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Burdock

Properties and application of burdock root


Botanical characteristics of burdock

One of the most widely used plants in folk medicine burdock big. For therapeutic purposes, often used the root of the plant, and sometimes its leaves and fruits.

Burdock leaves start to collect in June and finish in September. The roots of the plants first year of life, harvested mainly in the fall from September to October. If the plant grows for the second year, the roots can be collected in the spring from late April to late may.

The plant in the first year of his life to the end of the vegetation period accumulates at the root of all useful and nutrients, so root is very juicy and fleshy.

The accumulated reserve of nutrients begins to spend the second year of the life of the plant. Nutrients are consumed in the formation of the stem, the root becomes soft, woody and medicinal and culinary purposes is not good. After the root is dug up, it is purged from the earth, washed thoroughly with cold water and separated from the top. Further, the root is cut into pieces with a length of 10-15 cm, if the root is thick, it is cut along.

After that, the root is dried in a well ventilated area – for example, in the attic or under a canopy. Still it is possible to dry the raw material is cooled in the Russian oven, spread it in a thin layer on paper or cloth. The leaves of burdock dried in the traditional way – under a canopy.

After drying, the roots are stored for not longer than 5 years and the sheets – 1 year in wooden containers.


Useful properties of burdock

In the roots of burdock contains up to 45% of the polysaccharide inulin, mucus, essential oil and tannic, bitter and fat-like substances, resins, protein, large amounts of vitamin C, mineral salts. Burdock leaves contain volatile oil, mucilage, tannins, ascorbic acid. In the fruits of burdock is quite a lot of fat (20 %).

Burdock roots have a diuretic, choleretic, diaphoretic and mildly analgesic properties. Burdock root promotes the formation of pancreatic enzymes, it acts as a mild laxative, improves the condition of skin. In addition, it has antimicrobial, antiseptic and disinfectant properties, relieves itching and allergic manifestations.

Burdock has anti-inflammatory, wound healing and antidiabetic properties.

Recipes based on burdock

src="/all/images/1200-0.jpg">Burdock root tincture. Preparing the infusion thus: 10-25 grams of crushed roots pour two cups of boiling water, insist 1 hour in a thermos. To use the tool should be in the form of heat half a Cup 3-4 times a day after meals. This infusion is recommended for kidney and gallstones, rheumatism and gout, diabetes, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, gastritis, hemorrhoids, eczema, exudative diathesis, boils and rickets. The duration of treatment from 20 to 50 days.

Infusion of burdock root well lubricated wounds, ulcers, warts, gargle with sore throat, to wash and wipe the scalp – it will save you from hair loss.

Infusion of the leaves of burdock. Pour three cups boiling water 60 grams of leaves, insist 4 hours, strain and drink one glass 3 times daily when ulcers stomach and duodenal ulcers, stones in the kidneys and liver.

The infusion of seeds of burdock. Pour one Cup of boiling water 20 grams of seeds, insist one hour, filter. Medication to use, it is recommended 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day, it will relieve from chronic constipation.

The decoction of burdock root No. 1. 15-20 grams of the crushed root pour a glass of water and boil on low heat for 20 minutes, insist 30 minutes, strain and drink 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day after meals. Apply this remedy for urinary and cholelithiasis, inflammation of the bladder, rheumatism, gout and degenerative disc disease, as a diaphoretic for colds.

A decoction of burdock roots, No. 2. Need to boil 100 grams of crushed roots of burdock in one liter of water until half the original volume, strain, add honey to taste. Use the remedy 3 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. Use this decoction for kidney stones, rheumatism, gout, haemorrhoids, and exudative diathesis.

A decoction of the leaves and inflorescences of burdock. Boil 20 grams of leaves and inflorescences of burdock in a glass of water for 5 minutes, after which the resulting broth moisten the gauze and apply it to the aching joints. Apply this treatment of gout and rheumatism, a decoction added to the bath.

Juice from the leaves of burdock. Squeeze the juice from the young leaves of burdock, mix it with chopped leaves. This mixture is applied to wounds, ulcers, burns and bedsores.

