10/16/2025
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Burdock (Arctium lappa, A. minus) is a common w**d throughout temperate regions of the world. It prefers average garden soil & full sun, but will grow in wide variety of conditions. The root is gathered in Autumn (first year plant) or very early second spring. The seed in the autumn of the second year, when the seed is ripe.
Burdock root is a mild medicinal plant as well as a food. It is used in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. It is an effective treatment for lymphatic congestion with enlarged nodes that are tender to the touch.
As an alterative/antidyscratic, it is also used for inflammatory skin problems such as atopic eczema, psoriatic arthritis; osteoarthritis, gout, and gouty arthritis as it enhances uric acid excretion.
Burdock Root contains inulin, a rich source of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), which can help to promote the growth of the normal bowel flora. It also is soothing to the G.I. tract and can be useful for treating leaky gut syndrome, gastritis, ileitis, and IBS.
The young root, known as gobo in Japan, is edible and is usually cooked in soups or stir fries, and the peeled main stalk is a pleasant edible raw vegetable. The leaves are useful for pit cooking to wrap food and they can be burned to smoke brain-tanned leather.
The western use of Burdock seed is in protocols for dry, crusty, scaly, or itchy skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff.
In TCM, Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) is used in formulas to expel wind heat: for sore throat, irritative coughs, tonsillitis, colds or influenza with scratchy, painful throat.
It helps resolve “fire poison” conditions like rashes, boils, red swellings, erythema, and mumps; and to stimulate the eruption of measles and chicken pox.
This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, and not be a substitute for professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional. Image: Johann Gottlieb Mann 1828.