Arctium lappa
(Burdock)
Therapeutic Actions:
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antitussive
- Aperient
- Blood purifier
- Cholagogue
- Complex polymer found in burdock reduces the mutagenicity of
direct and indirect mutagens
- Demulcent
- Diaphoretic
- Diuretic, especially the seeds
- GI stimulant
- Hormone restorative
- Hypoglycemic
- Inhibits Ehrlich ascite carcinoma and Yoshima sarcoma in mice
- Liver tonic
- Nervine
- Potent cytotoxic effects against HL-60 human lymphocytic
leukemia (lignans, including arctigenin)
- Promotes blood and lymph circulation
- Root contains a tumor growth inhibiting mixture
- Root contains water-soluble polysaccharides which exhibited
chemotactic activity for granulocytic leukocytes and antitumor
effects against solid sarcoma 37 tumor in CAFI mice
- Seed induces differentiation in mouse myeloid leukemia
cell
Clinical Indications:
Sore throat
Urinary calculi
UTI
Contraindications:
- Pregnancy due to the oxytocic effect and uterine stimulant action on animal uteri
Drug/Nutrient Interaction:
- Insulin should be monitored due to the hypoglycemic activity
Chemical Constituents:
Mucilage
Organic acids
Polysaccharides
Sesquaturpine lactone
Steroids - phytosterol and stigmasterol
Tannins
Vitamins:
Volatile oils
Toxicity:
- No known toxicity but long term use or excessive doses of the seed can cause urinary tract irritation
- Contains phytosterols - do not use excessively
Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).