The burdock is part of the biennial thistles, in the daisy family. This means it blooms and flowers every two years. This plant can grow up to twenty-eight inches and grows prickly heads that eventually disperse seeds. They can be eaten as a root vegetable as a young plant. Burdock has been used for centuries to treat health ailments. It contains needed nutrients and is low in calories. As a dried product, it is used as a blood-purifying agent to rid the body of toxins. As with any herbal remedy, consult a health care professional before starting burdock.
Cleansing the Body
The Japanese believe that burdock can clean the blood of harmful toxins. This means toxins would be flushed out with the urine. Burdock has diuretic effects that clear excess fluid in the body through urination. Ridding the body of excess fluid results in less water retention. This is a benefit for the bladder because retained fluid, or urine, may encourage bacterial growth leading to a urinary tract infection. Burdock also has anti-inflammatory qualities. Inflammation is excess edema, or fluid, in the body as well. Inflammation can be seen in the surrounding tissue of a bug bite in the form of puffiness.
Preparation of Burdock Tea
Burdock tea is very simple to make. The tea is made from burdock leaves and can be found in specialty tea stores or online specialty sites. Some people mix dandelion leaves in with the tea for additional flavor. Dandelion can also be found in specialty shops. To prepare, mix one teaspoonful of burdock tea with one cup of water and bring to a boil. Next, let it simmer for fifteen minutes. Sugar and milk can be added. It can be enjoyed at every meal or as an afternoon treat on a cold day.
How Burdock Benefits the Skin
The Pennsylvania Dutch believe various skin ailments like acne, warts and abscesses are toxins in the skin. All of these conditions do involve bacteria and foreign debris causing redness and inflammation on the skin. The Pennsylvania Dutch use traditional methods for treatment rather than medical approaches. They use the burdock root to make a strong tea to cure skin ailments. Applied externally, bacteria and excess oil are removed. If there is not an environment for germs, a clearer complexion results.
Helping Indigestion
Burdock tea is believed to help stimulate the secretion of bile, according to the West PA Chefs website. Without bile production from the gallbladder, oily foods could not be digested easily, leading to indigestion and various gastrointestinal problems. Protein-rich foods are also easily digested and metabolized thanks to bile. Also, as the gallbladder is stimulated, gallstone formation is less likely to result; bile ducts are less likely to become obstructed.
Used as a Complementary Therapy
Burdock consumed as a tea is believed to have benefits for cancer patients, according to Komen.org. Used in conjunction with medical therapy, burdock relieves inflammation and may also boost the immune system. This optimizes the body's defenses for healing. Cancer is known to break down the immune system and the body's barrier to fight off viruses, colds and the flu. In turn, the body combats multiple problems, not just the cancer. Three cups of burdock tea a day is recommended in complementary therapy.
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