Ancient "Routes" to Flawless Health and Beauty
What do carrots, turnips, ginseng, turnips, onions, and ginger have in common? These are the “roots” that you consume almost every day. Add one more – burdock. This ancient, also lesser-known root will amaze you with its benefits for the digestive, urinary and lymphatic systems. The details are as follows.
Knowing the Roots Burdock
Belong to the genus Arctium from the family Asteraceae beautiful, plant burdock (or button shells) are native to Europe and Asia. But lately, they have grown in various parts of the world.
Due to its crunchy, muddy, rough and slightly overpowering but sweet taste, burdock root has grown in popularity in the food and beverage industry. But, why should you add it to your ‘root consumption list’?
Benefits of Root Burdock
Burdock root is a rich source of fiber and has a high water content. Contains polyphenols which have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
The roots not only purify your blood, but also promote healthy hair, skin, intestines and kidneys. Read on to find out how to do it.
1. Prevent Hair Loss
Your head has about 150,000 hair follicles, and 80-90% of them are in the growth phase (anagen) at some point in time, while the rest (10%) are in the resting phase (telogen). The proportions of the follicles in the anagen and telogen phases decide the size of your hair loss. Root burdock contains tannins, fiber (inulin), essential fatty acids, and vitamins that promote hair growth and heal fast hair loss.
Use
You can boil the roots burdock in regular hair oil or add the tincture to the water and directly onto the scalp.
2. Purifying the Blood
The simplest way to get good skin and hair is good or pure blood. That’s exactly what roots do burdock. It has antioxidants and flavonoids as quercetin which looks for toxic ions and bad microbes in your blood and removes them. This ultimately leaves your blood free of impurities and infections – it offers detox complete!
Use
You can brew a small cup of tea with powdered roots burdock or root burdock crushed in it (like ginger).
You might also try chewing the roots burdock raw (cleaned) with sea salt.
3. Premature Aging and Anti-Inflammation
Because it functions in the blood and circulatory system, roots burdock has a direct effect on the skin. Active compounds such as arctiin, lignans, etc., have matrix-stimulating properties, which give you supple, younger-looking skin. It also fights acne and eczema due to its blood-purifying activities.
Use
You can make a root mask burdock by mixing the dry root powder with water and applying it on the face.
4. Prevent and Fight Cancer
A study in 2011 described root extract activity burdock against several types of cancer – especially of the liver and pancreas. The anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of this root are due to the presence of an acid derivative caffeoylquinic (4). It acts directly on cancer cells that proliferate and stops them from metastasis.
Use
Join the roots burdock or extract it in any way in your diet to reduce cancer risk as well as treat cancer in its early stages.
5. Increase Endurance and Performance of Body Organs
Due to the presence of an acid derivative caffeoylquinic, root burdock have an effect hepatoprotective, that is, protects the liver and its cells. Patients with liver injury due to alcohol or drug abuse can consume this in regulated doses.
If you have an enlarged spleen, which indicates compromised immunity, you are on the right page! Because of the roots burdock cleansing your blood, which is filtered by your spleen, indirectly cleans and protects it too.
Use
You can make root potions burdock boil it with other herbs such as ginseng or licorice root in water and consume it in small doses for best results.
6. Treat PCOS and Irregular Mooning
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) it is now becoming more common than acne in women. Traditional medicine in Asia and Africa uses roots burdock to cure menstrual irregularities.
Because of the roots burdock fighting free radicals and other oxidants present in the blood by acting on the liver and spleen, the secretion of estrogen and progesterone will be regulated. It’s a kind of hormonal imbalance, which is usually the main reason for PCOS.
Use
You can consume the herb or tea or eat the raw root in small doses for relief from menstrual cramps and irregular periods.
7. Improves Kidney Health
One of the root benefits burdock is probably its diuretic activity. Diuretic agents remove excess water and prevent fluid retention and accumulation of toxins in our body. Root burdock stimulates increased urine production and blood purification, helping the kidneys to do their job. This takes the pressure off them and ensures they are happy and kicking!
Use
Eating small meals each day with your meals will detoxify the urinary system and prevent stone formation in the kidneys and gallbladder.
8. Smooth Digestion
According to a study, inulin, a dietary fiber extracted from plants like burdock, encourages the growth of certain beneficial gut bacteria. That’s why you can use burdock root as a prebiotic in your diet – it helps in better digestion and assimilation of nutrients in your intestines.
Nutritional profile of roots burdock responsible for the benefits listed above.
It is packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which provide this amazing benefit. It has high levels of folic acid, calcium, omega-3, and crude fiber, which makes it a necessary supplement to the diet.
And if you’re still not sure about adding it to your diet, here are some interesting facts about burdock root and its relatives.
- Dandelion and burdock is a close cousin biologically. You can top up your soups or ingredients with it for added benefits.
Burdock root bark has a higher proportion of antioxidants and flavonoids. Try cleaning the roots thoroughly and cooking them thoroughly.
Chicory, a major component of Indian tea (Assam, Nilgiri, etc.), also close relatives burdock. Avoid drinking tea chicory if you are dehydrated. - Burdock root fights diabetes by improving pancreatic cell health and reducing the level of free insulin in the blood.
Belladonna and Nightshade, a deadly weed, bears a close resemblance to plants burdock. Be aware of what you choose. - Potassium levels, magnesium, and high fiber makes burdock should be added to the list of “heart healthy” diets.
Side effects
1. Causes Allergies
If you are allergic to plants from the family Asteraceae, as daisy, aster, chamomile, chrysanthemum, dandelion, dahlia, and lettuce, you are likely to develop allergies to burdock too. Consult a doctor if you wish to include burdock in the diet despite hypersensitivity.
2. May Not Be Suitable For Use Pediatric
There is very little information regarding the use of roots burdock for children. It has had less favorable and more dangerous results in children under 18 years of age. Consult your doctor before adding pieces burdock to your child’s diet.
3. Affect Pregnancy
Root burdock known as an agent oxytocic and stimulants uterus. It induces uterine contractions (labor, in simple terms) in women who take them during pregnancy, according to a study. This increases the risk of preterm labor as well. Pregnant women should refrain from having roots burdock or do it under close medical supervision. It is the same with couples in the preconception stage.
4. Worsens Dehydration
Imagine what will happen to your body if you suffer from diarrhea or vomiting and you are asked to consume root soup burdock? Ouch! It will drain you because it is a diuretic. Consider carefully before taking any of the diuretic agents that contain flavonoids when you are dealing with dehydration.
Conclusion
Root burdock are an appropriate addition to your diet if consumed within certain limits and in some cases, under medical guidance. After all, who doesn’t want to have healthy hair and gut all at once in an easy way?
Reference
- Metabolic profile of the bioactive… ”Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
2. “Natural Arctium lappa fruit …” US National Library of Medicine
3. “Antioxidative and in vitro antiproliferative activity …” International Society for Complementary Medicine Research (ISCMR)
4. “Antioxidative caffeoylquinic acid derivatives …” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
5. “Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa …” US National Library of Medicine
6. “Prebiotic effectiveness of inulin extracted…” ScienceDirect, Food Microbiology
7. “Herbal medicinal products during …” BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology