What is burdock?
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
Burdock is a herbaceous plant whose fruit has medicinal value and is known as Arctii Fructus (niúbàng zǐ), while burdock root has high culinary value. Burdock has a pungent and bitter taste and a cold nature, entering the lung and stomach meridians. Its functions and effects include dispersing wind-heat, promoting eruption through the lung meridian, and relieving sore throat and toxicity. It is used to treat wind-heat感冒 (common cold), excessive phlegm and cough, measles, urticaria, sore and swollen throat, and erysipelas.
Many people may not be familiar with burdock, although it originates from China, it is better known in Japan. So what exactly is burdock?
What Is Burdock?
Burdock is a herbaceous plant. Its fruit has medicinal value and is known as Arctii Fructus (niúbàng zǐ), while its root is highly valued as a food ingredient. Burdock has a pungent and bitter taste, with a cold nature, and acts on the lung and stomach meridians. It functions to disperse wind-heat, promote eruption of rashes through lung regulation, soothe the throat, and detoxify. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat wind-heat感冒, excessive phlegm and cough, measles, urticaria, sore throat, swelling and pain, and erysipelas. It is often combined with herbs such as Platycodon (Jiegeng) and Forsythia (Lianqiao). Classic formulas like Yinqiao San and Pujie Xiaodu Yin include Arctii Fructus as an ingredient.
The burdock root can be cooked and consumed, effectively enhancing human immunity, improving physical constitution, and increasing nutritional intake. The dietary fiber in burdock promotes intestinal motility and aids defecation, serving as a supportive food for lowering cholesterol, reducing accumulation of toxins and waste in the body, reducing blood lipids, lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and improving constipation. Nowadays, burdock is also used in tea form, playing a role in health maintenance and wellness. As one of the traditional Chinese medicines, burdock clears heat and detoxifies the body, and benefits the throat. It is particularly effective in treating sore throat caused by wind-heat感冒 and cough due to lung heat.
Additionally, this herb promotes the eruption of rashes. In children with incomplete or delayed rash development, burdock can help accelerate the eruption process and shorten the course of illness. Modern observational studies suggest that burdock possesses anti-cancer properties and may help prevent cancer. Wishing you good health and happiness.
