This particular plant was requested specifically by a friend. He is already aware of quite a few of the health benefits of burdock but was interested in more of the other medicinal and metaphysical properties of this versatile and healing plant.
Burdock
Arctium lappa
Gender: Masculine (despite having many feminine qualities)
Element: Water, earth
Planet: Venus, Saturn
Zodiac Sign: Libra, Sagittarius, Taurus
Celtic Zodiac/ Date: N/A
Lunar Month: N/A
Tarot: N/A
Rune: N/A
Ogham: N/A
Crystal: N/A
Deities: N/A
Associated Festival: N/A
Chakras: N/A
Birth Month: N/A
Meaning: Cleansing and protection
Type: Biennial (taking 2 years to complete a biological cycle) weed
Grows in Zone: 2-10
Plant for Bees?: Yes
Natural pesticide?: No
Poisonous/ Toxic: No
Burdock, also known as Fox’s Clote, Bat Root, Thorny Burr, Love leaves, and Beggar’s Buttons—referring to the bright round flowers—are folkloric names for the same plant. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Burdock has been an ingredient in medicinal and brewing recipes since at least medieval times. (It was used as a bittering agent in beer before the widespread adoption of hops.) Eventually, this persistent Old World herb spread to North America where it was foraged as a folk medicine and occasional food source. American conjurers and rootworkers adopted Burdock into their magical pantries and elevated its status as a Witch’s herb.
The name Arctium is derived from the Greek arctos, “bear” Lappa is from the Greek “to seize”, and llap is from the Celtic for “Hand”. The word Dock in its common name refers to its large leaves and Burr is from the Latin Burra which means “Wool” alluding to the fruit’s tendency to get caught in fur or wool of passing animals.
It is said that George de Mestral, the Swiss inventor of Velcro, got the idea after examining the fruit of a burdock plant that had stuck to his dog’s fur.
They are generally large, coarse and ovate, with the lower ones being heart-shaped. They are woolly underneath. The leafstalks are generally hollow. Arctium species generally flower from July through to October. Burdock flowers provide essential pollen and nectar for honeybees around August when clover is on the wane and before the goldenrod starts to bloom.
Burdock has many culinary and health benefits. There are about ten types of burdock, but only two are commonly cultivated. Once you can identify burdock, you’ll see it everywhere. If you have seen gobo root in the grocery store, that is actually just another name for burdock. Gobo comes from Japanese cuisine where both the burdock leaves, roots, and stems are used extensively. You can eat the roots boiled, sautéed or roasted. Burdock has a large, edible taproot that is earthy and slightly bitter (think lotus root, turnip, or wild carrot). You’ll often find burdock leaves in Japanese cuisine and Native Americans use the dried roots in winter stews. Burdock has very large waxy leaves, reminiscent of rhubarb and you can use the leaves like spinach. The lowermost leaves are heart-shaped, sometimes over a foot long and downy on the underneath, giving them a silvery appearance.
A native of Eurasia, especially England and Scotland, and an invasive weed in the United States, Burdock grows in moist waste places, ditches, and roadsides. the basal rosette of leaves stays close to the ground the first year, and the second year sends up a central flower stalk. It can grow 3-7 feet high the second year.
Health-wise, burdock has a very large list of benefits to the human body. From detoxification to skin problems to cholesterol, the list is quite long. One of the reasons burdock root is so full of minerals is because of the depth at which the wild plant grows. It has antibiotic and antifungal properties and is an effective healer for cold sores, ringworm, and athlete’s foot. This powerful plant is great for speeding recovery from infections such as mumps, measles, and chickenpox. It is alkalizing and mineral rich. Because of this, it is very beneficial for stimulating healthy hair growth.
Witch Tip: Burdock can be added to shampoos or hair rinses for dandruff and itchy scalp. Some people experience dermatitis from topical exposure to burdock. Check for allergies by placing a bit of Burdock extract in a small area and wait 24 hours before using it to treat larger areas.
Witch Tip: Lightly steam the leaves and then apply as a poultice to draw out infection of cuts and skin damage.
Burdock also helps to detoxify the blood. It removes toxins from the bloodstream through the respiratory, urinary, and lymphatic systems. This promotes blood circulation to skin surfaces, improving skin texture and mitigating conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, boils, and abscesses.
Witch Tip: Grind burdock root into a powder and mix into your facial cream to help treat acne.
It is also known to help reduce cholesterol. Burdock root contains inulin, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol. People who take burdock root have been shown to have improved lipid profiles.
