HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BURDOCK/ 129Flower and Fruit: The crimson flowers grow in long-
peduncled, loose cymes. The heads are fairly large, globose
and almost glabrous. All flowers are funnel-shaped and
androgynous. The bracts are green and coriaceous with a
_ barb-shaped inward-curving tip. The fruit is compressed arid
has a bristly tuft, which falls off easily. The fruits separate
from their stems on ripening.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows to a height of 80 to
150 cm. The stem is erect, rigid, grooved, branched and
downy to wooly. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, broad to
ovate-cordate. They are blunt and slightly wooly to hairy on
the underside. The lowest leaves are very large and have a
latex-filled stem.Habitat: Burdock grows in Europe, northern Asia and North
America.Production: Burdock root consists of the fresh or dried
underground parts of Arctium lappa, Arctium minus and/or
Arctium tomentosum. Roots are gathered in the autumn of
the plant's first year or the early part of the second year.Other Names: Bardana, Beggar's Buttons, Burr Seed, Clot-
4p Bur, Cockle Buttons. Cocklebur, Fox's Clote, Great Burr,
Happy Major, Hardock, Hareburr, Lappa, Love Leaves,
Personata, Philanthropium, Thorny Burr
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (small amounts) of very complex make-up:
including, among others, phenylacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde,
2-alkyl-3-methoxy-pyrazinesLignans: neoarchtiin ASesquiterpene lactonesPolyynes: chief components are trideca-l, ll-dien-3, 5,7,9-
tetrain, as well as sulfur derivativesCaffeic acid derivatives: including chlorogenic acid, isochlo-
rogenic acidPolysaccharides: insulin (fructose), mucilage's (xyloglu-
cans, acidic xylans)ff* Triterpenes: including alpha-amyrin, omega-taraxasterol,
present to some extent as acetic acid ester
Phytosterols: beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and
their estersTanninsEFFECTS
In vitro, the drug shows mild antimicrobial activity. No other
information is available.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Preparations of Burdock Root are used for
ailments and complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, as a
diaphoretic and diuretic, and for blood purifying. Externally,
they are used for ichthyosis, psoriasis and seborrhea of the
scalp. The claimed efficacies have not been documented.
Chinese Medicine: Burdock is used to treat carbuncles,
ulcers and erythema of the skin as well as sore throats.
Efficacy has not been proven.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. There is a slight potential for sensitization via skin
contact with the drug.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Administered as a drug and, for
external use, in the form of burdock oil (extract with fat oil).
How Supplied:
Capsules — 460 mg and 475 mg
Fluid Extract — l:l
LITERATURE
Bryson PD et al., (1978) J Am Med Ass 239 (20):2l57.
Dombradi G, (1970) Chemotherapy 15:250.
Ichihara A et al., (1968) Tetrahedron 44:3961.
Ichihara A et al., (1978) Tetrahedron Letters 33:305.
Morita K et al., (1984) Mutat Res 129(1):25.
Naya K et al., (1972) Chem Letters 3:235.
Schulte K et al., (1967) Arzneim Forsch 17:829.
Takeda H, Kiriyami S, (1979) J Nutr 109(3):388.
Tsujita J et al., (1979) Nutr Rep Int 20(5):635.
Yamada Y et al., (1975) Phytochemistry 14:582.
Yamanouchi S et al., (1976) Yakugaku Zasshi 96(12): 1492.
Further information in:
Hausen B, Allergiepflanzen, Pflanzenallergene, ecomed
Verlagsgesellsch. mbH, Landsberg 1988.
Kem W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New
York, 1980.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Schulte KE et al Arzneim Forsch 17 (1967), 825.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.