Burdock refers to those plants that are quite successfully used in traditional medicine. It has a number of extraordinarily useful qualities, due to which it can have a positive impact on the state of human health. Most often, in medicine and home cosmetology, burdock root is used. Further in the article we will talk about its medicinal properties and use in traditional medicine. We will also provide a number of recipes that can be used at home, we will discuss the main contraindications to the use of such a product.
Chemical composition
The root of the plant crop in question includes a huge number of useful components. In particular, it contains resins, steroids, essential and fatty oils, flavonoids, various vitamins, micro-and macronutrients. 
Of course, in order to preserve such a numerous and rich composition of rhizomes, it is extremely important to pay enough attention to the process of preparing raw materials.
Did you know? In Europe until 1814, almost nothing was known about the burdock. In particular, he was not met in France. This random "trophy" brought after Napoleon, when he fled from Russia. It is rumored that in this connection the French "pestavalu" disliked and even called it "Russian contagion".
Medicinal properties
It is known that the main accumulation of nutrients (about 80%) is located precisely in the burdock root. The accumulation process occurs during the first year of active plant growth. The following year, the nutrients will already be spent burdock for their own purposes. It is in connection with this that the harvesting of raw materials must be carried out before the beginning of the second year of the life of the plant.
In folk medicine and cosmetology burdock leaves are also used.
Burdock root rhiza is able to quench the pain, to intensify the functional work of the liver and pancreas. As for the cosmetological effect, the product works great in the direction of improving the overall condition of the skin. Also his can be used for hairwhich as a result become more healthy, silky and not plump. 
Also the product is wonderful disinfector. This is based on its bactericidal action and its ability to adversely affect viruses, their viability and spread. One can not forget about the antiallergic effect that provokes burdock root.
In general, considering the healing characteristics of a plant, one can single out main directionswhich its root can affect:
- kidneys and gallbladder;
- cosmetology and skin diseases;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- the immune system;
- viral, fungal and catarrhal diseases.
The rhizome can improve the qualitative composition of the blood, help to restore normal blood flow levels, get rid of sand formed in the kidneys, restore the condition of the joints. 
Application and Recipes
Burdock root is used in the form of decoctions and infusions, also ointments are prepared from it and oils are extracted. To achieve the maximum effect from the use of such a tool, it is important to follow the popular recipes, because they are usually already tested by time and repeatedly tested.
Important! Burdock root has a large number of active elements. In this regard, it is extremely important, before deciding to use it for medicinal purposes, to consult a doctor in order not to cause harm to his health.
Traditional medicine
You can even use raw burdock for healing purposes. In this form, it is well helps to fight stomach ulcer and gastritis. But also other ways of its application are known. 
We offer a number of recipes, how to prepare it, indicating what it treats burdock root and how it affects the body:
- It is necessary to grind the rhizome of the plant (about 20 g) and pour 200 g of boiling water to it. The liquid mixture should be boiled for 15-20 minutes, then let it brew for another 30 minutes. Strain the broth and drink one tablespoon three times a day after eating. Such a drug can help with rheumatism, gout, osteochondrosis, cold and inflammation of the bladder. You can also lubricate with such liquid wounds or rinse the mouth and throat with sore throat or stomatitis. It is known that a drug prepared in this way can also fight warts.
- Finely chop 100 g of rhizome and boil the mixture in 1 liter of water. The product should be boiled until half the initial liquid evaporates from the container. After that, the decoction is filtered and honey is added to it. The sweet ingredient is introduced to your liking. The drug should be consumed in 3 tablespoons three or four times a day. Such a natural remedy is perfect for combating arthrosis, gout, rheumatism and hemorrhoids.
- It is necessary to finely chop the rhizome and pour it overnight with cold water (approximately 200 ml). In the morning, the infusion should be boiled, then removed from the heat and cool. The medicine must be drunk within one day, dividing the volume into 4-5 doses. The potion will help in losing weight, because it can activate metabolic processes in the body, as well as suppress appetite and eliminate toxins. Also, the infusion can have a mild laxative effect.
- Before brewing burdock root, it needs to be crushed, then pour it with filtered water and cook until the total amount of decoction is halved. After that, the composition must enter the butter, at the rate of 4: 1. Ready ointment can be used when rheumatism, burns and eczema.
- Burdock root can also help treat diabetes. It will be necessary to take equal parts of green beans, blueberries and burdock root. 50 g of the mixture should be filled with water (1 l) and infused overnight. In the morning, the infusion should be boiled for 5 minutes, removed from the heat and allowed to cool. The cooled down medicine is filtered and taken within a day by 150 ml.
