The plant
The burdock (Arctium iappa ) is a bushy plant, characterized by heart-shaped leaves covered with soft down and purple flowers, contained in an envelope with hooked bracts.
In Italy it is quite common, so much so that it is considered a weed due to the ease with which it spreads; it is found mainly in uncultivated land, in mountain or country paths and in woods.
Properties and components
The roots of this plant, collected before flowering or in the autumn period, are considered one of the most effective natural adjuvants in draining and purification therapies. .
In fact, its intake facilitates the elimination of toxins through the excretory organs ( liver , kidneys and skin).
Burdock roots are rich in lignans , B -complex vitamins , amino acids , trace elements and tannins ; but above all inulin , which has a draining and purifying action on the blood.
Given its purifying action it is considered a friend of the skin : for this reason it is successfully used in the treatment of disorders such as acne and furunculosis, usually combining an oral intake with a topical use; in this way the elimination of the impurities that constitute the origin and the sebum-regulation are favored.
Curiosity
The name derives from the ancient Greek àrcteion , which means “bear”. This name is probably due to the hairy appearance of the plant itself. As regards, however, the species of belonging "lappa", the name should even derive from the Celtic term " llap " which means hand, due in this case to the flowers of this plant they stick to anything that touches them, like a hand that he clings to what passes by him.
Another curiosity concerns the symbolism : in the language of flowers, the burdock represents confidentiality and reluctance. This is because the plant, due to its thorny flower heads, keeps people away.
The burdock also appears in an ancient medieval proverb which, extolling its properties, said: "If you want to keep old age away, make friends with chicory and burdock".
A bit of history
It is believed that it was the first toilet paper of the ancestors, in fact it would have been used for this purpose as early as 589 AD in China. If you were in the vegetation, the leaves of the plants were used, and among these there was the burdock which, due to its large soft and velvety leaves, was perfectly suited to physiological needs.
In ancient folk medicine it was often used as an antidote against the bites of poisonous snakes and dogs suffering from rabies; this indicates how much value was attributed to the ability of the burdock to "penetrate" deeply to exercise its beneficial properties.
Since ancient times it has been consumed both as a vegetable and as a medicinal plant : in fact, its use as an effective remedy in case of serious infections was very common.
Throughout the Middle Ages until the discovery of America, this plant was used as a substitute for coffee , sometimes together with chicory, by grinding its roasted roots.
The commercialization of the burdock began in 1857 thanks to Joseph Gayetty, while the Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral was inspired by it to invent the velcro in 1948.
Burdock can be found in the Enhanced Kidney Purifier !