Ointment of burdock. 25 grams of crushed leaves and roots of burdock, boil half a glass of water for 20 minutes, then the mixture was triturated with 100 grams ofbutter and is used for the prevention and treatment of baldness, and for treatment of burns and frostbite.

Oil of burdock. 75 grams of fresh root pour 200 grams of any fatty oil (sunflower, etc.), insist on for a day, then cook on low heat for 15 minutes and filtered. Use this oil for improving hair growth and skin diseases.

For the treatment of burns preparing this remedy: the leaves and roots of burdock boiled in water, then rubbed with butter. If skin irritation or headaches apply burdock leaves to the affected area.


The use of burdock in folk medicine

In domestic folk medicine, burdock root is quite widely used and versatile – for example, with nephrolithiasis, diabetes, gout and rheumatism, dropsy, hemorrhoids, rickets and scrofula, abrasions, chronic eczema, constipation. In addition, burdock is successfully used in cases of poisoning by mercury drugs and from the bites of poisonous animals. A decoction of burdock root is also used in sexually transmitted diseases, aches and pains in the joints.

In Bulgaria herbalists used burdock root as a diuretic and improves metabolism means, and when the kidney stones and bladder, gastritis and stomach ulcers. Dermatitis associated with pruritus, burdock root is used externally as a compress.

Infusion of burdock helps to get rid of prostate adenoma. The infusion is prepared as follows: 2 tablespoons of burdock pour a glass of water, leave to infuse 2 hours, use half a Cup 3-5 times a day.

If a person suffers from cancer, you can use burdock root as an infusion, decoction, powder. To take an infusion of equal parts burdock root, honey and rubbing alcohol. This mixture insist for two weeks, drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.

Well proven infusion and decoction of burdock in the treatment of gastritis. The infusion is prepared thus: one teaspoon of burdock roots pour two cups of boiling water, stand for 12 hours, consumed 4 times a day half a Cup. Another decoction is prepared as follows: one teaspoon of root pour a glass of boiling water, heated on low heat for 5-10 minutes, drink 3 times a day for one tablespoon.

If concerned about pain in the pancreas, it is good to apply a decoction of burdock root: a tablespoon of crushed dried roots pour two cups of water, insist 2 hours, then boil 15 minutes. Drink warm three times a day after meals during the day.

Greatly facilitate the attacks of bronchialasthma can be, if you take a tablespoon once a day (morning or afternoon) infused for 5 days for such a part: half a Cup of burdock leaf and aspen, one teaspoon of fir, half spoon of soda and a glass of water.

Pretty effective and burdock for boils, to do this, prepare an infusion of burdock leaves and taken twice a day half a Cup; if treated juice from the leaves of burdock, I have to take it on a tablespoon.

To help the aching joints can also burdock: we need to wrap with fresh leaves of burdock painful joints and leave it on overnight.

In order to achieve a bracing effect on the entire body, you can prepare this decoction: one tablespoon of burdock root pour a glass of water and drink one glass twice a day for 3 weeks.

Probably, many people know how beneficial the roots of burdock to the hair. Burdock strengthens hair, gives them strength, beauty, and silky. This property of burdock is known to many, and the recipe came to us from the most ancient times. To prepare this medicine take one teaspoon of burdock oil and honey, the juice of one small onion and 10 grams of juice of burdock and shampoo (recommended to use shampoo for dry hair). The resulting mixture should be applied to unwashed hair, putting your head in a plastic cap and insulated cap, leave on for half an hour. After this time the head should be washed with warm water and allow hair to dry without using hair dryer. You can simply RUB 2-3 times a week fresh juice of burdock into the scalp and your hair will surely delight you.

Gardeners and gardeners appreciate a mug for such a valuable property as the ability to exterminate agricultural pests. With this purpose from the leaves of burdock prepare this infusion: half a bucket of crushed leaves, pour the brim with water and infused for three days. After this infusion is filtered and sprayed the resulting means garden plants and shrubs, it saves them from caterpillars of the cabbage white, moth and moth.


Contraindications to the use of burdock

Contraindications this plant is not so much. It is important not to use this plant if a person has hypersensitivity to any substance included in the composition of this plant.