What is it?
A member of the daisy family that can grow more than four feet tall, burdock is a common weed with burrs that can stick to clothes. Native to Europe and Northern Asia, Lappa Arctium is now common in the United States too. In Japan and parts of Europe, Lappa Arctium is eaten as a root vegetable. The plant has purple flowers that bloom between June and October, and its dark roots have strong roots in homeopathic medicine.
How is it used?
Lappa Arctium has been used for centuries as a blood purifier, a diuretic to eliminate excess water, and a topical remedy for eczema, acne, psoriasis, burns, and more. Lappa Arctium (burdock root) is one of the key active ingredients in our organic eczema relief for adults and our organic eczema relief for kids.
How is it taken?
Extracts of burdock root can be used as a tea, dried powder, liquid, or tincture, or applied topically as with our natural eczema treatments.
How does it work?
Burdock root has many healthful properties. For starters, it’s loaded with potent antioxidants, including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acid. Antioxidants mop up damaging free radicals that have been linked to aging and disease. There’s more: burdock root also helps cool inflammation and has powerful antibacterial effects.
Burdock root also contains inulin, a natural dietary fiber and powerful prebiotic. Prebiotics are precursors to probiotics that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Consuming more fiber can prevent or relieve constipation, help you maintain a healthy weight, and lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.
Thinking of giving Lappa Arctium (burdock root) a try?
If you are one of the millions of folks who is driven to distraction by the itchy and inflamed skin of eczema, consider trying our natural skin care treatments for eczema. Just a few drops rubbed into the affected skin three to four times a day, make sure to store it in a cool dark place, and tighten the cap after use to prevent oxidation.
Where can I learn more?
The medical literature is filled with information on the healing powers of Lappa Arctium or burdock root.
Check out these articles:
Mount Sinai Medical Center. Burdock.
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/burdock
Chan Y-S, et al. (2011). A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10787-010-0062-4
Maghsoumi-Norouzabad L, et al. (2014). Effects of Arctium lappa (Burdock) root tea on inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25350500/
