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Health Benefits of Burdock Root, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 02, 2020

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Burdock root has been since time immemorial used in holistic medicine and Chinese medicine as an herb that helps treat problems like indigestion, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, etc.

The whole plant of the burdock is highly endowed with properties – its seeds and leaves can be dried and used to extract burr oil, its leaves and stems are also significantly useful in fields of herbal and alternative medicine. Burdock tea is widely known throughout the world while the Japanese even use the plant in their food.

Burdock

Burdock roots are long and greyish white in colour. Not visibly appealing, the roots greatly benefit the human body. It acts as a major detoxification agent for the blood and skin. The phytochemicals present in the roots is also considered to essentially benefit the hair.

The large leaves of burdock are dark green in colour with a wooly texture with its shape resembling a heart. Belonging to the same family as the artichoke, burdock roots are sweetish pungent in taste while the leaves leave behind a taste same as artichoke.

Nutritional Value of Burdock

Commonly known as arctium, burdock is essentially known as a detoxifying agent that purifies the blood by eliminating toxins. It is diaphoretic and diuretic in nature and the oil extracted from the burdock root is highly rich in phytosterols and essential fatty acids.

Burdock plant contains antioxidants in huge quantities in addition to having fiber, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6 in proportionate quantities. The root of the burdock contains riboflavin, folic acid, pyridoxine, niacin vitamin E and vitamin C.

Nutritional facts Per 100 Grams

72
Calories
0.2 g
Total Fat
5 mg
Sodium
308 mg
Potassium
17 g
Total Carbohydrate
1.5 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

0.04
Calcium
5 %
Vitamin C
4 %
Iron
10 %
Vitamin B-6
9 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of Burdock

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Burdock roots and plant parts are used in ayurvedic treatment. It contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties used to treat skin problems. Burdock root benefits for the liver and hair other health problems which are mentioned below. Also, check out how you can consume or use burdock root in different ways. It offers some side effects, need to consult an experienced while consuming in pregnancy.

Benefits of burdock root for skin care

Burdock root enriched with detoxifying and healing properties, burdock efficiently treats skin problems like acne, measles, eczema and tackles dry skin.

To attain a healthy skin, burdock can be consumed internally in the form of tea, applied externally in the form of oil or a face pack prepared by grinding the leaves and adding oatmeal to it. It gives fresh and healthy skin devoid of scars and dullness.

Use of burdock root for weight loss

Owing to its diphoretic properties, burdock helps in flushing out toxins from the body in an attempt to detoxify it and enhance the functioning of the body systems. Burdock root helps in weight loss and can be included in the daily diet of people intending to lose weight. Since burdock marks very low on its calorie count, it is an ideal choice to lose weight naturally.

Burdock root boosts the immune system

In addition to its ability to ably detoxify the body, burdock root is also antibacterial in nature. By flushing out the unnecessary toxins from the body, it also helps in getting rid of bacteria and preventing future invasions; thus boosting the immune system of the body.

Burdock root good for arthritis pain

Owing to its efficiency in anti-inflammatory properties, burdock helps alleviate symptoms and pain associated with arthritis. Tea prepared out of the root of the burdock especially is known to subside inflammation and oxidative stress generally noted in people suffering from osteoarthritis and severe joint pain.

Burdock root for cancer patients

Research suggests that burdock root is equipped with high cancer fighting properties. Owing to its properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and detoxification, burdock stunts the growth and multiplication of cancerous cells in the body. Its ability to boost the immune system also enables its use to not allow the recurrence of cancerous tumors in the body.

Burdock root improves digestive system

Owing to its high efficiency in detoxifying the body of all unnatural and unnecessary substances, burdock root treats problems like indigestion, acidity and constipation. Owing to the presence of polysaccharides like insulin, the substances combine to act as laxatives while also improving the appetite.

Burdock root balances blood sugar levels

The root of the burdock naturally contains insulin making it an excellent choice for diabetic patient to naturally control their blood sugar levels. Research also suggests that burdock can be essentially used to alleviate conditions arising out of diabetes especially a condition like diabetic retinopathy.

Burdock root for liver cleanse and detox

Considered as one of the best and highly effective benefits of the burdock root is its ability to cure liver disorders. Owing to its detoxifying properties, it ensures that the liver is free of any harmful chemicals and toxins while enabling the release of bile. This results in an anti-carcinogenic function preventing the liver from problems such as hepatitis, gall stones and inflammation.

Burdock root cures tonsillitis and sure thorat

Burdock is widely known to treat tonsillitis that is caused due to a bacterial infection of the inflammatory virus. Burdock roots helps fight the condition by enabling tissue healing, relieving cough, sore throat, pain and alleviating inflammation.

Vaccination for rheumatism

Burdock root is highly known to keep any inflammatory agents away from the body. It also acts as an enforcer of enhanced blood circulation. It is thus, an effective substance in treating and/or preventing the inflammatory condition called rheumatism.

Burdock tea in common cold

Burdock, since a long time has been used as an ingredient in common medicine. It has widely been under use to treat fever, sore throat, cold and cough. Burdock root holds anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-pyretic properties help tackle problems such as the ones mentioned. Also, owing to its diaphoretic properties, burdock helps the body perspire, ably bringing down fever as a result of this action.

Burdock root good for kidneys stones

A natural detoxifier, burdock roots ensures that all unwanted toxins are flushed out of the body and the body is devoid of the presence of any harmful chemicals. In addition to its efficient detoxification abilities, burdock diuretic properties enable an active renal system, eliminating any possibilities of an infection in the kidney, kidney stones and renal failure.

Uses of Burdock Root

Burdock has been widely used in traditional and Chinese medicine to treat and prevent problems such as cancer, arthritis, kidney failure and diabetes. It also aids in weight loss, gaining a healthy body, skin and hair. From basic problems like cough, cold to major problems like rheumatism, tonsillitis and arthritis, burdock root is known to be able to effectively alleviate them all.

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Burdock

People allergic to flowers may find that burdock is not a fit aid to treat conditions it is generally associated with. Burdock is also known in triggering blood clotting hence it is advisable for people with bleeding disorders to steer clear of its usage. Pregnant and breast feeding women are advised to not use the herb as it is believed to very rarely affect the fetus.

Cultivation of Burdock

Originating in Europe, burdock widely spread over North America and France owing to its healing properties. The plant is a habitat of sandy clay like moist soil rich in nitrogen. It is a common cultivation in Ohio and throughout the United States. In Turkey, the burdock plant is considered to ward off the evil eye. The study of this plant led to the invention of velcro by Swiss inventor George de Mestral.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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