|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home >
Research Department
>
Supplement Articles
> Burdock |
|
Supplement Articles |
|
|
BURDOCK
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Burdock can help with liver and gallbladder conditions and promote healthier digestion ... |
|
BURDOCK |
|
|
|
Burdock is a potent
blood cleanser |
|
|
Burdock is a plant that is found around the world, in Asia, Europe and North America. It is an alterative herb, meaning that it helps to restore normal functioning to the body when systems get out of balance. It is a blood purifier, digestive bitter, antimicrobial, blood sugar regulator, and anti-cancer agent. Burdock is often recommended by healthcare practitioners to treat a variety of conditions including: boils, eczema, cancer, diabetes, heavy metal toxicity, liver conditions, gallbladder dysfunction and gout. |
Blood Purifier
Burdock is particularly known in the herbal medicine community for its ability to remove toxins from the body by cleaning the blood. Because of this, Burdock is used for skin conditions, like acne, and gout that are considered to result from toxin accumulation. Burdock can also be used to cleanse toxins from the intestinal tract. It is a bitter herb that causes the release of digestive juices and bile, thus helping with intestinal cleansing.
Digestive Bitter
Because of its bitter flavour, Burdock has the ability to increase appetite and digestion. It does this by stimulating the flow of digestive juices such as: stomach acid, digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. Increasing the flow of these juices helps the body to complete proper digestion and will help to reduce a number of symptoms associated with poor digestion such as: gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and heartburn. For more information on bitters, please click here.
Antimicrobial
Extracts of burdock contain antimicrobial substances that are useful for halting infections anywhere in the body, including the digestive tract. Because of this, Burdock can help to treat diarrhea of infectious origin, and can help to improve a poor bacterial balance in the gut.
Blood Sugar Regulation and Anti-Cancer
Studies have shown that burdock contains constituents that resemble insulin, our body's blood sugar regulating hormone. Because of this, it can be used to help manage high blood sugar, a symptom commonly associated with diabetes. Reducing blood sugar is also helpful in preventing the growth of cancer. Interestingly, Burdock has also been found to contain a number of anti-mutagenic components that can help prevent the DNA damage that can lead to the formation of cancer.
How can I take Burdock?
Burdock can be used as encapsulated herb, dried root, tincture or liquid extract. The roots contain the most concentrated medicinal substances: insulin-like compounds, antioxidants and bitters. Burdock can also be used topically to treat skin conditions, just be sure to dilute any alcohol-based formulas to avoid skin irritation. It is found as a component of many cleansing and detoxification formulas. It is also a part of the "Essiac" formula, which has traditionally been used for cancer and detoxifying. In order to help with digestion, bitter herbs must be tasted, so using a tincture or tea form is often best. Encapsulated herbs are swallowed, thus bypassing the taste buds, and will not stimulate digestion. |
Burdock–
QUICK FACTS
|
PARTS USED
|
·
Aerial plants, roots, seeds. |
|
APPLICATIONS |
·
Detoxification, cancer, infections, liver and gallbladder conditions. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
|
·
Dried root: 6-18g daily, Tincture: 24-36mL daily, Liquid extract: 6-18mL daily. (Clinical doses may be higher as recommended by your practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
|
·
Detoxifying
herbs,
lipotropic
factors,
antioxidants. |
|
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
Burdock
should not
be used in
pregnancy.
·
Diabetics
and
hypoglycemics
should use
burdock with
caution. |
|
|
For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
|
|
|
|
All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
|
|
|