Xanthium strumarium, or common pointed burdock, is a member of the pointed burdock genus and the subfamily Asteroideae within the composite plants (Asteraceae) of the order Asterales. This species of Xanthium is a neophyte in many countries, but is native to the Americas.
Occurrence and cultivation of the pointed burdock
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the pointed burdock is used under the name of Cang Er Zi. This plant has antibacterial effects and loosens the stuck secretions from the sinuses. The genus of pointed burdock has not yet been conclusively researched. This term is a generic term, as this genus of plants is divided into several species. There are the common burdock and the prickly burdock (Xanthium pungens), which in turn have different subspecies such as the sugar burdock, the oriental burdock, the Canadian burdock, the Italian burdock and the large-fruited burdock. Common Sharpshinned Burdock is a herbaceous annual plant that usually grows 10 to 80 centimeters in height. Occasionally, it can reach heights of 200 centimeters. They stems grow erect and branched without thorns at the nodes. The leaves are alternate stalked with a length between two to ten centimeters. The leaf blade is heart-shaped and triangular to pentagonal in shape, four to twelve centimeters long and three to ten centimeters wide. The inflorescences are basket-shaped and monoecious separated by sexes (monoecious). They stand together in aggregate inflorescences. The female flower heads with 30 to 75 bracts stand in six, twelve or more rows and form well visible and hard spines during fruit ripening. The black achenes are spread in thorny fruiting baskets. The name burdock is due to the barbs on the fruits, making them easy to get stuck anywhere. The burdock effect causes the plant to get caught in the fur of passing animals or on flotsam and spread. The plant prefers rich and heavy soils. The flowering period is from July to October. The name Xanthium comes from the Greek word “xanthos”, which means “yellow”. This is due to the fact that in the past yellow dye was made from the leaves of the xanthium plant.
Effect and application
Pointed burdock is used as a medicinal plant for various diseases. It has even been shown in laboratory experiments to be effective against trypanosomes, a single-celled parasite species that can cause Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness. In the laboratory experiment, four different compounds were isolated from the plant. The organic compound xanthatin is very effective against trypanosomes of the parasitic subspecies Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The ingredient xanthatin led to the death of the parasites (apoptosis, cell death), but was shown to be much less effective against human leukemia cells. Xanthumin, xanthinin, xanthanol, xanthine, caffeic acid, carboxyatractyloside act as ingredients. The medicinal effect is fungicidal and antibacterial. Thorny burdock and Siberian burdock are preferably used for inflammation of the sinuses. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the pointed burdock is used under the name of Cang Er Zi. This plant has an antibacterial effect and loosens the stuck secretions from the sinuses. Thus, Xanthium strumarium relieves the discomfort associated with this condition, such as headache, toothache, pressure pain and all other non-specific symptoms. Sharp burdock is also effective against rheumatism and scabies. Homeopathy uses thorny burdock (Xanthium spinosum) in the form of globules and dilutions in the potencies D2 to D60 and C2 to D60.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Skin contact may cause rashes. The ingredient glycoside carboxyatractyloside causes a mild poisonous effect. In folk medicine, ribwort burdock has been used as a diuretic and diaphoretic. Although sharps burdock exists as a homeopathic remedy in various potencies, it does not play such an important role because there are more important remedies with a broader spectrum of action, for example, datura. The interested reader will hardly find any information in this regard, an indication that this homeopathic remedy is not widely used.Unlike other remedies in homeopathy, which are described in detail in terms of their effects and clinical pictures, this remedy has only general indications that information can be obtained at the pharmacy. However, traditional Chinese medicine likes to use this plant. It recommends the plant because of its iodine content in the case of hypothyroidism. Chinese medical practitioners use this burdock as a diaphoretic and antibacterial for various skin diseases. They also use the juice of the fresh herbs for toothache. In the preparation of ointments, the fruits and the seeds are processed. The roots are effective in scrofula and diarrhea. The powder of the herbs can be processed as a tincture to treat boils, dermatitis and eczema. As a tea, burdock is drunk for lung cancer, thyroid problems and stomach problems. However, thyroid problems are serious ailments that should definitely be checked with a doctor. The use of pointed burdock extracts can be seen here only as a complementary treatment. However, there are also medicines with a more targeted effect in this area, for example Schüssler salt No. 15, potassium iodatum. This remedy is also more suitable for the treatment of inflammations and painful conditions in ligaments and tendons than burdock. The plant components are suitable for inhalation by boiling them with hot water. There are no serious contraindications, as long as no overdose is used. However, people with intestinal problems and stomach ulcers are advised not to use the herbs. However, in contrast to Traditional Chinese Medicine, experts in medicinal herbalism do not recommend using the various types of burdock on one’s own.
