The plant’s diuretic effect has made it a traditional remedy for gout and kidney stones. It has also been used in rheumatic conditions. Its main use is as an alterative or blood cleanser to remove waste products from the body, and it is employed to treat conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, boils, and other skin complaints. Burdock lowers blood sugar levels, and the arctigenin has been shown to be effective against tumors. The fresh root is thought to have an antibiotic quality, probably due to the polyacetylenes. In China it is used for catarrhal conditions and when there is a fever, cough and sore throat, and in infective diseases such as mumps and the early stages of measles. Burdock also stimulates the digestion and aids the liver, and in China is a remedy for constipation. The Chinese properties are acrid, bitter, and cold.
