Burdock

Genus: Arctium
latin name: Arctium lappa

Family: Asteraceae
Compounds: polyphenols and tannins
Parts used: roots
Properties: diuretic, diaphoretic, and a blood purifying agent.
Uses
external uses: burdock works well with yellow dock and Sarsapariglia for skin conditions, acne, eczema, psoriasis, wounds, scalp conditions and boils.
internal uses: is used as an antipyretic, antimicrobial, and a diuretic; it is also widely used as a blood purifier.

The Burdock comes from Scandinavia, Mediterranean area, British Isles, Russia, Middle East, China, Japan and India. It is also widespread throughout the Usa. The whole plant is a dull, pale green, the stem about 1 metre high and branched, rising from a biennial root. The lower leaves are very large, the upper leaves are much smaller, more egg-shaped in form and not so densely clothed beneath with the grey down. In the past the plant was used as vegetable, but now it is rarely used, with the exception of Japan and Korea.