If I told you that a plant can cleanse your blood, lymphatic system, and skin, normalize the function of the stomach, intestines, liver… would you be interested? I think it's time to learn more about the benefits of burdock. For hundreds of years, burdock has been used in folk medicine as a universal remedy for a number of ailments.
Did you know? Currently, burdock is widely used in cooking in Japan, Korea, Italy, Brazil and Portugal. Roots and stems are eaten before flowering. Tastes like an artichoke. Burdock is used in salads and soups. Root vegetables are used baked, fried (previously boiled in salted water), raw instead of potatoes. They are also used to make flour, from which flat cakes are fried in combination with wheat or rye flour.
From the multitude of benefits and healing effects it has, I have focused on 8 health issues that can be alleviated with the help of burdock.
1. Toxins
In most books on herbs, we find that they help purify the blood by removing toxins from the bloodstream. Due to the high content of potassium, B vitamins, and volatile oils, it is the "king" of detoxifying the body.
Detox Salad. Gather fresh herbs: young leaves of burdock, dandelion, goutweed, plantain, sorrel, parsley, onion. Rinse. Soak dandelion leaves for 30 minutes in salt water. Finely chop all the greens, add one crushed clove of garlic. Season the salad with salt and vegetable oil. With this salad, you will gently cleanse the blood vessels and intestines.
2. Skin issues
Products based on burdock extract successfully treat acne, eczema and even psoriasis. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It contains a substance called arcthioside, similar to penicillin. It has an effect on streptococci, preumococci and other bacteria.
Burdock decoction. Pour 20 g of dry crushed burdock roots with 1 cup of boiling water, cook for 10-15 minutes over low heat, leave for at least an hour, cool and strain. Moisten with this decoction sore spots not only for eczema, but also for skin itching, acne, and boils.
3. Kidney disease
One of the benefits of drinking burdock tea is diuretic activity. It basically removes excess water from the body and prevents the accumulation of fluids and toxins. More urine will be produced and the kidneys will be healthier.
Burdock leaf infusion. It is prepared from two tablespoons of dry crushed burdock leaves. They are placed in a bowl and poured with half a liter of boiling water and insisted overnight. Then the infusion should be filtered and drunk 3/4 cup three times a day a quarter of an hour before meals or an hour after meals. This infusion is taken in the treatment of hepatic and renal edema, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and kidney stones.
4. Liver disease
Burdock root is very beneficial in treating fatty liver, as it helps eliminate toxins from the liver and reduce inflammation. So, you could try this natural remedy if you are facing this problem.
An important benefit of burdock root is its rich content of antioxidants. They help protect the liver from poisonous substances. Burdock cleanses the liver, helping it to detoxify the blood more easily.
5. Digestive problems
Burdock tea prevents some digestive disorders: loss of appetite, stomach pain, intestinal transit disorders. Decoction for the treatment of gastritis, constipation. Pour 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dried burdock leaves 1 cup boiling water, leave for 2 hours, strain. Take 1 tbsp. spoon 4-6 times a day after meals.
6. Diabetes
Burdock has been shown to be of real benefit to people suffering from diabetes. It has been scientifically proven that people who have consumed at least two cups of tea a day for a long time have significantly reduced their blood sugar levels. Animal studies have also shown the ability of burdock root to reduce the severity of diabetic complications, especially diabetic retinopathy.
Jam for diabetics. Thanks to the interaction of substances of sorrel and burdock, this jam will become an irreplaceable healing sweetness on your table. You can eat it as much as you want and it will still heal.
Boil 500 g of chopped burdock root and 1.5 kg of chopped sorrel leaves in 2 liters of water until thickened.
Coffee for diabetics. This drink will be a great alternative to the usual tea and coffee. It has a pleasant taste and does not contain caffeine.
Put the dried burdock roots on a baking sheet and place in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 100 ° C. As soon as the roots turn brown, take them out and cool. Grind in a coffee grinder. Prepare coffee at the rate of 1 teaspoon of powder per 1 cup of boiling water.
7. Joint disease
Burdock root is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be an important ingredient in the arthritis diet. A study published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases showed that burdock root tea fights inflammatory and oxidative stress in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, also known as degenerative joint disease. Using burdock leaves as a compress can reduce arthritis, rheumatism, and dislocations pain.
Ointment. Infuse 10 tablespoons of crushed fresh root for 24-30 hours in a dark place in 150 ml of sunflower oil, then drain the oil, but do not throw it away. Pour the roots with fresh oil (150 ml), cook for 30 minutes in a steam bath, let it brew for 2-3 hours, strain. Then mix with the first serving. Store in a dark place. Rub the oil with massage movements into sore joints, and use to massage tired legs.
8. Cancer
A 2016 experiment allowed scientists to find out that burdock root significantly slows down the growth of cancer cells. And while more research is needed to confirm these results, scientists believe the product could be used as an adjuvant drug in the treatment of certain types of cancer.
Therefore, burdock is not only a delicious product used in the cuisine of many peoples, but also an effective natural remedy for maintaining the health of the whole body and alleviating various ailments. It has a detoxifying, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, sweating, purifying and slightly hypoglycemic action, it also has antitumor, hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects.
Have you ever tried burdock as a treatment? What effect did it have?