Continued from page 1
The root is principally employed, but
leaves and seeds are equally valuable. Both root and seeds may be taken as a decoction of 1 OZ. to 1 1/2 pint of water, boiled down to a pint, in doses of a wineglassful, three or four times a day.
The anti-scorbutic properties of root make decoction very useful for boils, scurvy and rheumatic affections, and by many it is considered superior to Sarsaparilla, on account of its mucilaginous, demulcent nature; it has in addition been recommended for external use as a wash for ulcers and scaly skin disorders.
An infusion of leaves is useful to impart strength and tone to stomach, for some forms of longstanding indigestion.
When applied externally as a poultice, leaves are highly resolvent for tumours and gouty swellings, and relieve bruises and inflamed surfaces generally. The bruised leaves have been applied by peasantry in many countries as cataplasms to feet and as a remedy for hysterical disorders.
From seeds, both a medicinal tincture and a fluid extract are prepared, of benefit in chronic skin diseases. Americans use seeds only, considering them more efficacious and prompt in their action than other parts of plant. They are relaxant and demulcent, with a limited amount of tonic property. Their influence upon skin is due largely to their being of such an oily nature: they affect both sebaceous and sudoriferous glands, and probably owing to their oily nature restore that smoothness to skin which is a sign of normal healthy action.
The infusion or decoction of seeds is employed in dropsical complaints, more especially in cases where there is co-existing derangement of nervous system, and is considered by many to be a specific for all affections of kidneys, for which it may with advantage be taken several times a day, before meals.
Preparations: Fluid extract, root, 1/2 to 2 drachms. Solid extract, 5 to 15 grains. Fluid extract, seed, 10 to 30 drops.
Mythical Uses:
Culpepper gives following uses for Burdock: “The Burdock leaves are cooling and moderately drying, whereby good for old ulcers and sores. The leaves applied to places troubled with shrinking in sinews or arteries give much ease: a juice of leaves or rather roots themselves given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully help biting of any serpents, root beaten with a little salt and laid on place suddenly easeth pain thereof, and helpeth those that are bit by a mad dog:... seed being drunk in wine 40 days together doth wonderfully help sciatica: leaves bruised with white of an egg and applied to any place burnt with fire, taketh out fire, gives sudden ease and heals it up afterwards.... The root may be preserved with sugar for consumption, stone and lax. The seed is much commended to break stone, and is often used with other seeds and things for that purpose.”
And from Henslow: It was regarded as a valuable remedy for stone in Middle Ages, and called Bardona. As a rule, recipes for stone contained some seeds or 'fruits' of a 'stony' character, as gromel seed, ivy berries, and nearly always saxifrage, i.e. 'stone-breaker.' Even date-stones had to be pounded and taken; idea being that what is naturally 'stony' would cure it; that 'like cures like'
From “Wild Vegetarian Cookbook” by Wildman
This major wild food has long-stalked wedge-shaped leaves reminiscent of elephants’ ears, 2 feet long and 1 foot across. Unlike similar leaves, they’re white and fuzzy underneath.
The basal rosette of leaves stays close to ground first year and beginning of second.
Look for burdock in disturbed habitats, roadsides, vacant lots, and fields. It grows throughout North America except in Deep South.
You can harvest large, deep, beige taproot from basal rosette form (as soon as flower stalk appears, root becomes tough and woody) from early spring to late fall. Its hearty flavor is a little like that of potatoes, although it’s related to artichokes.
Scrub root with a coarse copper scouring pad, but don’t peel it. Slice it razor thin on a diagonal, oriental style, or use finest slicing disk of a food processor.
Simmer 20 minutes or until tender. You may also sauté it, but add liquid and cook it in moist heat another 10 minutes afterwards, or it may not get tender.
You may also harvest immature flower stalk in late spring, before flowers appear, while it’s still tender and very flexible.
Peeled and parboiled for 1 minute to get rid of bitterness, it tastes like artichoke hearts, and it will enhance any traditional recipe that calls for heart of artichokes. Cook this 5_10 minutes.
Burdock is a very important component in an ancient native North American herbal decoction, usually available as either powder to brew a tea from or as a liquid tonic itself. It is known variously by many names, but most commonly as Essiac. The basic Essiac Ingredients are.
1.Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) 2.Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) 3.Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) 4. Turkey Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum)
Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.
If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.
This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.
