Burdock or burdock is the name of the same medicinal plant. It is found everywhere in Russia. It is used in cooking and folk medicine, as well as in pharmaceuticals - for the production of medicated shampoos, concentrated essential oils and some medicines. Contains many substances beneficial to human he alth.
Description plant
Burdock needs no introduction. Almost everyone has seen it many times in their life. And if this is not the case, then you can see a photo of a large burdock. The picture shows that the leaves, decorated with fine carvings, grow from the very center, and a strong stem with inflorescences in the form of a red-pink burdock with many thorns stretches upwards from them. This burdock loves to cling to everything. The people even came up with a joke about him: “The groom clung to you!” It is interesting that there are other names for large burdock: grandfather or burdock. And the Japanese affectionately call him “dovo.”
Chemical composition
Burdock is rich in fatty acids, essential oils,inulins, glycosides, various vitamins and other useful substances. Its leaves contain tannins and ascorbic acid, and its seeds contain various valuable acids and alcohols. The root is almost 80% water. It contains bitter substances, starch, carotene, organic acids. In addition, great burdock benefits from:
- potassium - regulates the work of the heart;
- magnesium - responsible for metabolism;
- aluminum - necessary for the good functioning of the whole organism;
- vitamins C and B - strengthen human immunity.
A small amount of antioxidants, phytocides and tannins, also contained in the large burdock, is enough that the plant could have a restorative and wound-healing effect on the body. Burdock has only 10 calories.
Benefits of burdock
Medical properties of burdock are many. Medicines created on its basis help heal wounds and abrasions, lower blood sugar levels, normalize metabolism, improve hair growth, help remove stones and excess s alt from the body. In addition, they purify the blood, have an antipyretic effect in colds, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminate joint pain, and prevent inflammation of the mucous membranes and the formation of malignant tumors.
Medical preparations and folk remedies from burdock are great for problems with the eyes, teeth, urinary system. Allows you to effectively deal with excess weight,various female diseases, signs of skin aging and allergic rashes. They can also be used for chemical poisoning, bites from poisonous snakes and insects. They cope well with various skin defects (for example, acne or ulcers).
And burdock is also used in the treatment of diabetes, gout, eczema, boils and various liver diseases. It is applicable for duodenal and gastric ulcers, cholecystitis, giardiasis, cholongitis, constipation, as it can alleviate the symptoms or even completely eliminate these diseases. In addition, many doctors prescribe medications from this plant for urolithiasis, inflammation or pain in the joints, edema of various origins, gout, severe dislocations, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatism.
Burdock root in folk medicine
The root is the most valuable part of the great burdock. It has a choleretic and diuretic effect. It helps with toothache and joint pain, itching, allergic reactions. Promotes the production of the necessary enzymes. Can be used by people suffering from diabetes. Since it contains inulin, which, after hydrolysis in an acidic environment, turns into fructose. Especially useful in this case, it will be in combination with lemon, sorrel and other spices. In addition, the valuable properties of burdock root include its ability to remove stones from the kidneys after ingestion.
The easiest way to use burdock root is to peel it fromdirt, rinse, leave for a couple of minutes in boiling water to eliminate bitterness, grate on a coarse grater, put in the refrigerator. In the future, this gruel can be eaten just like that (it tastes like tominambour) or used to create salads or yogurts. Such a mixture can help with oncology. It well cleanses the blood of toxins and other harmful substances. You can also create various tinctures and decoctions from burdock root. They can help with alcohol or mercury poisoning, the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Infusion is also recommended by many doctors to remove gallstones, get rid of ulcers and hemorrhoids, treat eczema, diathesis, tonsillitis, as a prophylactic against hair loss. To create it, you need to grind 0.4 kg of burdock root, pour it into a thermos, pour it with 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour. Drink 1 tbsp. teaspoon per day or as directed by a physician. When taking the infusion externally, it should be applied to the sore spot with a cotton swab.
Other parts of burdock in medicine
Despite the fact that many use mainly only the roots of burdock, other parts of this plant also have medicinal properties. So, its leaves are often used to improve bile secretion and digestive processes. And also to create special compresses for headaches, inflammation of the joints, rheumatism. To this end, they are simply scalded with boiling water and gently applied to the affected area, wrapped in a warm bandage.
Useful and juice,squeezed from young leaves. It can contribute to the elimination of wounds, bedsores, sores and burns. Apply it to the sore spot with cotton wool or a piece of gauze. Burdock flowers and inflorescences are used to create an infusion that can help with chronic constipation. To do this, take 20 grams of raw materials, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, insist for 1 hour, and then strain. You need to drink 2-3 tbsp. spoon three times a day until complete healing.
