Burdock root, Burdock root extract. Blood purification. Diaphoretic. Prevention of alcohol poisoning. Treatment of diabetes, treatment of gout, treatment of bruises.

Burdock root and leaves - medicinal properties

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Burdock in the home medicine cabinet can be used as infusions, ointments and compresses. Moreover, all parts of the plant (root, trunk, leaves, cuttings and juice) find their use for medicinal and preventive purposes.
Burdock pollen makes excellent honey. In cooking, burdock leaves are often used to add a unique taste to soups, salads, main courses and confiture. During the hunger strike, burdock root was eaten instead of potatoes.
If we talk about the medicinal properties of this plant, then, first of all, it is worth mentioning its mind-blowing popularity in cosmetology. It is used in many creams, masks, tonics and balms for the face, body and hair.
In medicine, burdock is used to strengthen the immune system, prevent and combat diseases of the genitourinary system, gastrointestinal tract, as well as such complex diseases as cancer and diabetes.

Beneficial features

Thanks to the valuable elements in its composition, the beneficial and medicinal properties of burdock leaves are used to combat many ailments. They have the following effects:

Acne removal. An infusion of herbs, used as an external remedy, relieves inflammation and acne on the face. It also reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands and eliminates oily shine. To enhance the effect, raw materials should also be included in the diet;
Fighting skin diseases. Daily use alleviates the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema due to its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. Positive changes appear within 10-14 days;
Cleansing the body. Drinks from the leaves stimulate the liver and kidneys, which accelerates the elimination of harmful substances. For pancreatitis, hepatitis and cholecystitis, alcohol-free infusions of burdock are used;
A compress made from crushed leaves is effective in treating joints. It must be applied at night. A course of tea is effective for gout;
The use of burdock facilitates the progression of urolithiasis and eliminates inflammation of the urinary tract;
Taking decoctions helps relieve constipation because they have a mild laxative effect;
During colds and acute respiratory viral infections, drinks help lower the temperature and have a diaphoretic effect. In case of inflammation of the nasopharynx and oral cavity, it is necessary to rinse regularly;
Medicinal components improve the functioning of the endocrine system. As a result, the hormonal levels in the body stabilize;
For sunburn, it is recommended to apply a mixture of burdock leaves and egg whites to the affected area of the skin;
Vitamin drinks from burdock and other medicinal plants have a general strengthening effect and enrich the body with essential substances;
Women solve specific health problems with the help of burdock. What is useful about burdock leaf is the prevention of infertility, inflammation of the mammary gland, and uterine fibroids. In addition, with the constant use of medicinal drinks, the menstrual cycle is normalized and pain during its course is reduced.

Due to the large number of positive qualities, burdock greens have become widespread in folk and traditional medicine. In some cases, especially in the initial stages of the disease, it works even better than pharmaceuticals.

Treatment with burdock

Treatment with burdock
The burdock plant contains essential oils, resins and vegetable starch. Each of his products has found its application in folk medicine. They have a great effect on cleansing the blood and the entire human body. The use of burdock helps remove toxins, stones and salts. Burdock also helps fight joint diseases and gout.

Burdock root: medicinal properties, application

Burdock is one of the most actively used plants in folk medicine. Basically, its root has healing properties, but leaves and fruits are also used. The leaves are collected in the summer, while the roots are harvested in the fall. But if the plant is more than 2 years old, then you can collect the roots in late spring. The use of burdock is due to the presence of various beneficial substances in it, including:

tannins;
proteins;
vitamins B, A, E and C;
inulin;
polysaccharide;
sitosterol and stigmasterol;
palmitic and stearic saturated fatty acids;
essential oils;
trace elements - strontium, iron, zinc, manganese, boron, copper, tin.

Burdock - kidney treatment. Burdock root for kidney stones

Treatment of kidneys with burdock
Burdock is very widely used in medicine to treat kidney diseases such as cysts or kidney stones. In the early stages, in combination with other methods of therapy, the nephrologist may prescribe burdock decoction.

