herb of the month

Herbs of the Month - September

Burdock

This time of year I would turn my mind to the root herbs. One such herb is Burdock (Arctium lappa). Although the leaves and seeds are also used it is the root that is most commonly found on the herbalists’ shelves. This biennial plant is easily recognised when it is flowering and in seed by the extremely tenacious burrs that cling to clothing, hair or pet fur which can be a nightmare to remove. The root, however, is harvested in its’ first year of growth before the tall stalk develops. Care must be taken to identify the plant correctly and not confuse it with foxglove which looks somewhat similar; burdock has more rounded leaves. Burdock is possibly our most powerful detoxifying herb. It has antimicrobial action, being effective against staphylococcus and certain fungal organisms. It may be used to treat arthritis and gout, boils, abscesses, acne and eczema. It can help improve psoriasis and has been used as part of the treatment of anaemia and anorexia nervosa. It is reputed to help lower cholesterol and as a gentle but effective laxative. It used to be made into soft drink as Dandelion and Burdock and may be made into a cordial by simmering 1 part Burdock root to 2 parts dandelion root for about 1/2 hour. Strain off the liquid and mix with an equal quantity of sugar to make a syrup. Dilute the syrup to taste. It is best to start off with low doses of burdock as it can detox too quickly bringing about an initial worsening of symptoms.
Only pick burdock from areas away from busy roads and where you are sure that sprays have not been used. Do not pick wild plants unless you are sure of their identification.
If you are taking prescribed medicines, are pregnant or breast feeding or have a serious medical condition, please seek advice from a qualified medical herbalist before taking herbal remedies.