Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Burdock: Nourishing Herbal Infusions (part 6)

Burdock 
(Arctium Lappa)

Parts used: Root (First year roots gathered in the fall.)

Properties: alterative, nutritive, mucilaginous, alterative, diuretic, diaphoretic, urinary tonic, demulcent, bitter, laxative, vulnerary,


Nutrients: Amino acids, calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, selenium, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C.


Gifts
Burdock is a strong alterative – sometimes called a blood purifier. It does this by strengthening the kidneys and liver, which in turn helps to clean up the circulatory system. Burdock is a strong ally for those dealing with skin problems such as boils, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne, and herpes. It’s revered as an anti-tumor herb and is one of the ingredients of the Essiac formula. Used long term it helps strengthen the immune system and nourish intestinal flora – a great ally to use after a round of antibiotics. Burdock is a cooling herb that helps us to feel grounded and stable.


Keep it simple 
Burdock is a grounding herb that strengthens the immune system, kidneys, and liver. It’s especially useful for those dealing with skin problems, from blemishes to tumors.


Burdock is like a cleaning woman, or garbage collector: essential to modern life, but underpaid and undervalued. She’s the old black rag-a-muffin of herbs.
Ellen Greenlaw 1988

Where to buy your herbs
I buy all of my herbs for nourishing herbal infusions at Mountain Rose Herbs. They have high quality and organic herbs at a great price. 

Bulk organic herbs, spices and essential oils. Sin
Want to explore other herbs to use for nourishing herbal infusions? 

I've got you covered! Click the links below to see other nourishing herbs.