Burdock is from the Asteraceae family and is actually called Arctium. The Burdock plant has large dark green leaves with a coarse and heart shaped. They flower from July through October and have prickly heads. The thickest part of the root can be harvested and eaten and is very popular in Asia.

The root is crisp and has a sweet, mild taste with a little muddy harshness.  The immature flowers are harvested in late spring before flowering begins, and taste like artichoke. The stalks are peeled and can be eaten raw or boiled in salt. The leaves are eaten in spring in Japan when they are young and soft. Prior to hops the Burdock root was used as a bittering agent in beer.

Burdock Oil is created by combining the root with some type of plant based oil, such as olive oil. The process is usually done via a cold extraction process that allows the nutrients of the root to disperse throughout the oil. The root is also used to produce what is known as burdock seed oil by extracting the essential fatty acids from the seeds of the Burdock plant.

Burdock Oil Benefits

Burdock Oil is known to be rich in phytosterols and essential fatty acids, including rare long-chain EFAs. Medicinal purposes for Burdock Oil in various forms of alternative health care, includes using the oil extracted from the seeds for a tincture. The tincture can be made using Burdock root and olive oil mixed with an alcohol base. Burdock plant that is harvested in the first or early second year contains vitamin E and vitamin B complex.  Burdock Oil also contains phosphorus, potassium, cobalt, chromium, iron, zinc, silicon, sodium, thiamine and magnesium. Here are some of the benefits of Burdock Oil:

• Diuretic (increases urination)
• Skin care and conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis
• Treats bacterial skin infections such as boils and abscesses
• Treats sore throats and colds
• Decongestant
• Hair and scalp conditioning (hair growth)
• Laxative
• Depurative (purifying blood)
• Anti-oxidant
• Immune stimulation
• Promotes hepatic function
• Promotes weight loss
• Lowers blood sugars
• Improves lipid profiles
• Reduces heart disease and the risk of stroke
• Anti-inflammatory
• Decreases platelet stickiness (decreases blood viscosity)
• Anti-tussive (cough suppressant)
• Treats stomach upset and pain (irritable bowel syndrome)
• Antipyretic (lowers fever)
• Anti-cancer properties with proven scientific studies demonstrating its effectiveness in treating certain cancers.
• Treats fungal infection
• Stimulates uterine contractions
• Treats kidney stones
• Treats gallstones

Burdock Oil’s benefits are so great, it is often used as herbal supplement too. The root of the Burdock contains polyacetylenes – phytochemicals which kill certain types of fungi and bacteria. It is used for treating both fungal and bacterial infections that include urinary tract infections, acne and, ringworm. With Burdock’s antibacterial properties they promote wound healing and help with treating ulcers.

Burdock root consumption also helps when treating gastrointestinal conditions, stomach ailments and will also stimulate digestive organs. It is believed that consuming Burdock Oil helps in controlling liver damage and also prevents future damage. It also promotes flow and release of bile, which helps in liver cleansing and also aids digestive process.

Burdock Oil is used extensively in relieving various skin disorders by preparing skin ointments to treat various issues like eczema, psoriasis and acne.

Other benefits of Burdock Oil are the ability in fighting hypoglycemia. Burdock contains good proportion of the agent that promotes insulin production that is found in the human body.

Burdock Oil Uses

• Dandelion and burdock is a popular soft drink still today in the United Kingdom.
• Add a few drops to your hand lotion for healthy and moisturized skin.
• Tab a cotton ball soaked with Burdock Oil for those wounds or bites to heal quicker.
• Relax in the bath with a few drops of Burdock Oil in the water to feel refreshed and relaxed.
• Use a few drop in diffuser and breathe deep for stuffiness and congestion.
• Mix a few drops in your daily shampoo for healthier and cleaner looking hair.
• To help lower a fever, take a cold compress soaked in a solution of water and a few drops of Burdock Oil. Keep refreshing the compress in the water solution. Repeat until the fever is back to normal range.
• For more serious hair issues try a Burdock Oil heat treatment. Apply Burdock Oil mixed with Olive Oil thats been heated just for a few seconds. Apply to your hair and rub into scalp then wrap with a towel or plastic cap. Let the oils soak in for about an hour then wash hair normally without using conditioner.

Burdock Oil Side Effects

Burdock oil does not seem to produce any side effects, but always use a patch test if you suspect you’re sensitive to a particular oil.