Are you in need of something different to use in your new creations? Well, how about burdock root? This herb is most well known for its wide variety of medicinal uses, however it can also be used for skin care, bath and body products, soap making, culinary purposes, and even for hair care! This beautiful plant actually produces those strange burrs that can get stuck on your clothing or even your animals! Did you know that those burrs were actually the inspiration for Velcro? In the 1940s, a Swiss inventor named George de Mestral became intrigued with how the burrs stuck to his dog and his clothing. He put the burrs under a microscope, looking at the hook system. He realized how that hook system could be implemented for other uses and there you go! His studies resulted in Velcro!
There are many wonderful medicinal benefits to using burdock root. Native Americans used burdock root to aid in digestion, and in traditional Chinese medicine burdock root is used to treat tonsillitis, sore throats, measles, colds, and the flu. The practice of holistic medicine uses burdock root to treat cancer. It has some antitumor effects and has many purifying properties. Burdock root is a great herb to protect the heart from many problems. It keeps the blood free of toxins and other free radicals, lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. Pregnant women should avoid burdock root however as it can cause possible damage to the fetus. Did you know that burdock root can increase a persons’ sex drive? Or that it can promote sweating? Other conditions that can be treated using burdock root include fevers, anorexia, joint pain, rheumatism, gout, bladder infections, hepatitis, and it can even be used as a weight loss aid!
Common bath and body products that can include burdock root are soaps, massage oils, bath bombs, body wash, liquid soap, lotions, scrubs, facial masks, ointments, creams, and facial toners. Your skin can greatly benefit from burdock root. Burdock is actually considered one of the most important herbs for treating skin conditions. Some of those include styes, canker sores, syphilis sores, eczema, psoriasis, herpes, skin ulcers, acne, carbuncles, and boils. It is also great for dry skin. Your hair can even benefit from burdock root! It helps to treat and fight dandruff, stop flaky scalp, promote new hair growth, and burdock root is also great for using to condition dry scalp.
Did you know that burdock was considered sacred by the early Celts and Germanic people? It was considered sacred to the heavenly bear, Thor who reigned over summer storms. They placed burdock on gables as protecting from giants and lightning. Are you still curious about this wonderful herb? Well then make sure to check out our free Burdock Root Class which will give you even more information on Burdock Root Uses! While you’re there, check out our Burdock Root Powder as well! This is one herb you just can’t say no to! So go ahead and try it in our Soothing Facial Mask Recipe and let us know what you think! Please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Nature’s Garden with any thoughts, concerns, or questions you may have and watch out for more Enlightened by Layla!
Nature’s Garden sells burdock root for external use only. We do not sell it as a food item. The information above talks about how great burdock is for many industries, however we only sell it for external use. We provide this data for educational purposes only. Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using this product or any of this information for treatment purposes.