Burdock is a member of the thistle family. It is a biennial plant with large woolly leaves and produces prickly globe-shaped flowers. Burdock's roots, which grow to about 3 feet in length, can be eaten as a vegetable and are favored in Asian cuisines. The leaves and flower stalks are also eaten when the plant is young. Burdock root is reputed to have medicinal properties, some of which have been investigated in scientific studies. Consult your doctor before using burdock root to treat an illness.
Anti-Inflammatory
Arctigenin, an active compound in burdock, a Chinese medicinal herb was shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in a study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "Chinese Medicine." In the tissue culture study, arctigenin inhibited prduction of certain white blood cells and suppressed inflammatory interleukin and interferon molecules. Higher concentrations produced increased anti-inflammatory effects. The researchers concluded that the results of their preliminary study support the traditional use of burdock to relieve inflammation.
Antioxidant
Antioxidant activity of burdock was demonstrated in a study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine." In the tissue culture study of human cancer cell, burdock root extracts showed free-radical scavenging ability of phenolic antioxidant compounds such as arctigenin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. The researchers noted higher antioxidant activity and selective activity for specific forms of cancer in certain extraction techniques more than others, which will guide future research into the best uses of these antioxidant and anti-cancer compounds.
Memory Loss
Burdock seeds may be useful in preventing memory loss, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the journal "Planta Medica." Constituents arctiin and arctgenin in burdock seeds showed ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in muscle function and also in areas of the brain associated with storage and retrieval of memory. Doses of 30 mg per kg body weight and 60 mg per kg body weight of artigenin reversed memory deficits by up to 73 percent, in the study.
Skin Conditions
Burdock may be useful in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the journal "Clinical and Molecular Allergy." In the study, burdock extract significantly inhibited inflammation and certain enzymes associated with the immune response that attacks skin cells in atopic dermatitis. The researchers concluded that burdock root extract shows potential in the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, such as atopic dermatitis.
References
- "Chinese Medicine"; Arctigenin from Arctium Lappa Inhibits Interleukin-Two and Interferon Gene Expression in Primary Human T Lymphocytes; Tsai WJ; et al.; March 2011
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Antioxidative and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of Arctium Lappa Root Extracts; Predes FS;et al.; March 2011
- "Planta Medica"; Arctigenin Isolated from the Seeds of Arctium lappa Ameliorates Memory Deficits in Mice; Lee IA; et al.; February 2011
- "Clinical and Molecular Allergy"; Antiallergic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Butanol Extract from Arctium Lappa L., Sohn EH; et al.; February 2011
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