Burdock benefits for women
Young burdock leaves can be used for mastopathy. To do this, they need to be slightly wrinkled with your hands, attached to your chest and carefully fixed with a bandage. Or just put in a bra without pits. This will eliminate pain and a feeling of fullness, increase the outflow of fluid, cool the skin, reduce cysts and fibroids, and improve the general condition. Regular intake of burdock tea will help to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce the pain that occurs during its passage.
With heavy female bleeding, it is very useful to take a decoction created according to this recipe: 5 grams of powder made from burdock root should be poured into a thermos, pour 2 tbsp. boiling water, leave to infuse overnight. Strain, drink for 1 month four times a day, 100 ml. Take a break for 10 days. Repeat course if necessary.
Use burdock for weight loss
Because burdock is low in calories and can improve metabolism, nutritionists recommend eating burdock-based salads and drinks when losing weight. Withfor this purpose, you can also prepare the following infusion: 1.5 tsp. dried burdock herb mixed with 0.5 tsp. chicory root and 0.5 tsp. dandelion roots. Pour the mass into a thermos, pour 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour. Drink three times a day, 50 ml, 13-15 minutes before meals. Course duration – 1 week.
To improve the metabolic process in the body of a woman, and a man too, you can make a salad of finely chopped stalks of burdock, green peas, fresh cucumber and a small amount of vegetable oil. It is better to eat it at night, replacing them with a regular dinner. This should be done within 4-5 days. It is after such a time that you will already notice a positive result.
Burdock in cosmetology
Burdock found its use not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology. Its extracts are included in many creams, masks, shampoos and other products needed for hair and skin care. At home, special masks are created from the leaves of this plant. For example, when various rashes appear on the skin of the face, you can make a special mixture. To do this, put 6 pieces of small burdock leaves in 0.5 liters of milk, cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Remove mixture from stove, let cool. Then take out the leaves and put them on your face. Hold for 15 minutes and remove. Wash off with warm water. The result will be noticeable in 1-2 days.
Burdock ointment for burns
Traditional healers often prepare a special ointment from the roots and leaves of burdock in order to get rid of burns and traces of frostbite. Forthis you need to wash and clean 30 grams of young leaves and a whole burdock root, boil for half an hour. Mix with 150 g of melted butter. Apply to the affected area at least once a day. It is worth noting that this remedy also helps with baldness. If you want to stop hair loss, you need to gently rub it into the hair roots.
The secret of cooking burdock oil
The well-known burdock oil is created from burdock root. It can be used to nourish and strengthen hair, prevent and eliminate various skin diseases (acne, seborrhea, and so on), heal minor wounds, and relieve skin itching. And also to improve the condition of the skin. Cooking burdock oil at home is not difficult. You need to take dried burdock roots, grind them into powder, pour almond oil (1: 3), put in a dark place for 3 weeks. Use as needed. If you want to speed up the process, you can boil the resulting product in a water bath in a day and strain. If you do not want to spend time cooking, you can go to the pharmacy and buy it cheap there.
Burdock leaves to remove s alts from the body
The properties of burdock are multifaceted. People who often visit the bathhouse have found another use for it. They simply collect the leaves of the plant in a bundle, carefully bandage them and go to the bathhouse, where they tap themselves with a “bouquet” on different parts of the body. This method allows you to remove toxins and excess s alts from the body, promotes the opening of pores. To all lovers of the bath for better purification of breath, you canrecommend doing the following procedure: pour fresh inflorescences and leaves of burdock with boiling water and put in the far corner of the bath. When carrying out water procedures, inhale deeply and exhale quietly. Do this at least once a week. You will immediately feel your he alth begin to improve.
Contraindications for use
Describing the medicinal properties and use of great burdock (burdock), one cannot fail to mention those cases when its use is prohibited. In particular, decoctions and infusions of burdock should not be used for medicinal purposes during pregnancy, hepatic colic and breastfeeding. And also with individual intolerance and identification of allergic reactions. In addition, they are forbidden to be used constantly, for more than a month. You need to take a break for 2-4 weeks, without this in any way. In any case, before starting any treatment, be sure to consult your doctor. Because the use of burdock provokes the excretion of s alts and stones, and this can be dangerous for the body.
Price for drugs from burdock in a pharmacy
Of course, the properties of great burdock, which is sold through various points of sale, are somewhat less than that of freshly picked and hand-made plants. However, when you don’t want to mess with the roots and leaves or you need a medicine that is difficult to make on your own, fees can be purchased at a pharmacy. Prices for dry roots without additives vary from 50 to 80 rubles, for juice from leaves - from 300 rubles per 100 ml, for juice from the root - up to 1000 rubles for 75 ml of the drug. Burdockoil can be bought for 40-80 rubles. Prices for other he alth and beauty products from burdock are very different, so there is no point in listing them. Stay he althy!