Here are the most famous methods of preparing medicines for kidney ailments based on burdock:

First of all, a kidney cyst is treated with burdock juice. To extract it, cut the washed burdock leaves and squeeze the juice out of them. For this purpose, it is advisable to have a juicer or meat grinder on hand, since the juice needs to be renewed every three days (this is the maximum shelf life of burdock juice). The resulting juice is taken the first two days, a teaspoon before meals in the morning and evening, the second two days - the same amount, but three times a day, and the remaining time - a tablespoon three times a day. The course of treatment is one month
To increase the effectiveness of burdock juice, add dried aspen leaf powder to it on the tip of a knife.
To prepare a decoction of burdock root, take ten grams of it and boil it in a glass of water for twenty minutes over low heat. Let the broth cool for about half an hour and strain it. We distribute one such portion of the decoction into three to four doses per day.
In order to make a compress from burdock, which helps to resolve a kidney cyst, we wrap its leaf with the white part to the area of the diseased kidney and insulate it with a warm woolen scarf.

It is advisable to apply such a compress at night, since its effect time is at least eight hours.

Method of use for various pathologies

Depending on the patient’s complaints, medical history, and the results of clinical studies, the doctor may prescribe burdock extract in the following dosage:

In case of poisoning with toxic substances or alcohol, as well as a pronounced hangover, use 0.5 teaspoon of the product (pre-dissolved in a glass of warm water) three times a day.
For gastrointestinal pathologies (pancreatitis, gastritis, peptic ulcers, hepatitis) – half a teaspoon per 200 ml of warm water, take three times a day.
For atherosclerosis and obesity, the solution in the above proportions is taken twice a day before meals.
For urolithiasis or gout, half a teaspoon of extract dissolved in a glass of water is taken after meals three times a day.
For ailments accompanied by fever or fever, dilute 0.5 teaspoon of extract in a glass of water, add a couple of spoons of honey, and take 100 ml three times a day.
For oncological diseases, the concentration of the solution is slightly higher - 1 teaspoon of extract per glass of water. Drink this liquid three times a day.
For skin diseases, the solution (0.5 tsp per 200 ml of water) is taken 100 ml three times a day. The benefit of such treatment will increase if you simultaneously make compresses, lotions or rubs from such a solution. For external use, the extract is diluted with water and also combined with cosmetic oil.
For severe hair loss and even total baldness, it is recommended to rinse your hair after each wash with a solution consisting of half a teaspoon of extract and half a liter of water. To enhance the effect, you can rub a cream prepared from burdock root extract (5 ml) with melted lard or natural cow butter (100 g) into the scalp before bedtime.

Important! Like any other herbal remedy, burdock root extract should be taken in a course, the duration of which is individually determined by the attending physician. Due to its naturalness and almost complete absence of contraindications, this drug can be taken for a long time.

Burdock as a diuretic

Diuretic properties of burdock
Burdock has excellent diuretic and diaphoretic properties.

In order to prepare a diuretic from burdock, add three hundred grams of its roots to eight hundred grams of boiling water and let them simmer over low heat until the liquid is reduced by half. Then we infuse the resulting decoction for about half an hour and filter it. Add a couple of tablespoons of honey to the cooled infusion. We take burdock infusion half a glass three times a day and a glass at night.

Burdock root for allergies. How to use burdock tinctures?

Burdock for allergies
Burdock has excellent antiallergic properties. It removes harmful substances from the body that can cause an ambiguous reaction. Burdock copes best with this mission in tandem with dandelion. Here are a couple of recipes for preparing burdock infusions for allergies:

If we use only burdock, then in the evening we pour two tablespoons of its root with half a liter of unboiled water and leave it overnight. In the morning, put the infusion on the fire, bring to a boil and simmer for about five minutes. While still hot, strain the broth and drink half a glass on an empty stomach. We drink the remaining drink over the next three times
In the evening, take a tablespoon of burdock root and dandelion, pour three glasses of cold boiled water and leave overnight. Place the resulting infusion in a water bath and heat for ten minutes. Strain the broth and take a third of a glass five times a day.
Take a tablespoon of burdock root, rose hips and dandelion roots. Pour all this into a glass of hot water and place in a water bath. Keep the mixture in a water bath for fifteen minutes, cool it and strain. We drink the infusion three times a day, one third of a glass.

