Burdock Photos

Lesser Burdock

Information about properties also applies to Greater Burdock, A. lappa

Botanical name: Arctium minus
Family: Daisy (Asteraceae)
Collectability: plentiful, good

Main benefit
throat and skin disorders, blood cleansing
source of carbohydrates - see also note on inulin in the glossary below

Use - overview


 Features and Identification

Habitat
Type: waste places
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: biennial
Height: up to 1m

Leaf
Shape: broad heart
Other: large with hollow stalks

Root
Type: tapering
Colour: dark
Size: big

Flower
Shape: egg
Diameter: up to 30mm
Petals/sepals: hooked bracts
Arrangement: short-stalked spikes
Colour:

 Distribution Map

 Caution Notes

Seeds contain arctiin, a substance which can cause convulsions, increased respiration, later paralysis, also lowers blood pressure. It has shown anti-cancer effects. Arctiin belongs to a group of chemicals called lignans, which are phytoestrogens and antioxidant.

The fibreglass-like seed hairs are a skin irritant, and may be irritant by inhalation.

 When Available?

June and July
May to July
all year - see note under Collection below
July to September
August to October

 Culinary Use

Flavour
Description:
mucilaginous

How to Consume
young: raw
raw
(best young) raw, roasted, lactic soda
young: raw
sprouted

Special preparation
peel

Nutrition
inulin (up to 45%)

Used as ...
food
food, beverage (coffee substitute, lactic soda)

 Medicinal Use

Action:
Whole plant: antibacterial, anti-fungal, carminative
dried (possibly ): aperient, cholagogue, depurative (eliminates heavy metals), diaphoretic, diuretic, glucose-modulatory, vasodilator
anti-inflammatory, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, glucose-modulatory, vasodilator

May treat:
throat, skin and other infections. Also has all the benifits of inulin.
throat/skin disorders; poultice (crushed): bruises, burns, sores

 Other Use

paper

 Collection, Storing and Notes

Collecting
in 1st year before leaves die back, and in 2nd year before flowering stem is 10cm high

Drying
dry to store

 Key

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

 Glossary

General Glossary

  • bract: leaf of scale below calyx; parts of cone
  • calyx: collection of individual or, usually, joined sepals
  • sepal: protects bud before flower opens, forms leaf-like ring at base of flower, usually green

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

  • antibacterial: kills bacteria
  • anticancer: used in the treatment of cancer
  • anti-fungal: inhibits or destroys fungi
  • anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc. (see also demulcent, emollient)
  • antimicrobial: helps the body destroy or resist pathogens (see also antibacterial and antiseptic)
  • aperient: mild laxative
  • carminative: prevents or eases effects of flatulence
  • cholagogue: increases flow of bile
  • depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
  • diaphoretic: promotes perspiration, aids the skin in elimination of toxins
  • diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
  • glucose-modulatory: the ability to help maintain normal blood glucose levels
  • hypolipidemic: decreases circulating fats in the bloodstream
  • Inulin: Inulin is a form of non-digestible sugar which promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. The slow fermentation rate favours the bacteria in the descending colon where a number of colon health problems occur.

    May be anticancer, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, glucose-modulatory, and treat intestinal infections, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, protect against osteoporosis, help correct problems of fat or glucose metabolism and may improve mineral absorption, especially calcium, and possibly magnesium.

    Eating large quantities may result in an increase of gas, bloating or bowel movement, especially with previous low consumption. Increase may also temporarily prolong colonic transit time and impair nutrient absorption until the colon has adjusted to a higher intake.
  • vasodilator: widens blood vessels, reducing blood pressure

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