Burdock root is renowned for its blood-purifying properties, swiftly cleansing and removing impurities from the bloodstream.
Burdock was introduced into America from England and has become established on waste ground throughout the United States.
Burdocks are well-known for their large, prickly burrs which, in autumn, cling to clothes and animal fur. In summer, the tall, stiff plant boasts showy, oval, thistle-like purple flower heads at the end of its branching stems and from the angles of the large leaves. However, it is in spring, when the stems are tender and edible, that one should look for the big, heart-shaped, flannelly leaves that are very distinctive. Young burdock grows from the ground somewhat like rhubarb, but its leaves and stems are smaller, grey-green above, and mealy white beneath, covered with soft, flannelly down.
Drinking burdock tea may help heal different skin issues. It enhances urine production, which is advantageous for conditions like gout, rheumatism, canker sores, and leprosy. A hot compress soaked in the tea is beneficial for reducing swelling. Moreover, it proves effective when used topically as an ointment for skin breakouts, burns, injuries, swellings, and hemorrhoids.
Burdock Stems - Gathered in Spring
The stems possess a very mild flavor, reminiscent of celery. They are a striking, vivid green and should be cooked quickly to preserve this color; otherwise, they turn yellowish. Pick the stems while they are still young and tender for swift cooking. Be aware that they can stain your hands when raw, so it is advisable to wear rubber gloves during preparation.
Serves 4
A bundle of stems that fits in two hands
Butter
Salt and pepper
Cut the stems close to the ground, remove and discard the large, flannel-like leaves. Peel or scrape with a knife the greyish skin that covers the juicy, bright green stems, which will be about the thickness of a pencil. Drop the stems into cold water and change the water two to three times as it becomes discolored. Cook the stems in a large pan of boiling salted water for 5 to 6 minutes until tender. Drain well and serve on a hot dish with melted butter and plenty of freshly milled black pepper.
Burdock stems are also delicious served cold in a vinaigrette dressing or as an addition to any mixed green salad.
Burdock's long taproots can be enjoyed as a vegetable. Gather smaller, thinner roots as they will be more tender than the larger, tougher ones. Prepare the burdock roots by scraping their outer surface with a dull knife until you reveal the white flesh inside. As burdock roots can discolor your fingers, it is advisable to wear gloves. Place the scraped roots into water mixed with lemon juice or vinegar as soon as you clean them. Burdock root is fibrous, so pounding it before cooking softens and improves its texture. It should never be eaten raw. Cut the root into strips or slices.
It can be added to a sukiyaki recipe or combined with chicken, mushrooms, onions, and herbs. You can also stir-fry strips with crushed garlic and soy sauce. Sauté sliced burdock with thin strips of beef and soy sauce. To make a soup, use burdock slices, potatoes, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and chunks of meat. Alternatively, prepare it as tempura, sauté with Asian vegetables and seaweed, or substitute it for carrots in any recipe that calls for cooked carrots.
Check out also our product Glypho-X which contains the powerful herb of burdock.
This is a write up on Glypho-X
One study was done to see if different herbs could contribute protection against damage caused by glyphosphate. The compound contained both Taraxacum official (dandelion) and Arctium lappa (burdock), two components in Glypho-X. In the study glyphosate invoked liver cell death, but after treatment with the herbs, liver cell death decreased by up to 89% (9).
Taraxacum official (dandelion) has been shown to be hepato-protective (10, 11). One study showed taraxacum can lower total cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and increase HDL (12). Another study showed it can help prevent hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis and lower ones risk for coronary artery disease (13). In addition to cardiovascular health taraxacum has been shown to have an anti-influenza viral effect (14). It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (15, 16). Arctium Lappa (burdock) is plant known for its detoxification properties (17). It acts as an anti-inflammatory by decreasing inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, and TNF-α (18). In addition to being shown to help protect against glyphosate induced liver damage, it has also been shown to be effective in helping protect against multiple other types of chemical induced liver damage (19, 20, 21).
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