What Is Burdock Used For?
Burdock is a plant that belongs to the daisy family. It is indigenous to Northern Asia and Europe, where it is considered a vegetable.-
Function
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Burdock is used by herbalists as a diuretic, diaphoretic and blood cleanser. Burdock oil is used in treatment of skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.
Appearance
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The plant has a 3- to 4-feet tall stem with large, heart-shaped leaves and round purple flowers at the top.
Precautions
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Pregnant or nursing women should avoid use of burdock for medicinal purposes as it can be harmful to the fetus. There hasn't been a lot of research done on the effects of burdock, so it is wise to avoid using it in large quantities.
Famous Ties
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Burdock seeds were the inspiration behind the invention of Velcro by Swiss engineer George de Mestral in 1941.
Fun Fact
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Dandelion and burdock is a traditional soft drink, popular in the British Isles. It tastes a lot like American root beer.
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