Arctium lappa (Hindi-Jangli kuth,Nepali-Kurya,Lahaul-Pichawag/Burdok,Zanskar-Miah,Western Himalayas-Birzung/Pitsuak, Popular-Bardana//Greater Burdock/Burdock Blood/Beggar's buttons/Clotbur/Cockle Buttons)Asteraceae.Syn-A.edule,Lappa major,Lappa officinalis.It is a shrub growing upto 1 m tall.Its roots develop branches and can reach 45-50 cm in depth and 3-6 cm in diameter.It has a cylindrical shape,thin brown skin and the interior varies from white to yellowish white.Initially, it forms a large rosette of basal leaves as long as 0.45 m.It is characterised by its erect stems,chordate leaves and flower heads globosely arranged in clusters.In India,it occus widely in the NW Himalayas at an altitude of 1800-2800 m and is commonly found in the hilly regions of temperate forests,mostly HP (Chamba,Kullu,Kinnaur,Lahaul,Spiti) and in the Zanskar valley of Kargil,J and K.It is also found in West Asia and Europe.It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments.Extracts of its root are found in a variety of herbal preparations as well as homeopathic remedies.It has been used as medicine and health supplement for hundreds of years in Europe,North America and Asia.It is popular as a medicinal plant in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)where it is extensively used for various ailments.It is widely cultivated for its root which is used as a medicine in TCM and as a vegetable especially in Korea, Japan and Brazil.The herb has antioxidant, antibacterial,anti inflammatory, anticancer,blood purifier,anti-HIV, antifungal, antidiabetic,antimutagenic, antiviral,urolytic,detoxifier, hepatoprotective, laxative, diuretic,depurative, diaphoretic, antirheumatic, antipyretic,antiobesity, and demulcent activities.The main phytoconstituents are tannin,arctigenin,arctiin,Beta-eudesmol,caffeic and chlorogenic acids,inulin,trachelogenin,lappaol and diarctigenin.Seeds are rich in vitamins A and B and essential fatty acids.Roots contain carbohydrates,fiber,protein,amino acids,minerals like K,Ca,Se,Mg and vitamins like A,B,C,E,K and Choline.The root is the most powerful medicinally.It purifies the blood by removing dangerous toxins.For this,take one cup root decoction once a day for 15 days,it is a very effective remedy for teenagers.It expels the unwanted fluids from the body through urination and sweating.For this,take one cup root decoction daily.Detoxification regulates the blood flow to the brain.It cures skin diseases like boils, psoriasis,fingers bacterial cultures,,acne and eczema.The root prevents the formation and growth of cancer cells.A poultice of the leaves is used to treat bed sores,fever, blisters,rashes and other skin diseases.The root is an excellent antihistamine (body produces histamine due to some allergic reaction or medication and there will be fluid buildup and you will feel congested).In arthritis,drink 3-4 cups of root decoction a day.In stomach problems,boil 4 tablespoons of dried root in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes,drink one cup throughout the day.Root stimulates the liver function and metabolism activities.This helps in harmonal balance and prevents the excessive growth of cells,thus preventing uterine fibroids.For this,have 2 cups of root tea everyday.It is very effective in eliminating heavy metals from the body.In traditional medicine,the seeds are crushed to form a paste which provides relief against measles, arthritis, tonsillitis,throat pain and common cold.Root tea is beneficial in skin, arthritis, enlarged spleen,cancers,cold and cough,liver problems,BP, detoxification,etc.Burdock tea has an earthy, sweet flavor.The root is harvested from the first-year plant prior to flowering.
– Mukherjee Bk