Treatment recipes

In the practice of folk treatment, burdock seed is used for a variety of pathological conditions. It is important to select the appropriate prescription option after consulting a doctor.

For constipation

We offer several of the most effective options for preparing a laxative at home based on dried burdock seeds.

Pour 200 ml of hot water into an enamel saucepan and add 1 tbsp. l. raw materials. It is necessary to boil the composition for five minutes.

Leave under a linen napkin for a day. If necessary, you can reduce the infusion time to several hours. Strain the broth through a gauze filter.

1 tbsp. l. Take before breakfast, lunch, dinner. After such treatment, a positive result is noted by the end of the day.

Pour 10 g of burdock seed into an enamel ladle with 250 ml of heated water. Place the dishes on the stove over low heat. Boil the mixture for 15 minutes.

After fifteen minutes of infusion, the broth is drained through a sieve. It is recommended to consume 10 ml 15-20 minutes before meals four times a day. The course does not exceed two weeks.

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Place 1 tsp. burdock seeds in a bowl with 500 ml of cool water. Stand for five hours. Then you need to boil the mixture for no longer than six minutes. The cooled, filtered broth is drunk in small sips throughout the day.

A half-liter glass jar is filled with dry burdock seeds to 1/4 volume. Top up with vodka. Keep the container under the lid for three weeks in a cool place without light.

Tincture, strained through a double gauze napkin, 1 tsp. Take before meals, maintaining a fifteen-minute interval. The course lasts two months.

For colitis accompanied by impaired peristalsis

In the evening, pour 2 tbsp into a thermos. l. burdock seed. Steam with two glasses of boiled water. In the morning, the infusion is strained through a sieve. Drink 100 ml after meals. The course lasts 30 days.

For toothache

Among the variety of folk recipes that include burdock seed, you can choose options that effectively eliminate toothache:

Fresh burdock seeds are ground to a paste using a mortar. Squeeze out the juice - 50 ml, pour into an enamel mug. Add 1/4 tsp. fine salt and place the dishes over medium heat.

Evaporate for 30-40 minutes. You should have a cream-like consistency. Lubricate the gums every eight hours. Usually after three procedures, toothache caused by gingivitis subsides.

You can prepare a decoction for toothache by crushing 1 tbsp. l. burdock grains. Transfer them to an enamel saucepan, into which 1.5 cups of hot wine is poured.

Cook the mixture on low heat under the lid for a quarter of an hour. Then wrap the container with a warm scarf and leave for one hour.

You should rinse your mouth with a healing decoction every six hours. A similar procedure also helps with sore throat.

From chondrosis

Measure out 40 g of crushed dried burdock seeds. Pour into a bottle with 500 ml of vodka. Close the container tightly and keep the container in a dark cupboard with daily shaking for 14 days. After this time, the composition is filtered through two-layer gauze.

Use in the evening as a compress. Soak a soft cotton cloth and place it on the sore spot. Cover with film and wrap in a woolen scarf. Immediately lie down under a warm blanket, leaving the compress on until the morning. The course is a minimum of 10 daily procedures.

For boils

Burdock seeds help with the development of furunculosis. Various healing techniques based on this raw material are practiced at home:

Pour 300 ml of water into an enamel ladle. After boiling, add 15 burdock seeds. Cook at medium temperature for 20 minutes. Then leave it under a towel for half an hour and express it through double gauze. It is necessary to drink the entire volume of healing liquid at once. The session is carried out once a day.
If painful boils occur frequently, it is recommended to consume 12 burdock seeds every morning on an empty stomach. They must be chewed and swallowed thoroughly.
If a large number of boils appear, you can eat 10 seeds every eight hours for three days.
In order to get rid of chronic furunculosis, burdock seeds are crushed to a powder using a mortar. On an empty stomach after waking up in the morning, take a teaspoon for five days.

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For herpes

In case of frequent relapses of herpes, it is recommended to eat, chewing thoroughly, dried ripened burdock seeds - three pieces before breakfast, lunch, dinner (30-35 minutes).

Swallow without drinking water. Such procedures are performed within three days. It is recommended to repeat this healing cycle every four years.

From a kidney cyst

Thanks to its diuretic effect, a decoction of burdock seed allows you to treat kidney cysts. It reduces swelling and helps normalize water balance.

