The Efficacy and Functions of Arctii Fructus

Mar 06, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

The fruit of Arctium lappa (niubangzi) is cold in nature, bitter and pungent in taste, and enters the lung and liver meridians. It has excellent effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, effectively eliminating heat toxins from the body. It significantly alleviates symptoms caused by heat toxicity, such as sore throat, oral ulcers, red and swollen eyes with pain. Additionally, niubangzi has functions of dispersing wind and relieving pain, making it suitable for conditions like wind-heat common cold, headache, and toothache.

　　The functions and effects of Arctii Fructus (Burdock Seed) generally include clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing wind to relieve pain, benefiting the throat and reducing swelling, promoting lung function to expel rashes, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation.

　　1. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying

　　Arctii Fructus is cold in nature, bitter and pungent in taste, and enters the lung and liver meridians. It has a good effect in clearing heat and detoxifying. It can effectively remove internal heat toxins and alleviate symptoms caused by heat toxins such as sore throat, mouth ulcers, red and swollen eyes.

　　2. Dispersing Wind and Relieving Pain

　　Arctii Fructus also has the property of dispersing wind and relieving pain, making it suitable for treating conditions such as wind-heat感冒 (common cold with heat symptoms), headache, and toothache. Its wind-dispersing effect helps expel external wind pathogens and alleviate discomfort and pain caused by wind-heat. Its components can relax tense muscles and reduce the sensation of pain.

　　3. Benefiting the Throat and Reducing Swelling

　　For throat-related diseases such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis, Arctii Fructus also has significant therapeutic effects. It can effectively reduce redness, swelling, and pain in the throat area and promote the healing of throat tissues. It acts on the throat mucosa to reduce inflammation, achieving the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain.

　　4. Promoting Lung Function and Expelling Rashes

　　Arctii Fructus has the effect of promoting lung function and aiding the eruption of rashes, which can help expel rashes associated with measles and rubella. It is used to treat poor eruption of rashes during the early stages of measles and skin conditions such as rubella.

　　5. Moistening the Intestines and Relieving Constipation

　　Arctii Fructus has a certain effect in moistening the intestines and relieving constipation and can be used to treat constipation caused by internal accumulation of heat toxins over a prolonged period or yin deficiency. It is suitable for individuals experiencing dry stools and difficulty defecating, but should be used with caution in individuals with qi deficiency or loose stools.

　　It is recommended to use this herb under the guidance of a physician; self-medication is not advised. A light diet should be maintained in daily life, avoiding the consumption of spicy and irritating foods such as garlic, spicy hotpot, and mustard.

View All

What are the functions and benefits of Arctii Fructus (burdock seed)?

Under normal circumstances, the main functions and effects of Arctii Fructus (niubangzi) include dispersing wind-heat, promoting lung function and relieving sore throat, detoxifying and promoting eruption of rashes, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, as well as reducing swelling and dissipating nodules. Arctii Fructus is commonly administered by decoction according to the prescribed dosage under medical supervision. Due to its cold nature, it should be used cautiously in individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach or those prone to diarrhea, to avoid aggravating gastrointestinal discomfort. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should consult a healthcare professional before using Arctii Fructus.