Burdock root

The root is a delicious vegetable that detoxifies the body? Burdock tea is an effective remedy for acne, eczema, and psoriasis. What’s more, the herb that inspired Velcro.

It is also reputed to be a remedy for hair loss.

a diuretic or “water pill” that could “purify blood” by flushing toxins out of the body, including the microorganism that causes Syphilis. Over the centuries, burdock root was also enlisted to alleviate constipation, ease childbirth, break up kidney and bladder stones, promote sweating, remedy stomach, and intestinal disorders, and control arthritis and gout pains.

Minerals in Burdock root

Calcium

In addition to its widely known role in bone structure, Calcium is used to help nerve function and control muscle. 41 milligrams of calcium can be found on every 100 grams of Burdock root, the 4% of the total daily recommended calcium intake.

Iron

All of the tissues in your body need a near constant supply of oxygen to maintain life. The hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in your blood, which help in the delivery of oxygen. In 100 grams of Burdock root, you can find 0.8 milligrams of iron.

Potassium

Along with sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride, potassium is an electrolyte, meaning that it helps to conduct electrical charges in the human body. In 100 grams of Burdock root, you can find 308 milligrams of potassium. It provides the 7% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.

Magnesium

About 50% of a person’s magnesium is stored in the bone, and as such, it plays a key role in bone metabolism, even a mild ongoing magnesium deficiency can lead to a significant amount of bone loss. 100 grams of Burdock root contains 38 milligrams of magnesium, that’s the 10% of the daily recommended value for an adult.

38 mg

10% daily value

Phosphorus

Inadequate intakes of phosphorus results in hypophosphataemia the symptoms of which include anorexia, anaemia, muscle weakness, bone pain, ataxia, confusion and possibly death. Phosphorus is so widespread in the food supply that dietary phosphorus deficiency is extremely rare. 100 grams of contains 51 milligrams of phosphorus, that’s the 5% of the daily recommended value for an adult.

Sodium

Low sodium in the blood can lead to what is called hypernatremia: fatigue, seizures, muscle spasms, confusion and coma. Sodium deficiency is caused by vomiting, diarrhea, drinking excessive water and excessive sweating. In 100 grams of Burdock root, you can find 5 milligrams of sodium. It provides the 0% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.

Zinc

Immunity, reproduction, skin health, and vision are just some of the areas that can be affected by zinc deficiency. 0.33 milligrams of zinc can be found on every 100 grams of Burdock root, the 2% of the total daily recommended zinc intake.

Copper

In the food we commonly eat, there are only very small amounts of copper. As much as any dietary mineral, the amount of copper you eat is directly related to the amounts of minimally processed plant foods you get every day. In 100 grams of Burdock root, you can find 0.07 milligrams of copper. It provides the 4% of the daily recommended value for the average adult.

0.07 mg

Manganese

Manganese is important for everyday skin health.

Required co-factor for an enzyme called prolidase, which is in turn necessary to make collagen as a structural component of skin. 100 grams of Burdock root contains 0.23 milligrams of manganese, that’s the 12% of the daily recommended value for an adult.

Selenium

Selenium-containing enzymes are involved in recycling of vitamin C from its spent form back to its active one, allowing for greater antioxidant protection. 100 grams of Burdock root contains 0.7 micrograms of selenium, that’s the 1% of the daily recommended value for an adult.

Cure claims of Burdock

 

– Combat Cancer

European physicians of the Middle Ages and later used burdock to treat cancerous tumors (as well as skin conditions, venereal disease, and bladder and kidney problems). Many herbalists today say burdock root can stop cancer cells from metastasizing, making it a potential natural cancer treatment. In fact, animal studies of mammary, colon and pancreatic cancer have shown promise for burdock’s ability to fight against cancer.

One big reason burdock shows promise for naturally fighting cancer is the fact that it contains arctigenin. Arctigenin is a lignan found in certain plants of the Asteraceae family, including greater burdock (Arctium lappa), which has been shown to combat cancer cells by selectively stopping the proliferation of cancer cells and by inhibiting the cancer cells’ production of particular proteins (NPAT proteins), hence crippling cancer’s ability to reproduce.

Another study found that arctigenin was a cancer-specific phytochemicalthat killed human lung cancer cells, human liver cancer cells and human stomach cancer cells.  Studies like this are proving what many have believed for years — that burdock root is a seriously effective natural cancer fighter!

– Improves Arthritis

Burdock root is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory abilities, even helping to soothe arthritis. A study published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases showed that burdock root tea improves inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.

Subjects were given three cups of burdock root tea per day for forty two days and were then assessed for inflammatory markers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The results showed that burdock root tea can significantly help people suffering from osteoarthritis by lowering inflammatory markers.

Helps Treat an Enlarged Spleen

If you suffer from an enlarged spleen, burdock root can help. The spleen is a vital “guardian” organ that we rely on to keep the body free from infections, viruses and all kinds of dangerous pathogens. An enlarged spleen is a clear warning sign that the immune system is fighting hard to remove threats from the body but failing to do so because it can’t keep up with high demand.

Your spleen is in constant contact with your blood so as burdock root cleanses your blood, it also cleanses and protects the spleen. It can help the spleen because it improves blood quality as well as liver health, circulation and fights inflammation. Improving those four factors has a direct positive effect on spleen health so you definitely want to include burdock in your spleen-healing lineup. (12)

9. Fight Tonsillitis

Burdock root can help get rid of painful tonsillitis. Acute tonsillitis is a type of inflammatory virus that causes tissues within the tonsils to become infected with harmful bacteria. Burdock root is helpful to tonsillitis because it increases wound healing, decreases inflammation, and helps to relieve coughs, sore throats and pain. (13)