botanical name(s): Arctium lappa
synonyms: burdock, gobo, beggar's button, bardana, burr seed, clotbur, cocklebur, grass burdock, hardock, hareburr, hurrburr, turkey burrseed, kletterwurzel, grote klette, bardane, sampazo
part(s) used: root, leaf, seed
qualities: pungent, cool, moist and dry, bitter
affinities:
actions: alterative, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic
dosage:
» root tincture: 2 - 8 ml.
» seed tincture: 0.5 - 2 ml.
therapy: aphthous and catarrhal ulcerations of stomach membranes; irritable coughs; psoriasis; chronic cutaneous eruptions; chronic glandular enlargements; syphilitic, scrofulous, and gouty conditions (Ellingwood, p. 378); skin conditions, especially with dry and scaly skin; eczema; acne; boils; styes; carbuncles; arthritis; rheumatism (Anderson Geller)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1
toxicity: 0
constituents:
» seed: arctiin, arctigenin, gogosterin, essential oil, fatty oil
» root: essential oil, inulin
use with caution during pregnancy (Brinker, p. 114)
handling fresh leaves may cause contact dermatitis (Duke, p. 54; Muenscher, p. 8)
footnotes
Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellingwood, F. 1919. "Ellingwood's Therapeutist" American Materia Medica Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy. Evanston, IL.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.