Articum lappa

Arctium lappa                          

Common name: Burdock

Family: Asteraceae

Parts used:  Root, seeds & leaves

Constituents:

• Lignans (arctigenin, arctiin, Lappaol F & matairesinol)
• Polysaccharides (up to 50% inulin) & Mucilage
• Tannins
• Sulphur containing polyacetylenes
• Volatile oil (terpenoids)
• Sesquiterpene lactones (arctiopicrin)
• Nutrients (vitamins & minerals)
• Flavonoids
• Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives

Medicinal actions:

• Alterative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Antioxidant
• Anti-tumorogenic
• Bitter
• Diuretic
• Hepatic & Hepatoprotective
• Hypoglycemic
• Hypolipidemic
• Immuno-stimulant
• Laxative (mild)

Medicinal use:

• Used as an alterative to enhance detoxification pathways in the liver and increase cellular metabolism as a whole, and is thus used in conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, and as a tonic towards the digestive system.
• Considered a glandular alterative, is indicated in chronic glandular enlargements.
• Has long been used as a food in European and Asian cuisines. The Japanese traditionally used it for constipation, syphilis, mercury poisoning, paralysis, to stimulate blood circulation, and as a diaphoretic.

Pharmacology:

• Polysaccharides (mucilage & inulin) are soothing to the digestive tract and an immunostimulant.
• Sesquiterpene lactone arctiopicrin is a bitter glycoside and antibacterial.
• Lignans (arctigenin) exhibits anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) via modulation of several cytokines, and is gastroprotective. Lappaol F exhibits anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo and is considered to have strong potential to be developed as an anticancer therapeutic.

Pharmacy:

• Decoction: 1 tsp root/cup, simmer 20 minutes, 1 cup TID for several weeks.
• Tincture: (1:2, 40%), 2-4 ml QD, 25 ml weekly max.
• Fresh root as food.
• Note: Best used long-term.

Toxicity:

• Potential adverse reactions include dermatitis from topical use, and allergic sensitivity to Asteraceae family.

Contraindications:

• Use caution in history of bleeding disorder, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, hypoglycemia, pregnancy & lactation, and in diabetes as may precipitate decrease in blood sugar.

Interactions:

• Increases gut motility, thus may theoretically decrease absorption of medications taken simultaneously.
• May potentiate aspirin or anticoagulants due to antiplatelet activity (theoretical).
• Potential additive effects with  anti-diabetic agents and diuretics.
• May increase levels of CYP3A4 substrates.

References:

• Find a complete list of references for this monograph as well as images and a review of its evidence based applications in Dr. Marciano’s Herbal Textbook.