- Rhizome need to grate and mix in a ratio of 1: 3 with olive oil. Next, the mixture must be put in a warm place and let it brew for 4-5 days. After this, the infusion should be boiled for 15 minutes. This ointment heals well cuts and wounds.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties and the use of herbaceous plants: celandine, oregano, dandelion, chervil, quinoa, sow thistle, couch grass, horsetail, clover, yarrow, elecampane, wormwood, bitter and curative, mother-and-stepmother, immortelle.
This natural product is also recommended for use when oncological diseases:
- Burdock root need to dig in May and grate it on a fine grater. After that, you should squeeze the juice from it and take it about 5 times a day for a tablespoon.
- One teaspoon of chopped root of burdock roots should be put in a thermos and pour boiling water over it (0.5 l). The medicine should infuse for 10 hours. After that, it is recommended to take the drug 4-5 times a day in 100 ml. Treatment should last one month, after which a 3-week break is taken.
- The root is filled with vodka in the ratio of 1:20 and placed for 30 days in a dark place. At the same time it is important to stir the infusion from time to time. Ready medicine you need to drink 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
Did you know? In the Middle Ages, the plant was grown as a vegetable. Today they eat burdock root, which tastes like artichoke. Of them prepare soups, grind into flour. But burdock oil is even used in technology, as it is an excellent lubricant and damping fluid for precision gyroscopes.
Home Cosmetology
Such a natural product as burdock root, useful properties and contraindications for use are discussed in this article; it has also proven itself in the field of home cosmetology. 
For improve the condition of the skin and improve hair recommend using these recipes:
- Mix almond and burdock in equal parts, then heat the mixture and gently rub into the scalp and hair roots. After that, you need to cover the head with a scarf or shower cap, additionally warm with a warm towel. After about an hour and a half, the mask can be washed off using regular shampoo. This tool will help get rid of the problem of split ends and generally heal the hair.
- No less effective will be a mask that is prepared from several tablespoons of burdock oil, two tablespoons of brandy and one egg yolk. To the mixture also need to add one spoonful of sour cream. The finished mask is recommended to stand on the hair for about an hour and a half.
- Finely chopped burdock root should be poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:10 and let it brew for 30 days. After that, the infusion should be rubbed three times a week (every other day) into the scalp. This treatment will eliminate the problem of hair loss.
- The decoction is prepared from equal parts of the bark of willow and burdock root. The drug must be rubbed into the scalp, thus strengthening the hair and getting rid of dandruff and itching.
To make hair beautiful, lovers of natural cosmetics use recipes from nettle, lovage, cornflower, chamomile, nasturtium, bay leaf, thyme, clove, onion, bergamot, cumin, rosemary, lagenaria, beeswax, propolis.
Harvesting and storage of raw materials
Burdock is a two-year plant crop, but, as mentioned earlier, the root will be most valuable to humans in the first year of the plant’s life. So be sure to pay attention to when digging burdock root.
Find out if you can feed the burdock rabbits.
To dig out the rhizome should be in May, immediately after the first leaflets break through. Digging is also allowed between September and October. It should be understood that the root system of the burdock goes deep enough into the soil, about a meter and a half, so digging up the root will be quite a difficult task. It is recommended to break the ground with your hands or use a brush. It is very important not to damage the root, because you can lose valuable juice. Extracted roots will need to be dried, preferably under the open sun. Next, burdock roots should be cut lengthwise and dried again, but in the oven, at a temperature of about 40 ° C. Do not allow the permissible temperature to be exceeded, since otherwise the product will simply be baked. Ready raw materials are recommended to be stored in wooden boxes in a dry and dark place. If done correctly, the roots can be stored for five years without losing their beneficial properties.
Important! It is forbidden to collect raw materials from plants that grew in landfills, along roads, in the city, since such raw materials will be impregnated with toxins. The best option would be to work with burdock growing in the forest.
Contraindications and harm
Do not use drugs on the basis of burdock in such cases:
- pregnant women and lactation;
- in the presence of allergies, and consuming the product for the first time, one must be extremely careful, because the response of the body to such a plant is not yet known;
- with myoma and gastrointestinal diseases in women.
Read also about the healing properties of calendula, catnip, leuzei, sverbigi, borage, myalnanka, lilac, black poplar, ivy, raspberry, wood lice, nivyanik, canupera, stems, foxgrass, horseradish, comfrey, amaranth
It is also recommended not to take medicine on the burdock on an ongoing basis, without interruptions, because the plant is capable of causing addiction.
Summing up, it should be noted that burdock root can be purchased in finished form in almost any pharmacy. This option is perfect for those people who do not have the ability to independently procure raw materials. Useful qualities and effectiveness of the impact on the root of the burdock root is an indisputable fact. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations and follow the correct dosage during use.
