Arctium minus

Arctium minus
Family:Arctium minus; Alterative; Antibacterial; Antifungal; Aperient; Blood purifier; Carminative; Cholagogue; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Hypoglycaemic.
Common name:Lesser burdock
Burdock is one of the foremost detoxifying herbs in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine. Arctium lappa is the main species used though this species has similar properties. The dried root of one year old plants is the official herb but the leaves and fruits can also be used. It is used to treat conditions caused by an 'overload' of toxins such as throat and other infections boils rashes and other skin problems. The root is thought to be particularly good at helping to eliminate heavy metals from the body. The plant is antibacterial antifungal and carminative. It has soothing mucilaginous properties and is said to be one of the most certain cures for many types of skin diseases burns bruises etc. It is used in the treatment of herpes eczema acne impetigo ringworm boils bites etc. The plant can be taken internally as an infusion or used externally as a wash. Use with caution. One-year old roots are alterative aperient blood purifier cholagogue depurative diaphoretic diuretic and stomachic. The seed is alterative antibacterial antifungal antiphlogistic depurative diaphoretic diuretic and hypoglycaemic. It is used in the treatment of colds with sore throat and cough measles pharyngitis acute tonsillitis and abscesses. The crushed seed is poulticed onto bruises. The seed is harvested in the summer and dried for later use. The seed contains arctiin this excites the central nervous system producing convulsions an increase in respiration and later paralysis. It also lowers the blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels. The leaves are poulticed onto burns ulcers and sores.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 01:19 []