DR. WALKER

Burdock Tea

What is Burdock Tea?

Burdock tea is a herbal tea derived from a burdock plant root (Arctium Lappa) from the Asteraceae family. The burdock plant occurs naturally in the wild native of Europe and Asia. Burdock is grown as a medicinal plant in United States.¹ In the traditional sense, most teas are made from the Camellia Sinesis plant's leaves, but burdock tea is made from the brewed parts of the burdock plant roots, resulting in caffeine-free tea. Burdock plant is characterized by the capacity to thrive in any soil, an aggressive grower, big broad leaves with thistle-like flowers. The root is the most beneficial for its medicinal properties.

What is Burdock tea used for?

Burdock tea has been used as medicine for centuries to relieve many ailments such as gastrointestinal complaints, poor digestion, treatment of respiratory infections, bladder and kidney problems. The ancient Chinese medicine practitioners used burdock tea to improve the immune system, lower blood pressure, heal a damaged liver, and prevent and treat cancer. Additionally, the tea was also used in improving hair health, thus reversing signs of aging.²

As early as the 12th century, burdock was used in China and Japan to help control the spread of tumors in the sinuous region. The anti-cancer properties stem from the high concentration of antioxidants that suppresses the growth and stops the multiplication of tumors.³

Health Benefits

• Burdock tea contains potassium which aids in lowering blood pressure by opening the blood vessels, consequently increasing the blood flow.
• Soothes coughs and colds by acting as a decongestant.
• Treats hormone and toxin-related imbalances.
• Soothes the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving digestion by stimulating bile production.
• Promotes blood circulation to the skin by purifying the blood and actively cleaning it of any heavy metals. The antioxidant-rich properties in burdock tea remove the free radicals, reducing wrinkles on the skin hence countering aging.
• Improving digestion by enhancing the digestion and assimilation of food, consequently boosting the appetite and better absorption of nutrients in the gut.
• Has diuretic properties that reduce fluid retention.
• Prevents and treats cancers by preventing the formation of the auxiliary arteries that feed tumors. The antioxidants quercetin and luteolin prevent cancer cells from growing and mutating.
• Taking Burdock tea helps reduce lymph glands swellings and, therefore, beneficial to the lymphatic system by easing congestion and stagnation.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of burdock tea act as cleansing agents for rheumatic problems.

Nutrition

A glass of burdock tea contains;

• Calories-3
• Fat-0 g
• Saturated fat-0.004g
• Polyunsaturated fat-0.008g
• Monosaturated fat-0.002g
• Carbs- 0.84g
• Protein- 0.02g
• Sodium-6mg

Burdock tea is high in minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants such as flavonoids, phytochemicals, quercetin, luteolin, potassium, selenium, and magnesium. Burdock tea also contains Arginine, Proline, Lysine, glutamic and aspartic acids as amino acids in addition to vitamins A, B, C, E, and K.

Toxicity

The side effect of using Burdock tea is a rash on the skin due to an allergic reaction. Pregnant women should avoid burdock tea as it may cause stimulation in the uterus, thus initializing premature labor. For persons with diabetes, burdock tea may lower blood sugar causing hypoglycemia.

References