Burdock – One of the most important healing herbs

Burdock – One of the most important healing herbs

When we are out in the wild, burdock stands out mainly because of its thorny flowers that stick on the clothes.

It is said that burdock was the source of inspiration for Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral for the creation of the very popular velcro, when in 1941, he took a walk with his dog in the woods and wondered why are these flowers so persistent in sticking on his clothes and his dog’s fur.

The most commonly known use of burdock is to treat and prevent hair loss.It also helps with treating various skin conditions and has blood-purifying action.

Burdock’s properties and application

Burdock (Bardanae radix) is known by other names such as arctium, lappa, fructus arctii, great bur and great burdock. In the past they used to roast the roots of the plant to make a type of coffee.

Burdock is a plant native to Europe, North America and North Asia. It grows in forests and alongside roads. The “medicine”, the healing product, is made from the roots of the plant.


Burdock is considered to be an antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory, mildly diuretic and anti- bacterial action. It also considered to be able to arouse the liver and the gull. Burdock has remained in use since ancient Greece. Later, the ones that turned their attention to the plant were Hildegard von Bingen and father Kneipp. They really appreciated burdock’s positive effects in treating hair loss and eczema.

One of its German names, Grindwurzel (“Grind” means scab in German), refers to the crust that forms on the wound’s surface. This is due to the fact that burdock has a positive effect on wound scabs, ulcer, nintis and psoriasis.

Due to its therapeutic properties, burdock can support the treatment of various skin and hair problems, digestive disorders, hormonal disorders, weakened immune system, infections, loss of appetite; It can also help with blood purification and detoxification, diseases of the liver, kidneys, gull, the urine bladder and the joints. Moreover, it can help with treating insomnia, stress and nervousness.

Burdock’s fields of application can be separated into two basic categories: the external use in the form of oil, ointment, tincture or brew and the internal use in the form of capsules, dust, tincture or brew.

Burdock can support the treatment of the following problems:

  • Hair loss
  • Skin diseases and wounds
  • Digestive disorders such as bloating and constipation
  • Hormonal Disorder
  • Weakened immune system and infections
  • Diseases related to the kidney and the liver
  • Diseases related to the gull and urine bladder
  • Loss of appetite
  • Joint pains, gout, arthritis and rheumatism
  • Insomnia, uneasiness , stress and nervousness
  • It also helps in blood purification and detoxification.

Animals, such as dogs and horses can also benefit from the healing properties of the plant. Oil from burdock root can be used externally for ulcers, abscesses and open or chronic wounds.

As an animal food, burdock is used as a dietary supplement for digestive disorders, diseases of the kidneys and the liver, skin problems and blood purification and detoxification.

How does burdock affect both body and spirit

The healing power of the burdock has numerous positive effects on our health. It has been used by doctors as a medicine due to its therapeutic properties since ancient times.

The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of burdock that actively promote health are a direct result of its rich components, namely, inulin, fatty acids, bitter substances, tannins, essential oil, mucal substances and more.

To conclude, there is a good reason why burdock is considered a natural antioxidant. It protects the body from what is known as free roots and helps exhume toxic substances through the skin with ease. This way, burdock root acts as a blood purifier, a detoxifier a diuretic and it also helps produce sweat.

Lastly, burdock is known for its potency as a sedative in cases of insomnia, stress or nervousness.