Burdock
plant grows to a height of about 2-4 feet tall. Leaves are large, broad,
heart-shaped, coarse leaves that are deep-green on the top and light green on
underside. Leaves can grow to 40 cm in size. The plant has broad pinkish
flowers on tips of prickly ball of bracts. Each floret is a disc-floret. It is
surrounded by several rows of overlapping hooked bracts. The hooked burrs stick
to fur and clothing. Some burrs have a network of white threads between neighboring
burrs. Roots are about 1-2 feet long and about 1-2 inch in diameter. It is
tough and has woody texture. On the outside, root features dark brown color.
Inside it features white fibrous flesh. When exposed to air, the flesh begins
to darken. Burdock root is considered an edible food product. It is sweet to
the taste and has a gummy consistency.
Burdock
has many medicinal qualities all its parts are used in many herbal remedies.
Burdock
contains powerful antioxidants, such as phenolic acids, quercetin and luteolin.
It is rich in inulin and mucilage, carbohydrates, volatile acids, plant
sterols, fatty oils, tannins, flavonoids, lactome. Burdock also contains
vitamins B1, B6, B12, A, C, biotin, folic acid and some minerals such as iron,
potassium, magnesium, marganese, sodium, chromium, cobalt, zinc, calcium,
selenium, phosphorous, silicon.
Luteolin
reduces age-associated inflammation in brain leading to better cognitive
health.
Inulin
helps reduce blood-sugar level, body-weight, and cholesterol levels in the
blood.
Burdock
has been used in many folk remedies as one of the best blood purifiers, as a
diuretic, diaphoretic and laxative. Burdock tea helps in stimulating the
secretion of bile. It prevents colds, flu and cystitis. Burdock helps control
heart rate and blood pressure. It helps treat respiratory tract conditions,
asthma, tonsillitis, throat pain, stomach ailments, gout, cancers, fevers,
rheumatism, ulcers, eczema, acne and psoriasis.
Burdock
root can prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth.
Burdock
root oil extract also called Bur oil, is used as a treatment for scalp problems
like dandruff, hair loss. With vitamins and strong antioxidants bur oil
prevents future hair breakage. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
properties aid to maintain the scalp clean and healthy. Bur oil works to
intensely moisturize scalp penetrating into the pores. It is very useful for
all types of hair, but is particularly good for dry, damaged hair, split ends
and hair that is prone to tangling and damage. So when you see that you are
losing hair at a much quick rate, you need to thick of using bur oil to stop
hair loss.
How to
make homemade bur oil?
To make
your own bur oil you only need burdock root and olive oil. This is a very simple
and efficient guide for very good and inexpensive bur oil.
Instructions
Wash
the burdock root in water, and let it dry completely.
The
root peel and cut into 1 inch pieces. You can use cut & sifted burdock
root.
Put it
in a glass jar.
Then
add olive oil until it just covers all the pieces of burdock root.
Cover
the glass jar and leave to soak in a dark place. Let it sit for 3-4 weeks.
Then
stain the infused oil into a clean jar. Your homemade bur oil is ready to use.
How to
use bur oil for hair
You
need to wash your hair and ensure that they are clean.
Heat
the bur oil mildly so that you can use it easily.
Put a
small amount of bur oil in the palm of your hand and massage through the hair.
Repeat the massage process bit by bit until the hair is completely covered with
bur oil.
After
hair and scalp massage, gather it all and cover your head with a shower cap for
at least one hour. Let bur oil completely absorb into scalp and hair before you
wash it away.
Wash
your hair. Shampoo twice or thrice or as needed to remove all the oil from your
head.
Use
this bur oil once a week.
You can
use burdock root hair rinse.
How to make burdock decoction.
Place 1
oz of dried and cut root into a stainless steel or enamel saucepan.
Cover
the roots with a quart of cold water.
Bring
the water to the boil, then turn down the heat down and allow it to simmer for
around 10-15 minutes.
Once
the liquid cools down, strain it. Use this decoction as a rinse after shampoo
or conditioning 2 to 3 times a week. Do not rinse out. This rinse helps to
stimulate hair follicles as well as nourishes the hair shaft imparting extra
shine and softness to it.
Where
can I purchase the burdock root?
You can
find burdock root at any health food stores.
Organic
cut& stiff burdock root can be purchased from online stores and local shops
selling health food.
You can
use organic cut & sifted burdock root which you can easily find in stores
or on Iherb store here for $ 12.21 .
Retail Price = $21
IHerb.com Price = $12.21
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