Burdock - a herb for skin support

Burdock, Arctium lappa, is a weed in the best sense. It's not too fussy where it grows, grows where it's unwanted and self sows prolifically. It also earns the name 'bachelor's buttons' or 'beggar's buttons', no doubt due to the burrs that attach themselves so firmly to animal coats and woollen jerseys. I can definitely see how they could be used as buttons in a pinch!

It is a biennial with impresssively large flat leaves and a long flashy tap root that becomes woody in it's second year when it shoots up a large flower spike. The flowers are burrs with purple petals on the end that turn into the spiky seed capsules that are so much like the world's most effective velcro.

The root is the most widely used medicinal part used but the leaves and seeds may also be used. The root is best harvested in the autumn of its first year. It is also eaten as a vegetable and is known as gobo in Japanese cuisine. Traditionally the leaves were used to wrap butter. They are milder than the root when used medicinally.

Burdock is a herb I mainly associate with skin conditions. Internally the root is considered to have blood cleaning (alterative) actions, meaning that they may aid toxins to clean them from the body. This then may support skin health where it is sore, dry or flaky with psoriasis or eczema or where there are boils. As it is also a bitter, it is thought to have an affinity with the liver. The roots are thought they may support the digestive system due to the presence of inulin. Inulin is a prebiotic and studies have proven this is be useful as many beneficial bacteria in the gut use it for food.

The leaves are more gentle than the root and believed to support the digestive system as a stimulant or the blood sugar. The seeds tend to be thought of where urinary support is required and the roots and leaves for the liver.

Topically, the leaves may be used externally where the skin has flared up and may be itchy or infected. This may be applied mashed up as a poultice or the tincture as part of a herbal cream.

A huge leaf of burdock