Burdock

Arctium spp

Asteraceae
(Compositae)
Daisy family

Description: A biennial plant with large, soft, light green leaves and thistle-like red-
purple flowers that form burrs with hooked spines. Can reach a sculptural 2 metres in its second year.

Habitat: Hedgerows, wood edges and waste ground.

Traditionally combined with dandelion both as a soft drink and a medicine, burdock is a powerful cleanser and blood purifier. It is one of the foremost detoxing herbs, and is particularly effective for skin problems. The root is a food as well as a medicine, and is popular in Japanese cooking.

For more information on burdock and how to use it, see the book Hedgerow Medicine, pages 20 to 23.