You can use fresh burdock rhizome - 20 g. It is chopped and transferred to an enamel bowl. Scald 400 ml of boiled water.

Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. Cooled and strained through gauze, 100 ml of decoction is consumed during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Maintain a monthly course.

For bronchial asthma

To make effective remedies at home to alleviate the condition caused by bronchial asthma, young spring leaf blades of burdock are used.

They need to be washed, wiped with a napkin and finely chopped. Combine with crushed aspen leaves. Take these components 1/2 tsp. Add fresh fir needles - 1 tsp.

Place the raw material in a glass jar and carefully steam it with a glass of boiled water. Add 1/2 tsp into the cooled infusion while stirring. baking soda. Cover with a lid and keep in a dark cupboard for a week.

The filtered product is consumed once a week, 1 tbsp. l. just before bed.

Benefits of burdock for the liver. How to use burdock juice?

Burdock juice
In the fight against liver diseases and hepatitis, it is recommended to use burdock juice. It is advisable to take May juice as a medicine. To do this, you need to collect burdock leaves and squeeze the juice out of them using the same juicer or meat grinder. Freshly squeezed juice can be stored for no more than three days.

Take burdock juice for the liver, one tablespoon three times a day before meals. Having taken the medicine in this way for a whole week, you need to take a break for seven days, and then repeat the course again, etc.

Burdock for gout

Burdock and gout
There are several ways to fight gout with burdock:

To make an infusion for gout, take two large spoons of dry crushed burdock root and fill them with three glasses of water. Let the mixture brew for a couple of hours and put it on the fire. After boiling for fifteen minutes, strain it. Take the resulting decoction half a glass three times a day after meals, warm.
For gout in the joints, grind burdock leaves to obtain half a liter of pulp. Add half a liter of honey and half a liter of vodka to them, mix everything thoroughly. We take this mixture three times a day, a tablespoon before meals. The medicine must be stored in a dark place - the refrigerator is not suitable
If you have gout on your leg, you can make burdock compresses. Take a tablespoon of dry crushed burdock roots and cook in a glass of water for about ten minutes. Infuse the decoction for forty minutes. We fold the gauze in several layers and dip it in the infusion. Apply a compress to the sore leg and insulate it with a woolen scarf or cotton wool. The compress is done at night, and after each procedure it is advisable to change the gauze or wash it thoroughly. The course of treatment is a month of daily compresses

Burdock for hemorrhoids

Burdock and hemorrhoids
For hemorrhoids, burdock medications can be used both orally and as baths:

To prepare an infusion of burdock, take a handful of its flowers and pour a liter of boiling water. Let the mixture brew for two hours and drink one glass per meal instead of tea. This type of tea is used for both internal and external hemorrhoids
To prepare burdock baths, dig up its root at the moment the flowers set, wash it thoroughly and cut it in half. Fill the burdock root with water and put it on fire in an enamel pan. After boiling, let the broth simmer over low heat until it turns brown. When the broth is ready, let it cool to body temperature and pour it into a basin. You need to take such baths for fifteen minutes three times a day. It is very important that the source of the disease is completely immersed in the bath. As a rule, burdock baths are taken for external manifestations of hemorrhoids

The healing properties of burdock for joints. Burdock in folk medicine: recipes

Burdock and joints
To improve the condition of human joints and relieve pain in them, burdock can be used in all possible forms: compresses, infusions, decoctions, ointments and creams. Here are some of the most popular recipes for such medications:

The most basic burdock compress is a compress made from its leaves. We take young, thoroughly washed and dried burdock leaves and apply them to the sore spot, previously lubricated with any vegetable oil. We fix the sheet on top with compress paper (ordinary polyethylene will create a greenhouse effect) and leave it overnight
The knee joint can be treated with a compress of several burdock leaves, folded with the fluffy surface down. Before applying the sheets, place a bowl of hot water on them. Then we apply all the leaves to the sore spot moistened with oil, with the velvety surface facing the skin. We fix the burdock with compress paper and insulate it overnight. It is worth noting that the course of treatment with all compresses is one month.
For painful symptoms in the back area, you can mash a burdock leaf and dip it in cologne. Then you need to apply it to the sore spot, cover it with polyethylene and insulate it overnight. It is advisable to carry out this procedure regularly for half a month.
An infusion of burdock with vodka is good for relieving joint pain. To prepare it, take crushed burdock roots, fill them with vodka and leave in the dark for two weeks.
To create the oil, pour eighty grams of burdock root into a glass of unrefined oil and leave for one day. After 24 hours, put the infusion on the fire, cook it for fifteen minutes and strain. It is better to keep burdock ointment in the refrigerator

