Burdock and Its Benefits

[hawgrider]

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Burdock is our weed for need! Burdock is considered a weed in the United States, however in Japan and parts of Europe, they eat this plant as a vegetable. Yum Yum!

Burdock is a member of the daisy family. It grows three to four feet tall, has a flower that blooms between June and October, and has wavy heart-shaped leaves with whitish bottoms. The best part of this plant is the root!
http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/2015/04/burdock-benefits.html

[Pauls]

The root and seeds (when properly prepared....

Burdock root has often been used to purify the blood by removing toxins that can build up in blood. It can be taken orally or used topically as a remedy for skin disorders. Also, burdock root can be a diuretic or soothe aching joints. Traditional Chinese healers used burdock root in combination with other plants to make cures for colds, measles, throat pain, and tonsillitis. Burdock root was also popular in Japan as a source of vitamins and other nutrients. In modern times, burdock root has been employed in the treatment of certain cancers. However, this use of burdock root still needs to be systematically tested.

Historically, the seeds of the burdock plants were compressed to make a mixture that was effective in cleansing the bloodstream, easing pain from arthritis, and treating gout, rheumatism, ulcers, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Its cancer-curing properties were also utilized in Russia and India. The Chinese used it as an aphrodisiac, and found it effective in treating barrenness and impotence.

Burdock’s active ingredients are 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, which is essential in cleansing the body of toxins or harmful elements. According to traditional healers, diaphoretics are integral to treating influenza, gallbladder or liver disorders, and to aid the kidneys which purify the blood.

Burdock root is eaten as a vegetable in many places. It has many nutrients like iron, inulin (a carbohydrate), and beneficial oils. Also, burdock can be used as a gentle laxative and help eradicate uric acid. Some of the active ingredients of burdock are polyacetylenes, which are known to be effective antibacterials and antifungals. Burdock enhances the performance of many of the organs which purify the body and eliminate toxins or waste (like the kidneys, liver, colon, etc). This enhances overall health and helps correct disorders.

None of these effects have been tested in double blind laboratory studies. Eating it as a vegetable can some of the more common side effects. (excessive sweating and loose bowels)

[Baglady]

Lots of good info. Thanks.
I've been growing Thyme lately. I read about the medicinal properties, which are also said to be useful for cancer patients. So far I have only found that a tea can be made from the stems and leaves. Any other form of ingestion is said to be toxic.