Alterative, tonic, diuretic, diaphoretic, stomachic, aperient, depurative, antiscorbutic, demulcent.

It is one of the best alterative and depurative (blood-purifying) agents in nature but does not nauseate. Burdock root beneficially influences the skin, soothes the kidneys and relieves congestions of the lymphatic. It increases the flow of urine and it is a useful agent for removing excess and fatty (adipose) tissue. It also possesses wholesome nutritive value in the stalk when cut before the flower opens, is stripped of the bitter rind, boiled or used in salads (eat raw with oil and apple-cider vinegar); it has a delicate flavor of asparagus.

A large, biennial plant growing from a thick tap root. The leaves are on long stalks, many veined and wavy-edged, resembling rhubarb. Stout stalks, the second year, grow 4-6 feet tall. The flowers are small, magenta pink and white, solitary or clustered, followed by spherical burrs. Found along fences, roadsides, waste places walls and populated areas throughout the U.S.

Peel the roots of young small plants, cut and cook like carrots. When the flower heads start to form, the rough bloom stalk can be peeled and the core eaten raw or cooked. Change the first cooking water to remove the bitter taste. Historically a aperient, blood purifier, cholagogue, diaphoretic, and diuretic. The root, in its 2nd year, is an excellent blood cleanser which helps in skin diseases, burns, wounds, swellings, hemorrhoids, and canker sores. Use 1 cup of the decoction a day (l teaspoon of the root with I cup cold water, and let stand for 5 hrs, bring to a boil) or IO-25 drops of the tincture in "water 3-4 times a day. The fresh bruised leaves is a remedy for poison ivy or oak. Seeds should only be used, with medical supervision.