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Arctium lappa
Latin Binomial
Arctium lappa
Common Names
Burdock, Gobo, Burr burr
Species Used
A. lappa, similar species are A. minus, A. tomentosum
Family
Compositae/Asteraceae
Habitat
Arctium is an introduced European plant that grows along roadsides, pastures and in abandoned lots.
Botanical Description
Arctium lappa is a biennial thistle that may grow 2-6 feet tall. A large brownish-gray taproot supports the plant and gives rise to the stem. Large egg or heart-shaped leaves have a thin, woolly down on their undersurfaces. Flowers are purple with a calyx of scales with hooks.
Parts Used
Roots, seeds, leaves
Historical Uses
In Japan Arctium is known as Gobo and has been used as food for about 1,000 years after Buddhist monks brought the plant into the country. They used the root to cure such things as constipation and mercury poisoning and the leaves externally to heal rashes and burns. Today many Japanese as well as Europeans use Arctium as food and medicine. In Europe during the world wars Arctium was used as a treatment for wounds. Pilgrims brought A. lappa over to North America and native Americans quickly added the plant to their herbal repertories for its blood purifying abilities, as a kidney tonic and also to increase concentration. Paracelsus recommended Arctium as a hair-growing agent.
Constituents
inulin, tannin, polyacetylenes, volatile oils, non-hydroxyl acids and polyphenolic acids
Medicinal Actions
Alterative, antimutagenic, diuretic, diaphoretic, laxative, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, and bitter.
Medicinal Uses
Arctium is tonifying in its action and is known as a blood purifier. The herb is valuable because of its alterative actions, which increase the body's ability to break down toxins and eliminate them, thus improving the quality of the blood. This herb greatly benefits the skin, making Arctium indicated in problems with dry, scaly skin, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and boils.
The bitter effect of Arctium lends its use in strengthening the digestive system. Bitter herbs act to stimulate the appetite by enhancing the secretion of digestive juices. The leaves also act on the digestive system by stimulating the secretion of bile which increases absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.
Arctium is valuable in treating kidney and urinary disorders. It gently stimulates and soothes the kidneys to eliminate uric acid, making the herb useful in treating gout and rheumatism.
Arctium is also considered to be an anti-mutagen and is added to anti-cancer formulas because it stimulates white blood cells. However, Arctium should not be used alone for this purpose.
Arctium has anti-inflammatory effects and is used adjunctively to treat rheumatic arthritis.
A traditional way to use Arctium is to prepare it as food. The root is very good chopped up in stir-fried dishes and is an integral part of macrobiotic cooking. Below is a recipe for Arctium that can be used as a nutritious snack:
Recipe for Pickled Arctium
Ingredients:
Arctium root
Water-enough to steam the Arctium
soy sauce
vinegar
Directions:
Steam the Arctium roots and save the water. Combine 1/3 part of the saved water with 1/3 part of the soy sauce and 1/3 part of the vinegar. Add it to the steamed Arctium and place in a container that can be sealed. Let sit for 2 weeks and then enjoy.
Please Note: The information contained in this section of the web site is directed toward people with technical knowledge in the botanical medicine field. We provide this information as a service to naturopathic physicians, pharmacognocists, pharmacists, midwives, plant chemists and medical herbalists and we encourage health professionals to obtain a more general education in the area before applying treatments to themselves or their patients. Bastyr University assumes no responsibility for the results obtained from using this information. If you have a serious or lingering health concern, it is important to discuss it with a health care provider.
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