Found throughout the world, burdock root is an all-purpose botanical used in holistic healing. A member of the Asteraceae family, burdock root is known for its bright, colorful flowers and large, hairy leaves. With the ability to grow as tall as 9 feet with aromatic roots growing as deep as 3 feet, it’s also known for its size. However, aside from appearance, one of the most notable characteristics of the burdock root is its medicinal properties.
For centuries, herbalists have prescribed burdock root for a variety of conditions and have praised it as one of the best medicinal roots for your skin. When applied topically, burdock root has the ability to increase circulation to your skin. By increasing the blood flow to this area, it helps nourish your skin cells to keep them healthy and working efficiently. Increasing blood circulation will also help raise oxygen levels within the blood around your skin, and it can also work to efficiently remove waste products for healthier, glowing skin. When ingested, burdock root can also act as a blood purifier, lymphatic, and diuretic. This helps filter and remove toxins from your body while also balancing water levels that could be causing a puffy or swollen appearance.
Burdock root has been used in Chinese traditional medicine as a detox for centuries. While this is partly due to its ability to act as a blood purifier and diuretic, it is also because it has been cited to work as an anti-bacteria within the blood. Burdock root can also help clean and boost the liver. Your liver is responsible for processing and filtering your blood while also producing bile and excreting substances. A healthy liver is a keystone to a healthier life, and so keeping it in good condition is essential in holistic healing. Thus, burdock root’s detoxifying abilities are extremely beneficial in maintaining and regulating the health of different bodily systems.
Burdock root also acts as an anti-inflammatory. There are several conditions, ranging from osteoarthritis to autoimmune disorders, that have been linked to chronic inflammation. The results are sore and achy joints and muscles that can decrease your quality of life. Burdock root can go further than simply providing relief from inflammation, however. It also has the ability to target pain by reducing proteins that can trigger inflammation and pain responses. To treat pain, one of the best ways to take burdock root is through ingestion - such as through a tea.
While the most commonly used part, the root isn’t the only part of the burdock plant to be used in medicine. The entire plant is useful for a variety of different reasons, including the seeds and leaves. In fact, the leaves have long been praised for the ability to heal the skin from painful ailments such as poison oak and irritation.
As with all-natural remedies, it’s suggested you speak with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using burdock root, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, or using any other types of natural or pharmaceutical medications.
