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

Generally speaking, the main functions and effects of Arctii Fructus (Burdock Seed) include dispersing wind-heat, promoting lung function and relieving sore throat, detoxifying and promoting eruption of rashes, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, reducing swelling and dissipating nodules. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Dispersing Wind-Heat

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, Arctii Fructus is cool in nature, with a pungent and bitter taste, and is associated with the lung and stomach meridians. Its pungent-dispersing property helps to alleviate external wind-heat. When symptoms such as fever, headache, and sore throat are caused by wind-heat type cold, appropriate use of Arctii Fructus can help dispel wind-heat pathogens from the body's surface and relieve discomfort associated with colds, in line with the TCM principle of treating wind-heat syndromes by dispersing wind-heat.

2. Promoting Lung Function and Relieving Sore Throat

Arctii Fructus can promote the function of the lungs and its bitter and cold properties help clear and soothe the throat. For symptoms such as red, swollen, painful throat, hoarseness, and cough with phlegm caused by excessive lung heat or invasion of wind-heat into the lungs, Arctii Fructus can help promote lung function, clear the nasal passages, and relieve throat discomfort, thus restoring normal throat function.

3. Detoxifying and Promoting Eruption of Rashes

Arctii Fructus has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, as well as promoting the eruption of rashes. When symptoms such as initial stages of measles, poor eruption of rashes, or itchy urticaria occur, appropriate use of Arctii Fructus can help expel the rash toxins, promote the smooth eruption of rashes, and alleviate skin itching caused by toxic pathogens, thereby assisting in improving skin conditions.

4. Moistening the Intestines and Relieving Constipation

Arctii Fructus contains abundant oily components, which can lubricate the intestines, and its bitter and cold nature can promote intestinal peristalsis. For constipation symptoms caused by dry heat in the large intestine and insufficient body fluids, leading to dry stools and difficulty in defecation, Arctii Fructus can moisten the intestines and relieve constipation, helping to improve bowel movements and maintain intestinal patency.

5. Reducing Swelling and Dissipating Nodules

Arctii Fructus, with its bitter and cold properties, can clear heat and detoxify while also dispersing accumulated pathogenic factors. For conditions such as carbuncles, abscesses, and mumps caused by accumulation of heat toxins, appropriate use of Arctii Fructus can help eliminate internal heat toxins, disperse local swellings and nodules, alleviate symptoms of redness and pain, and assist in resolving conditions caused by excessive heat toxins.

When using Arctii Fructus, one should be aware of its cool nature; individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach or those prone to diarrhea should avoid its use to prevent aggravating gastrointestinal discomfort. Patients with qi deficiency and loose stools should also use it cautiously to avoid triggering or worsening diarrhea. Arctii Fructus should be used under the guidance of a qualified professional according to individual conditions, and should not be taken arbitrarily to ensure safe and effective medication use.