Arctium lappa L.Great Burdock Achene Extract.Burdock Seed.Burdock Root.

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Burdock Overview in History.

Burdock Root Extract INCI Name Arctium Lappa Extract CAS 84012-13-5 EINECS ELINCS No 281-658-8 Great Burdock Achene Extract photo picture image Burdock is also known by the names Bardane, Clotburr, Beggars Buttons, Gypsy Rhubarb, Gobo, and Burr. In traditional herbal texts, Burdock Root is described as a blood purifieror alterative, and was believed to clear the bloodstream of toxins. The genus name "Arctium" is from the Greek, arktos, meaning "bear"' in reference to the shaggy burrs. "Beurre" is French for "butter" as French women would wrap their cakes of butter in leaves of Burdock to transport it to the marketplace. During the Industrial Revolution, Burdock was used as a medicine to help people cope with the increasing environmental pollution. The Swiss inventor, George de Mestral, who invented Velcro? was inspired by the Burdock burrs that covered his dog; when he observed the burrs under a magnifying glass, he saw the tiny curved hooks. And in Hawaii, the roots of this herb are sometimes given as a "gag" wedding gift because of their aphrodisiac powers.

 Burdock is familiar for its hooked burrs; its botanical name is derived from the Greek arktos, or bear, suggesting rough-coated fruits, and lappa, to seize. The word lappa may also be derived from the Celtic llap, a hand, on account of its prehensile properties. The plant gets its name 'dock' from its large leaves, while the 'bur' is thought to be a contraction of the French bourre, from the Latin burra, a lock of wool. The Old English name for burdock was 'Herrif' from the Anglo-Saxon hoeg, a hedge, and reafe, a robber - or from the Anglo-Saxon verb reafian, to seize.

 Culpeper wrote' The burdock leaves are cooling and moderately drying, whereby good for old ulcers and sores...The leaves applied to the places troubled with the shrinking in the sinews or arteries give much ease: a juice of the leaves or rather the roots themselves given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully help the biting of any serpents; the root beaten with a little salt and laid on the place suddenly easeth the pain thereof, and helpeth those that are bit by a wild dog...

 North American Eclectics valued the seeds for treating skin problems and as a diuretic. In China the seeds, niu bang zi, are used to dispel 'wind and heat evils', and to treat the eruptions of measles, sore throats, unproductive coughs, tonsillitis, colds and influenza. Research has shown that the seeds can lower blood sugar in rats. In France, the fresh root is used for lowering blood sugar, its inulin content making it particularly suitable for diabetics. In Asia, the root fibre has been shown to protect rats from the toxicity of various food colours.

 During the Middle Ages, burdock was valued for treating a host of ailments. English herbalists used burdock root for boils, scurvy (a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, leading to bleeding, gum disease, and weakness), diabetes, and rheumatism (disorders characterized by joint discomfort and loss of mobility). Burdock also played an important role in Native American herbal medicine, and American herbalists have used the roots and seeds of this plant for two centuries.

 Burdock root has been traditionally used as a "blood purifier" to clear the bloodstream of toxins, as a diuretic to promote the excretion of urine, and as a topical remedy to relieve skin problems. In folk medicine, burdock has also been used as a laxative and to relieve inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Plus, there is belief that burdock may be helpful for kidney stones.

 Despite the fact that burdock has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions, few (if any) scientific studies have proven that this herb is a safe and useful remedy. Still, many professional herbalists find burdock helpful for skin and scalp conditions (including acne, psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, and wounds) and inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Preparations of burdock root are also used to promote perspiration and the excretion of urine and to treat ailments and complaints of the digestive system. Extracts of burdock root are found in a variety of herbal preparations as well as homeopathic remedies.

 Burdock root has been described as "alternative" and a "blood purifier." The burdock root was believed to clear toxins from the bloodstream. It may be applied externally as well as internally to relieve eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, it may ease painful joints or act as a diuretic. Ancient Chinese medicine combined burdock root with other herbs to treat colds, measles, sore throats, and tonsillitis.

 The primary active constituents in burdock include arctigen, calcium, chlorogenic acid, essential oil, flavonoids, iron, inulin, lactone, mucilage, polyacetylenes, potassium, resin, tannin, and taraxosterol. Fatty acids are contained in the seeds. Burdock seed oil may work as a diaphoretic, creating sweat, neutralizing and eliminating the body's toxins. The high amounts of inulin and mucilage in this herb likely explain why burdock exhibits soothing effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

 Burdock may provide a good source for minerals such as iron, the carbohydrate inulin, and essential oils. Additionally, burdock may serve as a mild laxative and assist in the elimination of uric acid. The herb contains polyacetylenes that have antibacterial and antifungal properties. By improving the function of many organs of elimination (i.e. liver, kidneys, bowels), many health conditions may be moderately corrected.

 Burdock is usually available in combination with other herbs as a tea, in tinctures, and in capsule form. Burdock is an effective diuretic, and is considered a very safe herb and food product as long as the root is pure. Reported cases involving toxic effects were first thought to be caused by the consumption of burdock tea, but were later determined to be caused by contamination of the burdock root with belladonna root, which contains atropine. Therefore, consider the source and quality prior to purchasing burdock root.

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citations1.Arctium lappa L.Great Burdock Achene Extract.Burdock Seed.Burdock Root.

last edit date:25th,May.2009.