Burdock Root - Organic

Ingredients: Organic Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Package: 1 oz Zipper Close Barrier Pouch

Arctium lappa has a rich history of being utilized in both western and eastern herbal practices. This adaptable root contains a multitude of internal benefits and has been a staple ingredient in Far Eastern cuisine.

For centuries, Burdock has been a key player in Western folk medicine and traditional Chinese remedies, hailed for its skin-cleansing and smoothing abilities. The entire plant is edible and highly prized as a vegetable in Asia, especially in Japan. And let's not forget its more modern uses - in hair tonics and cosmetics for mature skin.

A member of the Asteraceace family, boasts stunning pink-red to purple thistle-like flowers on long stalks. Its oblong to cordate leaves are abundantly hairy, adding to its unique beauty. With origins in Europe and Asia, this plant has made its way to North America and Australia, where it has become a naturalized species. Growing up to an impressive 9 feet tall, this plant possesses a vigorous and aromatic "carrot-like" taproot that can delve up to 3 feet below the surface, making it a challenging harvest. Found in abundance in the northern regions of the U.S and Europe, this plant has earned a reputation as a weed in those areas.

Derived from the Greek word for bear, "arktos," and the Latin word "lappare" meaning "to seize," the generic name "arctium" pays homage to the burdock's appearance; its rough, hairy fruit resembling a big, fuzzy bear, and its tendency to latch onto anything nearby to spread its seeds. The name burdock comes from the French word "bourre," describing a tangle of wool (often entangled with burs), and the German "dock," referring to its large leaves. Various species, such as A. minus or A. tomentosum, can be used interchangeably, but it is often confused with the entirely different cocklebur or Xanthium spp.

Cultivated in China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and in various countries in Europe.

The fall season is the perfect time to collect seeds, which can be separated from the chaff using a rolling pin. Harvesting the roots can be a challenging endeavor, but it is possible to complete the task in the first fall or second spring, with preference given to the former. According to the renowned herbalist Michael Moore, gathering fully blossomed plants in the autumn is just as demanding as uprooting a small tree.

Experience the all-purpose benefits of Burdock, a versatile and beloved herb with a rich history in Asia and Europe dating back thousands of years, and now increasingly popular in North America. Known as "gobo" in Japanese culture, this food plant offers both fresh and cooked options - from the young leaves that can be prepared like any other vegetable, to the stalks that have a taste reminiscent of asparagus and can be enjoyed raw, boiled, or candied with sugar.

Burdock Root has been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, known for its ability to balance internal heat and support skin health. With a cold, slippery consistency, it soothes mucus membranes and can be cooked to enhance its energetic properties and aid digestion. In European folk medicine, the seeds were often used as a diuretic and to promote overall health and digestion. Elevate your wellness with this luxurious Organic Burdock Root.

-Culpepper in his Complete Herbal, written in 1653, says the following about Burdock:

It is so well known, even by the little boys, who pull off the burs to throw and stick upon each other, that I shall spare to write any description of it……The Burdock leaves are cooling and moderately drying. The leaves applied to the places troubled with the shrinking of the sinews or arteries, gives much ease. The juice of the leaves, or rather the roots themselves, given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully help the biting of any serpents.

Culpepper, a renowned herbalist and astrology expert, revered burdock as a feminine plant ruled by the planet Venus. This influenced his preparation of burdock elixirs, believed to possess magical powers of protection and healing. Root necklaces, made from burdock gathered during the waning moon, were worn to ward off negativity and evil. Various Native American tribes, such as the Malecite, Micmac, Ojibwa, and Menominee, utilized burdock for skin health. The Iroquois would dry the roots over a fire for storage and future consumption, while also using the related A. minus in medicinal baths.

As per William Cook, renowned author of the Physio-medical Dispensatory in 1869, burdock is a key ingredient in a sophisticated family of beverages that includes yellow dock, spikenard, elder flowers, and ginger. Herbalist Matthew Becker attests to the potency and safety of burdock as a lymphatic decongestant, while also praising its subtle yet powerful effects as a long-term restorative agent. These beneficial properties are further enhanced by burdock's bitter tonic impact on the digestive system and its inclusion of inulin, which nourishes beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Praised by herbalists as the ultimate skin remedy, Burdock Root has a multitude of benefits. This highly effective herb promotes bile flow and improves skin circulation, while also acting as a gentle diuretic and lymphatic. As an alterative and blood purifier, it is a staple in natural medicine. Its leaves can be fashioned into a soothing poultice for poison oak and poison ivy, and a leaf decoction serves as a therapeutic skin wash.

Flavor: acrid bitter cold, sweet 

Dried root as a cold infusion, decoction, or tincture.

The ingenious design of Velcro was derived from the humble burdock bur. While hiking in the mountains, Swiss electrical engineer Georges de Mestral noticed these small seeds clinging to his wool socks and his dog's fur. Inspired by their "gripping" mechanism, he returned home to replicate it in his laboratory. His successful replication led to the patent and release of Velcro in 1955.

Precautions

No known precautions. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.