabetes mellitus.
Externally, the decoction obtained from burdock root and the infusion prepared with the leaves are used for washing wounds and ulcers and to disinfect boils and lesions caused by acne. Burdock decoctions are also used for cleansing oily skin, to prevent the appearance of boils caused by acne or folliculitis. The infusion of the leaves is instead indicated to counteract the excess sebum of the scalp and to relieve skin itching, for example in case of skin rashes such as hives, measles, rubella. With the same indications you can also use theburdock oil obtained by macerating the roots in olive or peanut oil. It seems that burdock oil is also effective in combating dandruff and in stimulating hair growth in case of alopecia or baldness. It is used by rubbing a small amount directly on the scalp. The treatment should be repeated three to five times a week, leaving the oil to act for at least half an hour before proceeding with washing. It seems that frictions with burdock oil, done consistently, can slowly stimulate hair regrowth if the bulb is not dead.
Contraindications
Burdock has no side effects when used at recommended dosages. It is therefore a safe remedy, contraindicated only in people allergic to one or more of its components.
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