Burdock Root Benefits on Health

The consumption of burdock root benefits the health in many ways. Folk herbalists were convinced that burdock root worked best as a diuretic and diaphoretic.

For several hundred years now, the burdock plant and burdock root have been used for purifying and flushing toxins from the blood stream. In its capacity as a diuretic, the burdock herb and root increase the output of urine, thereby flushing out excess water.

Burdock is said to neutralize and eliminate poisons in the system, and it has been used historically as an antidote for acute poisoning.

The benefits of burdock root are immense and it is the root of the burdock plant that is most often used in herbal supplements. Fresh burdock roots contain polyacetylenes, which are phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that kill some types of bacteria and fungi; burdock has been used to treat both bacterial and fungal infections, including ringworm, urinary tract infections, and acne. Its antibacterial effects may also promote wound healing and help treat ulcers.

In addition, the consumption of burdock root benefits the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions, stimulates the digestive organs and also treats various stomach ailments.

It is believed that by using burdock root liver damage can be controlled and that the liver can be protected from further damage. Burdock is also thought to promote the flow and release of bile, which not only helps in cleansing the liver, but also aids the digestive process.

The mucilage, "bitter" and inulin content in burdock help to support good digestion, as well as soothe the digestive tract and help many stomach conditions.

Burdock root benefits the skin, too. Burdock root has been used extensively in the preparation of skin ointments that treat various skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Burdock root oil, also known as Bur oil, is used in scalp and hair treatment. It is said to effectively improve the quality of hair, reduce dandruff, and decrease hair loss.

Somewhere down the line, burdock gained popularity for its culinary use mainly because of the macrobiotic diet, which advocated its consumption. The burdock plant contains a fair amount of gob, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, amino acids, and is also low in calories.

Burdock root harvested in the first or early in the second year contains vitamins B complex and vitamin E. Trace minerals which are present include potassium, phosphorous, chromium, cobalt, iron, magnesium, silicon, zinc, thiamine and sodium. It provides inulin, a helpful sugar for diabetics and hypoglycemics, because it does not elicit rapid insulin production.

Dandelion and burdock is a drink that is very well known in the UK and is believed to be a galactagogue, a substance that increases lactation.

Burdock often ends up playing Cinderella when compared to more popular herbs like ginkgo, ginseng and echinacea, but researches will hopefully realize the true potential and value burdock has to offer. This will possibly prompt herbalists and botanists all over the world to understand and appreciate the various burdock root benefits on health, in particular its amazing potential in preventing, treating, and curing serious conditions like cancer and liver diseases.

Burdock Pages | Burdock Plant - History and Information | Information on the Common Burdock | Burdock Root Benefits on Health | Burdock Tea - Benefits, Uses and Preparation | Burdock Root Tincture, Burdock Root Oil and other Burdock Root Uses | Burdock Herb Research and Studies on its Health Benefits | Side Effects of Burdock Root - Caution, Contraindications | A Burdock Recipe or Two to Try

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