The use of burdock in folk medicine

What are the uses of burdock root at home? Decoctions, ointments, oil extracts, and alcohol tinctures are prepared from it. Fresh leaves and juice of burdock are also widely used. The plant is often used in cosmetology and even eaten.

Pharmacy drugs

You can purchase ready-made herbal raw materials at the pharmacy. But you can’t find an alcoholic tincture of burdock on sale; it can be prepared at home.

Grass. This is ready-made, crushed plant material. Belongs to the pharmacological group of herbal antispasmodics. Most often it is prescribed as a choleretic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and disinfectant.
Herbal tea. You can buy burdock herbal tea in filter bags. In addition to burdock, other herbs are added - licorice root, chicory, blackberry and hay leaves, chrysanthemum, ginseng, orange zest. This tea is rich in high levels of inulin and tannins. It can be taken for a month, but only after consulting a doctor.
Biologically active additives. Dietary supplements can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription. But it is still recommended to consult a doctor before taking them. They can be in the form of tablets and capsules - dry extract of burdock leaves and roots. Dietary supplements are also produced in the form of liquid burdock extract.

Decoction

The decoction is used internally for gastrointestinal diseases, poisoning, to cleanse the blood, regulate kidney activity, reduce temperature, and stimulate the pancreas in diabetes mellitus. It is also a good bactericidal, wound-healing and analgesic external agent. Usually, more concentrated solutions are prepared for lotions and compresses - 2 tbsp. l. dry raw materials take a glass of water.

Preparation

Take 1 tbsp. l. dry root.
Pour a glass of boiling water.
Boil for 1 minute.
Leave for 40 minutes.
Strain.

Take ¼ cup 3 times a day before meals. Also, decoctions and water infusions are prepared from burdock leaves and seeds. Infusions from the leaves are best for stomach ulcers, gallstones and kidney stones. Infusions from the seeds are drunk for chronic constipation.

Tincture

Vodka infusion is often used externally - for rubbing for radiculitis, arthritis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is also taken orally for all of the above diagnoses.

Burdock root tincture recipe

Take 1 part of dry crushed root.
Pour in 10 parts of vodka.
Leave for 2 weeks.
Strain.

Take 15–20 drops orally 3 times a day, diluting in a tablespoon of water.

Recipe for alcohol-honey tincture

Take fresh burdock juice, honey and vodka in equal proportions.
Mix.
Leave for 3 weeks.

You can take 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day. Traditional healers recommend taking this tincture when salts are deposited, as a prophylactic against malignant tumors.

Oil and ointment

Oil extract and ointments based on burdock are good for burns, frostbite, trophic ulcers, boils, and joint diseases. Oils and ointments are often used to strengthen hair.

Preparation of oil

Take 1 part of crushed dry root.
Pour in 5 parts olive oil.
Leave for 2 weeks.
Strain before use.

The oil is rubbed into painful joints and weak hair roots for several weeks. This product is used to gently lubricate the affected areas of the skin. It can also be taken orally during a long course of treatment.

Preparation of ointment

Prepare a decoction of 4 tbsp. l. root powder and 4 glasses of water.
Take ¼ of the broth.
Add 4 parts ghee.
Heat up.
Stir thoroughly.

Numerous reviews confirm that burdock ointment is an effective remedy for the rapid healing of burns and wounds. The ointment also helps well with inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Rub the product over the sore spot and then wrap it up. Instead of cow butter, you can use another fat - pork or goose. You can add extracts of other herbs to the ointments - St. John's wort, string, oregano, strawberry leaves, licorice.

Features of the use of fresh burdock leaves and juice

How are fresh leaves used?

