Burdock [Arcitum lappa]
Tissue: plasma, blood
Systens: lymphatic, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary
Properties: alterative, diuretic, bitter tonic, diaphoretic, antipyretic
Indications: eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne, liver diseases, fever, lymphatic congestion, nephritis, edema, hypertension, gout, arthritis, indigestion (acid type)
Both the seeds and root of burdock (I have only used root powder, never saw seeds for sale) are deeply cleansing to the liver, blood and lymphatic systems. It is valuable in the treatment of pitta (heat) related skin disorders, including stubborn acne, boils, eczema, and psoriasis. To deal with such conditions, and to relieve itching, it combines well with turmeric, neem, manjistha, or barberry. I have used burdock, often in formula, to treat acne, boils, skin inflammation, and sickness with fevers.
Burdock is also rich in minerals and vitamins, including iron, magnesium, manganese, and thiamin. Fresh burdock root is often found in the produce section of health food stores and Asian markets. (I used to buy in Hawaii, under the name “gobo”, Japanese use in soups and stews. I often sautéed it.) It makes a nice addition to a soup with other vegetables, ginger, and onion.
As a cooling diuretic, is helps to release excess pitta (heat) support health kidney function, expel uric acid and treat edema, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.
Pinging the list to two more herbs, Burdock and Gotu Kola. I think I need some Gotu Kola right now!
Gotu Kola [centella Hydroctyle asiatica]
Mandukaparni (also sometimes called Brahmi)
3-30 grams a day (as powdered herb)
Parts used: aerial portions
Tissues: plasma, blood, muscle, bone marrow, and nerve
Properties: nervine, alterative, rejuvenative, diuretic, febrifuge, antispasmodic
Indications: nervous disorders, mental disorders, epilepsy, senility, rashes, skin diseases, venereal diseases, premature aging, diabetes, hypoglycemia, premature graying and hair loss, anger, irritability, adrenal insufficiency, poor immunity, stress, colitis.
Gotu Kola is an excellent rejuvenative tonic for the mind and nervous system that promotes cellular regeneration and slows the aging process. It rejuvenates and pacifies all the doshas (constitutional elements) and helps to improve speech, memory, awareness, and intelligence, which make it useful to treat a wide variety of psychological and neurological disorders. It is also supportive to the immune system and adrenal glands, and helps to effectively treat intermittent or periodic fevers, such as malaria.
It supports proper function of the liver, spleen, and pancreas and is a blood purifier used in chronic skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, and leprosy. It kindles and regulates the pancreatic fire and is helpful in treating hypoglycemia and diabetes.
Gotu Kola has the ability to enhance sattvic qualities in the mind (meaning increasing clarity and peace) and purify the nadis (subtle nerve channels similar to Chinese meridians) thus being a valuable aid for those practicing yoga, meditation, prayer. It is cooling and harmonizing to the mind.