Burdock
(Arctium tomentosum)
(Other names: Dulkarıgömleği, Hanımyaması) It is from the Compositae family. It is a durable perennial herbaceous plant whose homeland is unknown and grows in rural areas and roadsides in the Eastern and Northern Anatolian regions of our country. Burdock, which likes shady and humid places, can grow to 30-60 cm.
It has an upright trunk that branches; large leaves; bright purple or red flowers that bloom in the summer months. The underside of the leaves is hairy, veined and white. The leaves near the flower are smaller. The hooks on the bracts are caught in the fur of animals roaming the field. In this way, the seeds of the plant are dispersed to the environment. The plant reproduces with these seeds.
The rhizome and leaves of burdock contain inulin, volatile oil, tannin, bitter glycosides, some antimicrobial substances and alkaloids. The leaves of the plant are eaten as a vegetable in our Eastern Anatolia region.
These medicinal effects of burdock, whose beneficial effects on health have been known since the Roman period, and the methods of using them
Chemical Composition: The plant contains % 45 inulin, protein, sitosterin, stigmasterin, etheric oil, phytosterin, tannins, fatty substances, organic acids, calcium, phosphate and sulphates, sodium, magnesium, resins, bitter substances etc. Arctin glycoside was found in the seeds, tannic substances, helmeli substances and etheric oil were found in the leaves.
In Which Diseases Is It Used: The plant accelerates the reproduction of cells, has disinfection, diuretic, and diaphoretic effects. It is used in skin diseases (boils, eczema, inflammatory acne), disorders in the oil-secreting glands in the skin, and liver diseases.
Burdock roots are recommended in folk medicine for rheumatism, hemorrhoids, malaria, stomach ulcers, and gastritis.
Externally, it is used in the form of a poultice for rheumatism, nicks, sprains, bruises and piles, by rubbing rheumatic areas with 1/10 of turpentine oil or strong raki tincture; and against hair loss with the same amount of olive oil.
1. It is a diuretic.
2. It has a mild laxative effect.
3. It is a tonic that strengthens the body.
4. It purifies the blood.
5. It is a sudorific.
6. It has a positive effect on gout disease.
7. It facilitates digestion by increasing digestion and bile secretions. It stimulates the appetite.
In order to provide these effects, the root is dug up in the autumn and cleaned. It is sliced and dried carefully. 1 teaspoon of dried root is brought to the boiling point in 1 glass of water, the heat is reduced, the heating is continued for another 10-15 minutes and a glass of the prepared decoction is drunk three times a day.
Burdock is also effective in treating skin problems. It is good for oily and acne-prone skin. It cuts dandruff in the hair. It accelerates the healing of wounds and ulcers on the skin. It has healing effects against eczema and psoriasis.
In order to provide positive effects against such skin problems, a poultice is prepared with the leaves of the plant. The poultice is applied externally to the affected areas. However, in psoriasis and eczema, treatment should be continued for a long time until signs of improvement are seen.
Burdock is also effective against rheumatic pain. To provide this positive effect, the hairy underside of the young and large leaves of the plant is placed on the painful area and wrapped with a cloth, ensuring that it remains there overnight without slipping. This application is effective in relieving the pain that day. For permanent treatment, the poultice prepared above should be spread in a cheesecloth and wrapped on the painful area of rheumatism, and the treatment should be continued for a long time.