For itchy skin, the leaves are moistened in milk and applied to the affected areas of the skin for several hours.
For mastopathy, apply to the chest as a compress.
For erysipelas, apply leaves smeared with homemade (vershkova) sour cream.
Apply to wounds for quick healing.
Sore joints are wrapped in fresh leaves, insulated and left overnight.
Salads are prepared from young spring leaves and shoots - this is a good remedy for vitamin deficiency.

What is the main use of burdock juice?

This is an effective general tonic.
It can be used internally for all of the listed diagnoses, but only in diluted form.
The most effective treatment for liver diseases is burdock juice.
The juice is added to medicinal ointments, and masks for hair and face are prepared on its basis.
Heals purulent wounds and trophic ulcers well.
For dermatological problems, it is used not only externally, but also taken over a long course.
Fresh juice of roots and leaves is a preventative against malignant tumors.

The use of burdock leaf juice is the same as the juice from the root. But the cooking principle is different.

Making juice from leaves

Take young burdock leaves.
Pass through a meat grinder.
Squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.

This juice can be used together with a paste of leaves. It is useful to apply it to the affected areas of the skin.

Preparing juice from roots

Grind the fresh root in a coffee grinder.
Squeeze the juice from the resulting pulp.
Fill the cake with cold water (1 part cake and 10 parts water).
Leave the cake for 3 hours, then strain.
Combine the squeezed juice and water extract.

You can drink this juice 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l. within 4 weeks. A very wide range of pharmacological effects of juice: it is a good choleretic, diuretic, blood purifying, bactericidal, antitumor medicine.

Contraindications for burdock juice are the same as the general contraindications for the plant. However, you need to remember that fresh juice is more likely to cause an allergic reaction and side effects in the form of digestive upset. Let us emphasize once again: it should be taken in diluted form.

Application in cosmetology

For hair. Burdock root has been used in folk medicine since ancient times as a hair strengthening agent and for the prevention of baldness. Burdock root is used in cosmetology in the form of decoctions, infusions, fresh juice, and oil. Rinse hair with decoctions and infusions after washing. Fresh juice and oil are rubbed into the roots and scalp. Burdock oil can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared at home. Read more about how to use burdock oil for hair in our other article.
For face. Burdock decoctions are used to treat inflamed pimples and acne. Also, fresh juice from the leaves and roots is added to nourishing and cleansing masks and toning facial lotions.

The main medicinal properties of burdock root are anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antitumor, diuretic, and choleretic. Thanks to such a wide pharmacological spectrum of action, the herb is used to treat diseases of the digestive, urinary system, musculoskeletal system, diabetes, benign and malignant tumors. Externally used to treat traumatic, infectious, allergic skin lesions. It is also an effective skin and hair care product.

Cleansing with burdock. How to use burdock decoction?

Cleansing the body with burdock decoction
With the help of burdock, you can not only cleanse the entire body of toxins, but even cleanse the blood. Many claim that burdock is capable of removing radionuclides and toxic substances from the body.

After severe poisoning or undergoing chemotherapy, this plant will help get rid of the aggravating consequences and will expel heavy substances and toxins in the near future.

For cleansing purposes, both burdock juice and its decoction can be used. Here are some medicinal recipes:

To cleanse the blood, take a teaspoon of dried burdock root and pour it with a glass of water. Place the mixture on the fire, bring to a boil and let simmer for a couple of minutes. Drink a glass of infusion three times a day on an empty stomach. Cleansing should be carried out for at least two weeks
Take twenty burdock fruits (burdocks) and fill them with a cup of hot water. Cover the mixture with a lid and simmer over low heat for twenty minutes in an enamel pan. We drink a cup of warm thorn infusion three times a day on an empty stomach. The cleansing course lasts one month and is repeated no more than once a year.

How to dry burdock: choosing raw materials and sorting them

Burdock, burdock or burdock is a biennial weed belonging to the Asteraceae family and grows everywhere. The plant came to our region from the Mediterranean and adapted well to the climate. Surely many have had to deal with it, tearing off tenacious seed pods (burdocks), covered with small hooks, from clothes or pulling them out of animal fur.