This plant also helps lower blood glucose levels. Once again, the natural inulin content of the root is useful in helping to control blood sugar levels. Burdock can also help prevent the occurrence of high blood pressure as well as help to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack if taken regularly.
Witch Tip: Create a decoction of 1-ounce herb to 1 ½ pint of water, boiled down to a pint, one teacupful per day as a blood purifier and for scurvy, boils, and rheumatic afflictions. Use the same decoction externally as a wash for ulcers and scaly skin disorders. A poultice of the leaves can be applied to bruises and swellings as well.
Not only is burdock good for heart health, it is also beneficial to liver health. An overloaded liver results in toxins being stored in the body. Burdock root increases bile production which cleanses the liver and helps it to function more efficiently. Burdock has also been known to provide antioxidant support. Burdock root consists of effective antioxidants including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids, which protect healthy cells from harmful effects of free radicals.
Burdock has also been found to help improve digestive health. The mucilage in burdock root aids and eases digestion, and can soothe inflammation in the digestive tract itself. Its inulin content aids in digestion, promotes easy bowel movements, and the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestines. It also re-establishes healthy bacteria in the gut after antibiotics.
Along with digestive health, burdock also helps relieve water retention. It is a mild natural diuretic which is great for keeping your weight under control during periods of water retention. Along with relieving water retention, it has been shown to aid in weight loss in general. Burdock root’s cleansing effects speed up metabolism and improve nutrient absorption and energy usage. If you are trying to eat healthier, burdock root can reduce sweet cravings, enabling you to make better food choices.
Witch Tip: An infusion of the leaves is good for indigestion, especially in people who suffer often.
Burdock is a bitter tonic that is digestive, cleansing, and purifying. The cleansing action of burdock helps to clear your head and increase your concentration
Witch Tip: For a mental or concentration boost, make tea with the leaves.
Metaphysically, burdock can be used for protection from negative thoughts and negative people and to cleanse negativity. Burdock is burned in incenses used for protection. The roots of the flower can also be gathered at the time of the dark moon, dried, and cut into small pieces, before being hung from red thread as a protective amulet.
Witch Tip: The root can be carved into a figure, dried and carried or worn as a protective amulet.
It is also great for use in persistence, counter-magic, healing, and male potency. Burdock is employed mainly for cleansing and protective magic. Like many witchy herbs, its magical functions appear to be connected to its history as a medicinal plant. Burdock is a natural diuretic reputed to cleanse the urine and purify the blood—hence, its use in formulas to “flush out” negativity.
A persistent, robust plant, Burdock gained renown among European witches as an effective ingredient in warding spells. With its deep roots, it is unfazed by adversity. A Burdock charm, buried or hung at a south door, was said to have the ability to protect homes and stables from evil influences. It is also added to protective charms and amulets to be carried when traveling. In American folklore, Burdock is a root often used in counter-magick–to prevent other workers from putting “roots” (i.e. curses) on the bearer.
Witch Tip: Much like bay, write wishes on Burdock leaves and burn them to make them come true.
Witch Tip: Incorporate Burdock root into spells for warding, hex-breaking, and good fortune. A Protective Mojo can be made by carrying BURDOCK ROOT in a white bag with protective herbs such as Rue, Agrimony, and Black Snake Root to keep off jinxes.
Another aspect of Burdock is as an herb of health and sexual potency. Its, long phallic taproot may have something to do with the latter—although Burdock extract has indeed been shown to increase sexual behavior in rats.) It’s not unusual to see Burdock mentioned in charms for prosperity, vitality, and virility.
Ginger and burdock Olive Oil
This homemade herbal olive oil is highly aromatic and tastes great! Make this olive oil as an accompaniment to your meals to give you a daily boost of concentration. To make this herbal pick me up, which works great on your whole system and gives you a welcome energy boost, you will need:
- 1 bottle cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
- ½ inch section of ginger
- Sprig of burdock
First, finely chop the ½ inch section of ginger and the sprig of burdock, which should include both the twig and leaves. Open the bottle of cold pressed olive oil and add the ginger and burdock to it. Replace the cap and shake well. Allow the oil to infuse for a week, then use on salads and in cooking to give your concentration a regular boost. Or you can put all of the ingredients into a very pretty bottle and gift it as a present for a loved one.
Burdock is generally regarded as safe. However, certain people should not take Burdock root internally without medical supervision: Pregnant women, people with allergies to Asteraceae family plants, and people who are already taking medication/supplements to increase urine flow or to lower blood sugar.
Use level: Easy
Nothing on this website should be taken as medical or legal advice. Please use herbs responsibly. Always consult your doctor before using any kind of supplements.
From our altar to yours, with love from the sea,
