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Burdock Root: A Weed with Many Benefits | How to Grow, Harvest | Edible & Medicinal How to's

Updated: Dec 16, 2022


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Burdock is a weed that can be found growing in many parts of the world. It has many benefits and has been used for centuries as a medicine. Burdock is also edible and can be used in a variety of recipes. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of burdock, where it’s commonly found, how to use it medicinally and culinarily, and some of its medicinal properties


Burdock root is a long, slender root vegetable that has a brown, knobby exterior. It grows underground and is often harvested from wild plants. Burdock root can be harvested from wild plants or cultivated in gardens. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate poor growing conditions. However, the roots are the best quality when they are harvested from young plants. Burdock root can be found in most Asian markets or ordered online.


How to grow Burdock root at home


To grow your own burdock at home, you will need to start by planting the seeds in a pot or garden bed in a sunny location. The soil should be rich in nutrients and well-draining. Keep the soil moist throughout the growth process by watering regularly, but avoid overwatering. You should also make sure that there are no weeds growing near your burdock plants as these can compete with them for important nutrients and water. With some patience and care, you can harvest fresh burdock roots for use in herbal remedies or delicious culinary dishes!


Best time to harvest burdock root


Beginning in early fall and continuing until mid-winter, is considered to be the best time for harvesting burdock root. During this period, roots that are dug up will be at their peak of maturity and will contain the most nutrients and medicinal properties.


In addition to these qualities, harvested burdock root retains its freshness much better than roots harvested at other times of the year. Because it is easily dried, kept out of direct sunlight, and stored in a cool, dry place, burdock root can be used all year long as a nourishing and healing herbal remedy.


If you're looking to harvest high-quality burdock root for your health or home remedies collection, fall is definitely the time to do it!


Minerals in burdock root





Burdock root is a nutrient-rich plant that contains a variety of minerals, including:


  • Iron

  • Magnesium

  • Manganese

  • Potassium

  • Zinc


Edible properties:


Burdock root tea has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It is often used as a side dish or added to soups and stews.


Burdock root is also a popular culinary ingredient in many Asian cuisines. It can be served boiled or steamed, and it has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Burdock root can also be used to make tea, and it is sometimes added to soups and stews.


As mentioned above, Burdock root is a nutrient-rich plant that contains a variety of minerals, including iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc. Burdock root is an incredibly versatile and beneficial plant that should be a part of any healthy diet. Whether cooked in a savory dish or consumed as a tea or supplement. So if you're looking for a natural source of minerals and other essential nutrients, look no further than burdock root!


How to make homemade burdock root tea:


Ingredients:


  • Burdock root

  • Water

  • Honey (optional)


Instructions:

  • Chop the burdock root into small pieces.

  • Add the chopped burdock root to a pot of water and bring to a boil.

  • Reduce the heat and let the tea simmer for 15 minutes.

  • Strain the tea and add honey to taste. Enjoy!



Medicinal properties


Burdock root is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, and it has a wide range of potential health benefits. For example, burdock root is thought to help detoxify the liver and improve digestion. Additionally, burdock root is sometimes used as a natural treatment for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.



Burdock root benefits for skin




Burdock root extract is a natural ingredient that has many benefits for the skin. It's often used in skincare products due to its ability to soothe and calm the skin. In addition, burdock root extract can help to diminish the appearance of blemishes and breakouts.


Burdock root extract is also a natural source of antioxidants and can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.


When used regularly, burdock root extract can help to keep the skin looking youthful and radiant.


How to make burdock root extract for skin


There are many ways to make burdock root extract for the skin.


One popular method is to:

  • Mix equal parts of dried burdock root and water in a bowl.

  • Then apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball or pad.

  • Once the extract has been applied, it can be left on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.


Another way to make burdock root extract is to add a few tablespoons of dried burdock root to a cup of boiling water.


After the water has been boiled, it should be allowed to cool before applying it to the skin.


As with the previous method, the extract can be left on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off.


Whichever method you choose, be sure to store the leftover extract in a glass jar or bottle in a cool, dark place.


Benefits of Burdock root for hair


Burdock root has long been used as a natural remedy for a variety of health and beauty concerns.


In particular, its soothing properties have made it an ideal treatment for many types of hair-related issues, including dry scalp, dandruff, and minor tangles and snags. Furthermore, due to its high content of essential fatty acids, burdock root is also extremely beneficial for promoting healthy hair growth and keeping hair looking lustrous and full.


Thus, when it comes to maintaining beautiful, manageable hair, the humble burdock root should certainly be considered one of nature's most valuable tools.


Best time of day to take burdock root


Burdock root is most commonly taken as a supplement to help detoxify the body and boost liver and kidney health.


While there is no definitive answer as to the best time of day to take burdock root, many experts recommend taking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.


This allows the body to more easily absorb the nutrients from the supplement.


The best way to consume burdock root


Burdock root can be taken in capsule form or brewed into a tea. When taking burdock root in capsule form, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.


Burdock root tea can be brewed using either fresh or dried roots. For best results, try brewing a fresh cup of tea each morning.


Adding a bit of honey or lemon can help to mask the somewhat bitter taste of the tea.


Best burdock root to buy


Be sure to buy organic burdock root for the best results whether you intend to use burdock root for medicinal or edible reasons.


Double-check your burdock root when it arrives, I once bought it from a brand on Amazon and it had white mould on it.


I recommend buying burdock root from Frontier Co-op because they were one of the first suppliers to go organic before it was trendy in 1978. They also maintain a close relationship with their farmers by meeting them personally and they are certified fair trade.


You can find their burdock root on Amazon. Click here to see today's prices



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