(Arctium ssp)
Family: asteracea
Element: Earth, water
Parts Used: Generally roots, but seeds, leaves, and stalks can also be used
Habitat: Burdock grows along roadsides, ditch banks, old fields, and waste and neglected areas.
Growing Conditions: often shows up in poor soil and helps to break up and add nutrients to compacted deficient soil
Collection: to harvest root fall of first year, spring of second year. Seeds can be harvested fall of second year
Flavor, Temperature, Moisture state: sweet, cool, oily, salty, moist
Constituents: caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, lignans (mainly arctiin) and various flavonoids. The occurrence of some phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and cynarin) in burdock seeds; arctiin, luteolin and quercetin rhamnoside in burdock roots; phenolic acids, quercetin, quercitrin and luteolin in burdock leaves was reported for the first time.-[J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2010 Jan 20;51(2):399-404. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2009.03.018. Epub 2009 Mar 25.
Metabolic profile of the bioactive compounds of burdock (Arctium lappa) seeds, roots and leaves]
roots also rich in prebiotic starch inulin
Herbal Actions: Alterative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, demulcent, hepatoprotective (mild), lymph tonic, diuretic
Main Uses: Roots are used mainly as a nutritive in teas and stew. Seeds can be tinctured for more acute situations. Mainly used as an alterative to help clean blood(lymph, kidneys, and liver support) usually when there are boils and skin inflammation, has diuretic properties, helps reduce inflammation, nourishing, soothing, rich in antioxidants
Magical Energetics: protection, purification, tenacity, healing, grounding, spirit communication
Contraindications: Possible allergen, has diuretic properties that can increase the risk of dehydration
Flower Essence Energetics:
Solar: As it grows in poor compacted soil to bring health and vitality to the land it does the same action to our soul. Coming into our energetic field finding the stagnation and bringing our awareness and healing to places we have neglected and ignored. Clears away muckiness and fogginess in us.
Lunar: Protective and loving Burdock wants to support us through our dark times. Burdock helps us see the stars in the darkness and holds us as we find our comfort in the unfamiliar. A liaison to the healing spirit of nature, burdock is a trusted friend that will support us in our healing and connection to spirit.
I spent a month in contemplation and connection with Burdock this is my takeaway:
Daily I drank a quart of burdock root tea with 1 tsp burdock root tincture. I also took solar and lunar burdock flower essence (stock strength)3 X daily. I would meditate, reflect, and research burdock almost every day.
At first, I would notice I felt lighter and clearer. My dreams were more apparent and memorable. I definitely had less brain fog. After the physical lightness, I started to notice unhelpful emotional patterns that would come up, either through dreaming life or physical life. The pattern would be brought to my attention, and I could give it the space so I could a new pattern could unfold. It also gave me the space to help me feel more comfortable in my discomfort, meaning I was trusting in my path not overdoing trying to heal myself (with other flower essences or medicines), and letting the process unfold on its own. I also became more psychically sensitive, maybe because I was getting clearer or being more honest and authentic in myself, but I was getting more impressions and learning to differentiate them. The slow clarity of the burdock helped me find my pace. By feeling nourished and supported, burdock helped me soften my heart and find compassion for myself and others.
The connections I would make with Burdock on the astral plane were always sweet, tender, and loving(and healing). Which seems odd I think for a plant that is often looked at with so much disdain in our society. Healer and guardian of the planet and people burdock is an amazing friend.
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