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Pinging the Health Ping list (freepmail to get on/off). I’ve been meaning to post info about some specific herbs, finally got to Burdock, one of my favorites. Also check the link below, a FReeper would like to know if anyone has info about the condition mentioned.

Burdock
Parts used: Usually Root, also leaves and seeds
Tissues: plasma, blood
Properties: Alterative, diuretic, bitter tonic, diaphoretic, antipyretic

Indications: eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne, liver diseases, fever, lymphatic congestion, nephritis, edema, hypertension, boils, gout, arthritis, indigestion (pitta/hot type).

Seeds and root (all I’ve ever used or seen easily available is root powder) are deeply cleansing to the liver, blood and lymphatic system. Valuable in treating heat related or inflammatory skin disorders including acne, boils, eczema, and psoriasis. To relieve itching, use in conjuction with neem, manjistha, barberry*, or turmeric.

Burdock is also rich in minerals and vitamins, including iron, magnesium, manganese and thiamine. The roots are strong and deep, and in Japanese cooking fresh roots are called gobo and used in soups and stir frying, I used to buy in Hawaii and ate them. Due to its secondary sweet taste (bitter first, but cooking gobo is not bitter), it does not provoke vata (excess air) or reduce tissues unnecessarily as other bitter herbs can do.

Burdock supports liver function, clears excess heat/inflammation, aids digestion especially the hot kind such as acidity. It can be used in soups with onions, ginger and other vegetables, especially good when sick with flu or other similar illness. As a cooling diuretic, it helps to remove excess heat/pitta from the body, supports healthy kidneys, expels uric acid, and can treat edema, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.

I use in heart formulas for people who have a tendency towards edema, and/or high blood pressure, as well as for toxic (heat) blood conditions or skin problems. It is in the heart formula I take daily. I recently used it for someone with lupus who noticed improvement but did sadly she not want to continue taking herbs, also in a recent bad case of acne, along with a few other herbs and measures (cured yay!).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3735908/posts?page=1648#1648