Plants talk to you if you are willing to listen.
When they show up in big ways, they are telling you that you may need their medicine. And they are here for you.
Since I have become aware, burdock root has shown up in my yard every year over the past 3 years. However, this year it has announced itself in a BIG way.
I cannot descend the deck’s steps without moving around it.
It is everywhere. And all around. And it says, “look at me!”
No, it is not a weed. And I will not cut it down.
And guess what? It is exactly what my body and spirit needs!
A Little About Burdock Root
Burdock is the name of a genus of the flowering biennial, whose scientific name is Arctium lappa. The name arctium, from the Greek arctos means bear. In Native American medicine it is considered Bear Medicine because it its sweet, oily roots are a bear’s favorite food after a winter’s hibernation. The roots stimulate the gallbladder, liver, thyroid and adrenals and encourages the digestion and metabolism of fats and proteins. The metabolism of the bear is dependent on these organs for storage and utilization of fats and proteins.
Burdock root has been used therapeutically in Europe, North America and Asia for a few thousdand years. The roots, seeds and leaves of burdock have been investigated based on its uses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It can be utilized as a tea, tincture and as a nourishing food quality herbal medicine over long periods time. All forms offer restorative goodness. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is good for Vatta (dry) people.
Using the Doctrine of Signatures to Identify its Actions
Large leaves signify skin and lungs or large surface area for breathing and perspiration.
Burdock heads reflect the use of the plant for hair loss due to scalp problems.
Color – purple stem – blood purifier, remedies for deep inflammatory processes.
dry bur at sunset. Shallow depth of field
The burdock heads, or small burrs, can get stuck on your trousers or socks when walking in the woods. They burrow in and hitch a ride to spread their seeds far and wide… which may also be a reason why burdock is all over my yard.
Burdock burrs may have been the inspiration for Velcro; who really knows. But don’t just throw them away. You can soak the burrs in water overnight and make a tea in the morning to improve memory…. if you remember. Nonetheless, burdock’s root have many valuable medicinal benefits.
The Health Benefits of Burdock Root:
Besides being well known as an alterative herb or blood purifier, it has many benefits to health and healing when used as a tonic. It is a diuretic and diaphoretic (opens pores to release heat).
Relaxes Tension
This plant has a high concentration of potassium and therefore has an impressive ability to lower blood pressure. As a vasodilator, it helps to relieve tension within the cardiovascular system by relaxing blood vessels and arteries, thereby benefitting atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
Aids in Digestion
The bitter quality of burdock stimulates the secretion of all peptic juices, such as bile and hydrochloric acid, which promote the absorption of fats and oils through the small intestine, increases the activity of the gallbladder, and increased processing of oils by the liver.
dry bur at sunset. Shallow depth of field
When there is poor secretion of bile, indicated by dry stool and constipation, Burdock Root is a go-to herb. Burdock also helps reduce gas, bloating, cramping, and ulcers. It contains inulin, a type of fiber, able to reduce inflammation in the gut (Leaky gut). Other inulin-rich foods include onion, garlic, and asparagus. Inulin is a prebiotic so it feeds the beneficial bacteria that live and work in your gut. Start out slowly if using as a tincture since you may experience a few days of gas and bloating as the happy bacteria get used to what’s new on the menu. Research also shows that inulin may also protect against diabetes, both in the development of diabetes and in reducing the severity of symptoms.
Liver Detoxifier
Burdock is well known for its ability to detoxify the liver, which means it also leads to clearer and healthier skin. It is associated with dry, scaly skin conditions and dry skin in general. In fact, burdock is indicated for all skin diseases, especially eczema, either taken alone or combined with other remedies, such as Yellow Dock.
Kidney Strengthener
Burdock’s oily roots benefit dry and atrophic conditions where there is a need to increase moisture and secretions to nourish tissue and for gentle cleansing. It is used when the skin and kidneys are involved. It is suited to “affection of the kidneys, such as atrophy or wasting away,” writes Richard Hool, from 1922. This occurs with dry tissues, though there are local areas of water retention – edema.
Endocrine and Immune System Balancer
Herbalist Matthew Wood writes:
With a lack of fats and oils, there is reduced anabolism of lipids for the body to use, with wasting and dryness. In order to get nutrition there may be dependence on “quick fixes” of sugar. Thus, it is a remedy for sugar imbalances. Since steroid and sex hormones are made from oil and require oil for transmission through the body, and all hormones of any kind require adequate fluids for movement, burdock comes up as something of an endocrine and female remedy.
Fresh Burdock roots
Burdock root nourishes the pituitary and balances hormones. With its high levels of Vitamins C and E, it is a powerful antioxidant to help eliminate free radicals and strengthen the immune system. While not considered a nervine, herbalist Jim McDonald says burdock root is “relevant during stressful transitions in life, be they associated with external stress, metabolic changes, or emotional upheaval.”
This plant shows up for me and I respond by incorporating its healing benefits as an herbal supplement. I use its medicine, along with acupuncture, to move stuck energy. TCM unites kidneys, lungs, and spleen as one. Burdock roots can be harvested in the Fall, when the energy of its leaves returns to the roots. Sautéed in butter and eaten as part of a nutritious meal, the benefits continue on through the winter months as bear medicine.
Rosanne Lindsay is a writer and Naturopath. She is a health freedom advocate and the author of two books, The Nature of Healing: Heal the Body, Heal the Planet, and her latest book based on her own story of thyroid disease reversal: Free Your Voice, Heal Your Thyroid, Reverse Thyroid Disease Naturally. Find her on Facebook at Rosanne Lindsay and Natureofhealing. Consult with her (Skype or Zoom consults available) at natureofhealing.org. Subscribe to her blog at http://www.natureofhealing.org/blog/.