The burdock is easy to recognize - it has large rounded leaves, of the usual large size, collected in a rosette. Burdock flowers are bisexual, tubular, with a corolla of lilac or mauve small petals. This is one of the few weeds that are considered edible and are especially valued in some countries (Japan, China, Georgia).

When and how to collect burdock

Collection time

Do you have an electric dryer?
Not really

The whole plant is collected for medicinal and food purposes: leaves, flowers, but dried burdock root is considered the most useful. Plants in the first year of life are best suited for harvesting rhizomes. Age can be determined by the absence of flowers, which appear only in the second year. It is better to dig them up in the spring in April-May, and also in the fall in September-October.

In the second year, you can collect roots only before flowering begins. Later they become tree-like, fibrous and hard, and the beneficial substances go into the flowers. After the seeds ripen, the burdock dies. The leaves are plucked in early June, starting from the lower tiers of the rosette, and the buds during active flowering in July-August.

Collection methods

You don't need a pruner or sickle to collect leaves - they easily bounce off the stems if you press them from top to bottom. Most often they are consumed fresh, and are rarely dried, as they quickly lose their properties in just 2-3 months. The same applies to flowers.

To dig up the roots, you need to dig up the plant using a fork or shovel, and then, having collected all the leaves, grab them with your hand and carefully pull them out of the ground. Get ready to work hard, because the root can reach 1-1.5 meters in length. It should be carefully shaken off, but it is better not to tap it. “Nailed” places often begin to rot, so they are no longer suitable for drying.

The optimal time to go “hunting” for rhizomes is 1-3 days after the rain. It is best to do this in the morning, after the sun has dried the dew. If there has been no precipitation for a long time, you can water the plants yourself generously and dig them out the next day or every other day.

You cannot collect any parts of burdock near livestock farms, city landfills, or large industrial facilities. Highways, railway lines, places of radionuclide contamination or shale gas production - it’s better to avoid all this. The plant collects many different substances from the environment, including toxic ones. By accumulating toxins, it can become hazardous to health and do more harm than good.

Preparation

It is impossible to dump raw materials in a heap and leave them unprocessed for several days. It is best to start processing on the same day, no later than 4-5 hours after collection. Flowers and foliage are not washed, as they can pick up moisture, which they then cannot evaporate. If they are heavily contaminated, it is better to first wash them at the root.

The roots will undergo more serious processing. First, they are separated from the aboveground part with a sharp knife, and then soaked in cool water for 5 minutes. They are washed under running water with a brush. Small roots are immediately discarded, choosing the most “fleshy”, dense and thick ones.

The roots are cut into small pieces 4-7 centimeters in length; if necessary, they are additionally spread lengthwise. However, many do not recommend doing this, since a lot of juice will be lost and some of the pulp will oxidize.

Burdock root for stomach ulcers

Burdock for stomach ulcers
For stomach and duodenal ulcers, burdock is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Here are a couple of recipes for preparing medicines from burdock for ulcers:

Take a large spoon of dry burdock root and fill it with half a liter of boiled water. Let the mixture sit for two hours and strain it. We drink an infusion of two hundred milliliters hot three times a day.
Take a tablespoon of crushed burdock and lovage roots and pour them into a glass of boiled water. Boil the mixture over low heat for just a minute. Let the broth brew for about an hour and strain it. We use the medicine three times a day, one-fourth of a glass

Medicinal properties of burdock and traditional medicine recipes

The healing properties of the plant's root have been known for a long time. The root has diaphoretic, choleretic, mild laxative, diuretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It also stimulates the pancreas, cleanses the intestines, and has a good effect on the general condition of the skin. Burdock root is an excellent disinfectant and antiseptic, eliminates itching and allergies, and destroys germs.

It is used to produce medicines that are used for wounds, diabetes and inflammation. Inulin, which is found in abundance in the plant, normalizes the number of leukocytes in the blood, improves metabolism, accelerates hair growth, and also prevents the deposition of salts and the formation of stones in the gall bladder and kidneys.

