Burdock

[heavyhitterokra]

Burdock

Burdock root comes from burdock, a genus of weeds that are related to sunflowers and are part of the daisy family. It's available as a tea in various tinctures, with manufacturers promising a wide range of benefits.  Burdock tends to get overlooked as it grows like a weed in most of the United States.  Common burdock can be found throughout the U.S., with the exception of a few states along the southern border, and in parts of Canada.

The Burdock weed will grow almost anywhere and enjoys disturbed soils.  It's commonly found in uncultivated areas such as roadsides, stream banks, waste places, abandoned farmsteads, and pastures.

A few Burdock facts:

Burdock is a large weed covered in bur-like spurs that can grow over 4 feet tall.

Consumption of some parts of this plant may help to lower blood sugar levels as well provide other health benefits.

As with all herbal supplements, burdock can be dangerous for some people.

More research is necessary to verify the claims about burdock root’s health benefits, so, as with any wild plant food, try it in small amounts and proceed with caution, using only your best judgement.

Burdock has large, semi-heart-shaped leaves and produces purple flowers in the spring and in autumn.



In traditional medicine, it is the dark roots — not the plant itself — that offer health benefits.

I don't have any really good photos of this plant yet, but here is a link to a website that has some fairly good photos.

www.google.com/search?q=purple+burdock+identify&sxsrf=ALeKk03LZj97gQDNMLMOkQUQJWQ01TmmPw:1617991385743&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=5h4nYxPL7aw-GM%252CAVCTVxJJnYAczM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSkGFSC_pCaNpfT5W1nqeLgmJYY_A&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLx6_O3_HvAhVSG80KHU68DCcQ_h16BAgIEAE#imgrc=5h4nYxPL7aw-GM

[macmex]

Here's a link an article on Edible Wild Food about Burdock. I didn' t realize it was an edible until you brought it up, Ron. This article even gives recipes. I'm just going to have to find some to try!

[heavyhitterokra]

Here's a link to a really good article about Curly Dock. It's a lot easier to find than Bur Dock and tastes better too.
www.fourseasonforaging.com/blog/2020/1/25/curly-dock#:~:text=Identification&text=The%20leaves%20of%20curly%20dock,the%20stem%2C%20which%20are%20alternate.