Botanic Name

Arctium lappa

Common Name

Burdock, Lappa,. Fox’s Clote, Thorny Burr, Beggar’s Buttons, Cockle Buttons, Love Leaves, Happy Major, Clot Burr ¹

Family

Asteraceae

Parts Used

Leaf and Root ²

Habitat

On roadsides and wasteplaces and aroudn field borders throughout Britain, Europe and North America ³

Constituents

Terpenoids ²

A sesquiterpene ester-lactone of germacronolide structure ²

Mucilage ²

Tannins ²

Inulin ²

Volatile oil ²

Acetylenic compounds ²

Phenolic acids ²

Inulin ²

Physterols ²

Tannins ²

Mucilage ²

Actions

Depurative ²

Mild Diuretic ²

General alterative exerting a cleansing effect on the tissues ³

Mild laxative ³

Bitter ⁴

Applications

Dry and scaly skin ⁴

Psoriasis ⁴

Eczema ⁴

Rheumatic complaints ⁴

Anorexia nervosa ⁴

Cystitis ⁴

Dandruff ⁴

Topically – wounds, ulcers, eczema, psoriasis ⁴

Toxic conditions resulting in skin disease, boils, sores and other inflammatory conditions ³

(Leaf) Topical application for dermatological ailments ²

(Root) Skin disorders, rheumatism ²

(Root) Gout and other disorders requiring increased elimination ²

Dosage

Medium Dose Herb

Infustion 2-6 gm dried herb tds ²

FE (1:1, 25%) 2-6 ml tds ²

Tincture (1:5, 25%) 8 – 12 ml tds ²

Combinations

Rumex, Trifolium, Galium for skin problems ⁴

C/I Cautions

Excessive use of Burdock may precipitate a symptomatic crisis in severely toxic conditions or where the eliminatory channels are deficient. It is recommended that dosage start cautiously, working up as appropriate. 5 – 10 ml per week and build up gradually. It is the strongest depurative. ⁵

BHP S/I

Eczema, especially dry scaling type, and psoriasis ⁶