Burdock
Arctium
lappa
This is the
‘greater dock’, a member of the Aster family, the Compositae.
Its leaves can get gigantic in the right soil, and in the fall it
sends up a stalk with many thistle-like flowers that quickly turn
into barbed ‘burrs’ that love to latch on to hair and
clothes. We harvest the root in the fall, usually from first or
second year plants as the root becomes quite branched and hard to
handle after that.
Elemental associations: Water
Phytochemistry: Bitter principles, flavonoids, alkaloids, inulin
Actions: Alterative, cholagogue
Specific systems: Digestive, skin
Burdock has
a set of actions which all relate to ‘moving’, or clearing.
It is gentle, too, and accomplishes its tasks with a downward-trending,
cooling energy, which resembles the growing pattern of its root
as it digs deep into moist soil.
To begin with, its bitter qualities have an immediate benefit on
the stomach, but it doesn’t stop there. Burdock gently works
on the liver and gallbladder, promoting the secretion of bile, thus
helping to eliminate residual toxins from our bodies and encouraging
smooth digestion. This ability to aid in the body’s detoxifying
process is again echoed in its traditional description as a blood
cleanser, with the power to resolve latent infections, and help
clear up eruptions of toxic blood on the skin’s surface. A
good, long-term regimen of Burdock tea or extract is usually indicated
for acne, and even eczema and other chronic rashes. The seed can
be added, too.
Our kidneys are constantly filtering liquids from our blood, lymph
and other body systems and eliminating harmful toxins from these
fluids. If the kidneys are weak, and the body is having difficulty
with its water balance, Burdock’s clearing power can help
reduce the burden of toxins shouldered by the kidneys, protecting
them and aiding in recovery.
Deep nourishment follows its cleansing action, which is very good
when we consider that mal-absorption of nutrients is most often
linked to a buildup of toxins and/or a sluggish digestive system.
Burdock first gently prepares the way, then provides the body with
a rich array of minerals dug from deep beneath the topsoil, easily
absorbable long-chain sugars, and even traces of FOS (starches our
intestinal flora favors). This double action, coupled with its cooling
energy, makes this one of the first herbs I think of for light cleanses
and fasts, as well as for recovery from protracted illness when
there is a loss of appetite and digestive function.
Indications:
Convalescence, skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis), digestive
congestion
Contraindications: None really
Preparation/Dosage: Decoction of the root, 3 TBS in a pint of water,
taken twice daily. The tincture can be made from the fresh or dry
root, 40%, 1:3 to 1:5. Take ½ tsp. 2-3 times daily before
meals.
