Good day! I hope you're finding enjoyable ways to stay cool this summer. Today I have a plant that you should know about if you experience gut issues: Greater Burdock.
The Latin name of this plant is Arctium Lappa.
The root of greater burdock is the part that is most commonly used for medicinal purposes. It has a high concentration of inulin, which is a prebiotic fiber that nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, supports healthy digestion, and helps alleviate constipation and bloating. The root also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and can be used to treat skin problems like eczema and psoriasis that occur due to an internal imbalance.
The leaves of greater burdock also contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifying properties. They are edible when the leaves are both young and mature, but mature leaves will be more bitter tasting and need to be boiled and drained at least twice to remove some of the bitter flavor. Young leaves are more palatable, and can be added fresh to soups and salads to get the nutritional benefits from the plant. When greater burdock flowers, they appear thistle-like and form in clusters of purple with soft spiny bracts that have hooked tips. As the purple thistle-like flowers mature and dry out, they develop into burs that can latch onto animals and people as they're walking by, allowing the seeds of the plant to be dispersed. Fascinating!
Have a magical day,
Jenny
PLANT INGESTION WARNING!
As with all herbs and plants you plan to ingest, never ingest them before doing your own research and/or talking with your doctor - it’s possible that medications you take or health conditions you have could have a negative effect if paired with greater burdock. Better safe than sorry!
Photo credit goes to Pethan