Burdock is sometimes commonly referred to as “grandfather” or “Velcro” because it easily attaches to shoes, clothes or animal hair. The burdock is a well-known plant from the Asteraceae group, distinguished by spherical pink inflorescences with hook-shaped scales. It comes from the areas of Asia and Europe. Currently, it grows in various, temperate regions around the world – Europe, China, Japan, North and South America, Siberia. In Poland, where the burdock grows in the lowlands, as well as in the lower mountain parts (Carpathians and Sudetes), including roadsides or thickets, there are mainly three species of this plant: the greater burdock, the spider burdock and the smaller burdock. They are all quite similar to each other. The burdock is a biennial, tall plant (often its stems exceed 2 meters in height), characterized by high resistance to frost and unfavorable conditions. Prefers fertile soil.
flowers burdock appear on top of large, hard, fleshy stems that sprout from a rosette of leaves. It is mainly used thick and fleshy, with a pile shape and can reach up to 50 cm in length burdock root. Fruit burdock it is a small achenes which spreads itself.
Burdock it is usually treated as a weed, although it exhibits a lot properties medicinal. It is harvested for medicinal purposes in late fall or early spring burdock roots, but only those plants that did not bloom. Thicker fragments are cut and dried at a temperature of about 50 degrees C. It is also used in herbal medicine leaves and fruit burdock.
Burdock it is also used in the kitchen. They are a delicacy in many countries. You can pickle their tails (just like cucumbers). The edible part burdock jest root and leaveswhich are used in salads and soups. Roots with a bittersweet taste can be eaten raw (grated) or processed. After roasting and grinding, they take on the flavor of coffee.
Properties of the burdock root
Burdock for centuries it has been an appreciated medicinal plant that can be used on a large scale. It contains numerous polyacetylene compounds, small amounts of essential oil, phytosterols, numerous organic acids, quite a lot of protein substances and inulin (reserve sugar), mineral salts (mainly sulfur and phosphorus compounds). It is considered one of the most effective natural “boosters” of metabolism. Shows action choleretic, diaphoretic, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and soothing. Consequently, it can be used to improve the functioning of the digestive tract, it moisturizes and lubricates the stomach walls. Due to the large amount of polyacetylenes, i.e. compounds with strong antibiotic properties, burdock can be administered to colds and infections. The plant is also recommended as a way to detoxify the body after taking pharmacological antibiotics.
Burdock root It is also used as a blood sugar lowering agent in diabetics. This is due to inulin (which may help to normalize glycemia in the course of type 2 diabetes, as well as reduce insulin resistance) and arctic acid (which may increase insulin secretion by the pancreas).
Burdock root oil it is a component of many drugs and herbal remedies. Due to the fact that it contains lignans, which soothe inflammation, and thus – pain, burdock root It is also recommended as an aid in pain, especially rheumatic ailments. Applies It is also used externally to lubricate bruises, cuts and wounds. It soothes, tightens and speeds up healing.
Because properties inhibiting the secretion of sebum burdock used in cosmetology. Many natural cosmetics contain these ingredients. Extract or infusion from burdock root may be applied for rinsing hair to regenerate it. This plant can also help prevent hair loss caused by seborrhea and dandruff. Burdock root oil supports the condition of the hair and nourishes it. You can find it, for example, in the Set of cosmetics delaying graying of hair. Burdock root it can also support the treatment of eczema, acne, itchy skin, and boils.
Application of burdock leaves
Application burdock leaves it is also very wide. Herb is also used in natural medicine and herbal medicine burdockwhich show somewhat similar action do the roots. They are anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, you can use them externally on wounds, cuts or swellings. They are sometimes added to baths or compresses to soothe eczema, rashes and itching. They also inhibit the secretion of sebum, so they can work well in cases of seborrhea, and soothe excessively oily skin.
We recommend the Vegan normalizing cream SPF 10 Balance T-zone FLOSLEK, the composition of which includes i.a. burdock.
You can find burdock herb in the composition of ready-made herbal mixtures that have a positive effect on the human body. Order Herbs à la Essiac – a blend of herbs with detoxifying properties.