Latin name: Arctium lappa Genus: Basket flower plants Folk name: Bardane, Bolster, Horse burdock
Plant description
Biennial, 1 to 1.5 m tall, reddish stem, abundantly branched. Leaves felt-hairy, size decreasing strongly from bottom to top. Bluish to red inflorescences.
Up to 60 cm long, branched root. Flowering time: June and July. Occurrence: Very often at roadsides, brooksides, fences.
Medicinally used plant parts
The root is harvested in autumn, divided and air-dried.
Ingredients
Inulin, mucilages, essential oil, tannins, bitter substances. Antibacterial and fungicidal substances.
Curative effects and application
Burdock has weak diuretic properties. Burdock root oil (extract of burdock root made with olive or sesame oil) is effective against flaky scalp. The tea is also used in cases of liver and gall bladder dysfunction. Folk medicine uses burdock root tea for washing, dabbing and compresses for acne.
Preparation
Boil 2 heaped teaspoons of cut burdock root with two cups of water for 5 minutes, strain.
Combination with other medicinal plants
The tea described above can be supplemented with aniseed fruits and thus the taste can be improved somewhat.
Application in homeopathy
Arctium lappa is commonly used in homeopathy for acne, eczema or flaky scalp. Potentiation D3 to D12.
Side effects
There are no known side effects.
