Burdock Root Benefits: Your Natural Medicine for Healthy Lifestyle
From carrots to sweet potatoes, lotus roots to the elephant foot plant, our daily diet includes many root vegetables. These provide us nutrients that our body requires to keep several diseases at bay. Root vegetables are very pliable and easy to cook. Hence they form a significant part of delicious veggies. One such root vegetable is Burdock.
Burdock or Arctium lappa belongs(1) to the Asteraceae family and is a biennial plant. The burdock plant is native to the Asian and European continent, although now various species of Burdock have been introduced to several parts of the world. The Burdock benefits range from medicinal uses to staple food for some parts of the world. It is now also grown in numerous parts of the United States.
Burdock is a root vegetable that has very long roots, which are black or brown in color. It was traditionally used as a digestive aid and a diuretic. With the advancement in research, scientists have now discovered various other benefits of burdock on health which are enough to certify that burdock is best suited for specific ailments.
Did You Know!
The burdock hooked burrs are known to cling on to the clothes and fur of a passerby. These were the inspiration behind the hook and loop fastener that we regularly use on our clothes and shoes.
Another technique or tool the Velcro was also first developed by George de Mestral, who was inspired by the Burdock plants’ seeds that latched on to clothes by their sharp hairy like structures.
The burdock plant has for long been used to ward off evil spirits; the flowers were woven into rugs.
Burdock – Nutritional Value
The burdock plant has been considered as a natural source of medicine. It can be easily incorporated into your daily diet. The burdock benefits can provide you with a hearty lifestyle.
The burdock has numerous health benefits and affects almost every organ from your body in a positive way.
It is zero in cholesterol, which directly reflects on heart health. Many ancient texts have proof that burdock root has been used in blood purification. It has been termed as ‘blood purifier’ in many scripts. It cleanses the bloodstream. The burdock roots have constituents that clean the heavy metals from the bloodstream, invariably improving organ health.
This improved blood circulation also improves the quality of the skin. It gives the skin a natural glow and softens it. Apart from this, consumption or burdock root helps to get rid of skin ailments like acne, eczema or even psoriasis.
The nutrients in the Burdock plant have a major effect on the lymphatic system. Also commonly known as the body’s ‘drainage system.’ The lymphatic system consists of blood vessels and lymph nodes that carry fluid and blood in the body. The blood and lymph system is the key to a healthy body as it wards off diseases. The burdock root induces the lymphatic detoxification and drainage system(2), and hence acts as a natural blood cleanser.
Burdock roots are a natural diuretic. A diuretic induces the kidneys to expel extra fluid and sodium. It can naturally induce the body to flush out excess water and increases passage of the urine. This will indirectly help the body to throw the waste outside the body quickly.
There have been numerous instances in the history of physicians using burdock root to treat the cancer-causing tumor. Many researchers have also found evidence that burdock root can prevent cancer cells from metastasizing. This has made burdock a natural cancer healing element. The burdock roots contain arctigenin, this is a lignan found in many other species of the Asteraceae family, and this component is known to fight the cancer cells.
In 2010 a research showed that burdock roots were a powerhouse of antioxidants. It contains phenolic acids, luteolin, quercetins, which are known to be promising antioxidants. Cell damage from oxidation is a major threat to the body. Free radicals are usually formed which can damage the cells and affect brain and heart health. Burdock root consumption protects the cells from this damage.
Traditionally burdock roots have been used as an aphrodisiac. Meaning it is suggested to enhance sexual function and behavior.
Burdock roots have been mainly used in Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines. To help you incorporate these in your diet, we have mentioned some yummy recipes you can try with these roots.
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1. Japanese Style Pickled Burdock
Image:ShutterStock
Ingredients: Two-inch pieces of thinly sliced ginger, three garlic cloves, 4-5 medium-sized burdock roots, one red chili sliced thinly, sliced into thin strips, tamari, apple cider vinegar, and salt
Directions:
Wash the burdock the roots well, to remove all the dirt.
Cut in too long 1-inch sticks.
Put the sticks in a pan and cover them with water.
Let it boil till they soften, and add all the other ingredients.
Mix well; you can store it in a closed container and refrigerate.
There is very little or no evidence available on the repercussions of burdock root consumption in children. However, you should not let your child eat burdock root without the consult of your pediatric specialist.
Ensure that you buy burdock roots from a trusted seller.
Burdock supplements should be taken only in moderation.
Burdock roots are safe to consume, as a part of your diet. They help in the overall cleansing of the body cells and blood. The health benefits of Burdock overpower all its side effects. With some precautions, it is safe to say that burdock roots help reduce all the toxins from your body. This anti-oxidant rich root is tasty and easy to cook. The recipes mentioned above offer health benefits with easy to make dishes that you can try at home.