In addition, burdock root is considered the main component of some tinctures and decoctions that are used to relieve a variety of diseases and symptoms. These include:

biliary dyskinesia, chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hepatitis, liver dysfunction;
peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, gastritis, gastropathy;
ulcers on the skin, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, seborrhea, furunculosis, poorly healing wounds, acne, burns, trophic ulcers;
cystitis, urethritis, edema, urolithiasis;
rickets in a child;
failure of uric acid metabolism, gout;
as a detoxifying, antipyretic agent for infectious diseases, febrile conditions;
haemorrhoids;
for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus;
as a prevention of malignant tumors;
alcohol intoxication, poisoning with toxic substances;
rheumatism, arthrosis, arthritis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
in the form of “oil”, which is an infusion of olive and almond oils, is used to add shine, strength, and strengthen hair.

Benefits of burdock for skin

Burdock is rich in vitamins C and E. These beneficial vitamins can protect the skin from the effects of free radicals, which are recognized as one of the main causes of wrinkles. Vitamin C improves collagen production in the female body, which affects the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Vitamin E also protects skin from sun damage
Burdock root also contains folic acid and niacin. They are essential for maintaining youthful skin. It also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. They help enrich the skin with oxygen
Burdock is an excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, so it helps eliminate various pimples and blackheads from the surface of the skin.

Chemical composition

The following substances were found in the composition of burdock leaves:

high concentration of vitamin C (200-250 mg per 100 g) and group B (about 70% of the daily dose);
minerals - zinc, selenium, manganese, iron;
inulin;
essential oils;
tannins;
organic acids.

These elements give the plant anti-inflammatory, diuretic and wound-healing properties.

Burdock for strengthening and growth of hair (link to article)

Beautiful hair with burdock
Since ancient times, burdock was considered an excellent remedy for hair. Our grandmothers also preferred to wash their hair with a decoction or infusion of burdock instead of shampoo and conditioner. Burdock root, juice and leaves help hair recover in a very short period, nourish it and prevent hair loss.

Well, it’s not worth even talking about burdock oil. Every woman knows that this is the best remedy for stimulating hair growth. The composition of burdock allows hair to look silkier, shiny and healthy.

How to use burdock oil?

Burr oil

Burdock oil is used all over the world to combat dandruff, seborrhea and to stimulate hair growth. It can easily be purchased at any pharmacy or specialized hardware store. You can make this oil at home
When using, burdock oil must be heated and rubbed into the scalp with gentle massaging movements. Then it is advisable to cover your head with something cellophane to avoid the appearance of greasy stains and insulate it with a towel. After walking around with burdock oil for about an hour, you need to rinse it thoroughly with shampoo. The course of treatment with burdock oil is two months
In addition to hair, burdock oil can be applied to eyelashes. They also require care and nourishment. The oil will strengthen their structure and stimulate growth
Burdock oil is also used for the skin. It perfectly moisturizes it and normalizes metabolic processes.

How to use burdock extract?

Burdock extract
In addition to burdock oil, you can also purchase its extract in the pharmacy. Burdock extract is a concentrated substance from which many medicines can be created.

It can be taken orally in diluted form or as part of various infusions and solutions. Unmixed burdock extract has a very rich and bitter taste, so taking it in its pure form is not recommended. In addition, it is quite difficult to regulate the dosage of such a drug.

Contraindications to the use of burdock

Contraindications for taking burdock
A big advantage of treating burdock is the absence of contraindications. The only exceptions are pregnant and lactating women. It is better for them to consult a doctor before starting to use burdock.

It is also necessary to be careful when using medications based on this plant for people suffering from allergic reactions, as they may have individual intolerance to such medications, especially when used in large quantities on a regular basis.

However, no matter how beneficial and health-improving the properties of burdock are, before starting to use it for various diseases, it is better to get the advice and approval of a doctor. Since self-medication is sometimes worse than inaction.

Indications and contraindications for the use of the extract

Burdock root extract is used both to enhance traditional treatment and to prevent the following diseases:

Burdock root extract has virtually no contraindications. It can cause harm only if the patient has an individual intolerance to the constituent components. Also, taking the drug is prohibited during pregnancy at any stage and during lactation. This ban is associated with the acceleration of metabolism, as well as the possible elimination of toxins through breast milk.

Attention! Before starting use, you should consult your doctor. If during use the patient notices a worsening of the condition or the manifestation of atypical symptoms, the use of the extract should be suspended until all the causes of this condition are clarified.