Burdock or Arctium lappa is a common weed that belongs to the daisy family and is native to Europe and Northern Asia. Purple or pink flowers bloom between the months of June and October. Oblong, grayish-brown, compressed fruits are enclosed within the bur and consist of small seeds. Burdock's seeds along with its large, fleshy roots are used to treat a variety of conditions.
Composition and Dosage
According to Drugs.com, 15 to 30 percent of burdock seed is made up of fixed oils. Sugars such as arctigenin, arctiin and daucosterol, and some estrogen-like chemicals such as lappoal and neoarctin have also been isolated from burdock seeds. Burdock seeds are usually available in fluid extract and decoction forms. The classical dose consists of 10 to 30 drops of burdock seed fluid extracts, says M. Grieve, author of the book "A Modern Herbal."
Benefits
Drugs.com states that burdock seeds, along with roots, leaves and fruits, have been used traditionally to treat a host of conditions including gout, rheumatism, stomach ailments and certain cancers. The arctiin and arctigenin present in fruits and seeds have been used in Chinese medicine to treat the common cold. The seed and root extracts of burdock are effective diuretics and help increase urine production, says Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. They also lower blood sugar and may help treat anorexia. M. Grieve, author of the book "A Modern Herbal," also states that tinctures and fluid extracts from burdock seeds can help treat a variety of chronic skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. The oils present within the seeds soften the skin and help relieve minor pains. Another study published in the September-October 2002 edition of the Journal of Biomedical Science indicates that burdock extracts may help protect the liver cells by preventing the free radical mediated damage of liver cells.
Side Effects
Burdock products are generally safe to use. Drugs.com states that burdock can cause itching, redness and swelling of the skin upon contact in some cases. They are also strong uterine stimulants and should not be used by pregnant women. Large doses of burdock may drastically lower the blood sugar levels, especially when taken along with hypoglycemic medications.
Precautions
As with any herb, it is important to talk to a physician before using burdock seeds for medicinal purposes to avoid possible adverse reactions and drug interactions. It is also important to buy and use unadulterated, certified burdock products as contaminated products can lead to allergic reactions and poisoning.
References
- Drugs: Burdock
- Botanical: Burdock
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Burdock
- "Journal of Biomedical Science"; Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa Linne on liver injuries induced by chronic ethanol consumption and potentiated by carbon tetrachloride.; Lin SC et al; September-October 2002
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