Burdock Root ~ Materia Medica

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Botanical Name: Arctium Lappa

 

2. Common Name(s): Burdock Root

 

3. Habitat and Growing area: Found throughout Canada in waste places. We have growing on our farm. I have noticed that it seems to grow where the soil has been disturbed. Can also be found throughout greater Europe growing in clay soil

 

4. Pertinent Information on the Plant:

• Alterative (Blood purifier)
• Liver cleanser
• Promotes healthy kidney function
• Diuretic (increases urine flow)
• Bitter (stimulates appetite or digestive function)
• Anti-rheumatics (easing pain of rheumatism, inflammation of joints and muscles)
• Diaphoretc (increases perspiration)
• Nutritive (rich in vitamins and minerals)
• Tonic (a substance that increases strength and tone)
• Digestive (stimulates bile secretion)
• Vulnerary (a medicine used in the healing of wounds)
• Laxative (substance that acts to loosen the bowels contents)
• Skin conditions (Psoriasis, eczema)
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Anorexia nervousa
• Compress for skin condition
• Gout
• “cooling”
• For kids – insect bites, cuts and scratches
• Menstrual/reproductive problems, could be liver related
• “Candy” for gut flora

 

 

5. The reference books used, author, page

 

Holistic Herbal

David Hoffmann

Pages 77-79, 85, 93, 94, 121, 143, 145-147, 183, 186, 190, 191, 200, 201, 216, 218, 226, 230, 243

 

The way of Herbs

Michael Tierra

Pages 13, 20, 32, 34, 35, 105, 106, 311, 312, 313

 

The complete Encyclopedia of Herbs

Nico Vermeulen

Pages 49

 

Family Herbal

Rosemary Gladstar

Pages 19, 28, 32, 51, 85, 100, 105, 176, 186, 189, 193, 201, 206, 218, 219, 221, 243, 277, 317, 318

 

Peterson Field Guide

Easter/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs

Steven Foster and James A. Duke

Pages 186-188