Burdock is a plant of the Astrov family. The culture is biennial and found everywhere. In our country, for healing purposes, the plant has been used for a long time. Nevertheless, its beneficial effect on the human body is still not evaluated according to merit, since it does not give an instant effect. Positive dynamics can usually be observed only after a long time. Further in the article we will talk about the medicinal properties of burdock leaves, as well as its application in traditional medicine and cosmetology.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of burdock is in many ways similar to other, more traditional crops that growers grow, and even surpasses them in some sectors. 
An important feature is that quite a lot of vitamin C is present in the leaves of this plant, of the order of 200-250 mg per 100 g of product. And this is 2 times the standard daily rate, which is necessary to use a person for normal life.
Did you know? Young leaves of the plant are edible. In many countries, and especially in Japan, this grass is grown as a garden crop. The roots are ground into flour, then added to the dough and baked bread. Also parts of the plant can be baked, boiled and even fried. Roots replace potatoes in soups, of which they also prepare flatbread and meatballs. The Japanese even learned how to cook delicious jam from a plant.
So this plant will be an excellent helper for combating spring vitamin deficiency, besides being cheaper among analogues. Also in the leaves there are many vitamins of group B, approximately 70% of the daily requirement, and a large amount of prebiotic inulin, which allows to solve existing problems with the work of the intestine.
The leaves of this culture contain many minerals, among which manganese, iron, zinc, etc. But the calorie content of the product, with all the above, is quite low, only 60-70 kcal per 100 g, which becomes a pleasant bonus for those who follow their figure.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties and the use of herbaceous plants: chervil, nettle, quinoa, sow thistle, couch grass, dandelion, horsetail, clover, celandine, yarrow, elecampane, wormwood, and medicinal, oregano.
What are the benefits of burdock leaves?
Burdock in the direction of healing properties rather diverse. Preparations and means that are made on the basis of this plant are characterized by a number of useful qualities:
- Detoxification. Tea that is made from the leaves of a plant can improve the overall functionality of the liver, as well as the kidneys, thereby increasing the rate of excretion of various toxins from the human body.
- Fighting Acne and Acne. If you apply compresses from burdock foliage on the skin areas where acne or pimples are present at a regular frequency, then within a month the overall condition of the skin will noticeably improve. A more stable and faster effect can be achieved if, in parallel with compresses, tea from the same plant is included in the diet.
- Psoriasis and eczema treatment. Teas or soups from burdock leaves, which will be included in the daily diet, are excellent in helping to combat such unpleasant ailments. The first positive changes will become noticeable after a couple of weeks.
- Diuretic effect. The diuretic properties of the plant will help to solve problems that are based on inflammation or kidney stones. Also in cases where urinary tract diseases are present, burdock leaves will be an excellent means of therapy.
- Relief of arthritis symptoms. Burdock leaves also have healing properties for the joints. Using them as a compress, you can reduce the attacks of arthritis. In parallel, you can also drink a course of tea made from the same plant. Also, this method of treatment can help affect the development of gout.
- Digestion. Burdock leaf tea works as a laxative. It can tone up the digestive tract.
- Sunburn. Burdock can also act as a burn treatment. By mixing its leaves and egg whites, you can prepare a tool that will have a healing effect on the skin that is burnt under the sunlight.
- Correction of hormonal background. The elements that make up the plant can affect the endocrine system, thereby helping to reduce the fluctuations in hormonal parameters.
- Herbal therapy. When preparing herbal mixtures, you can include burdock leaves. The plant is rich in vitamin elements. The use of such funds will be an excellent prevention of various kinds of diseases. And compresses will put in order the work of the sebaceous glands.
Use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Modern pharmacology has recognized the ability of a plant to help combat tumors of various origins. Also proven the effectiveness of such a tool in the treatment of many diseases: diabetes, furunculosis, rickets, constipation, hemorrhoids, eczema, rheumatism, dropsy, etc. Burdock leaves can also be used to cure venereal diseases, and are also used for insect bites, including poisonous.
Important! Burdock leaves - It is a universal tool that can be applied in different directions. But do not forget about the personal intolerance of any elements and for safety, consult with your doctor before self-medicating.
Physical therapy for the current time uses different forms of burdock-based medicines: infusions, decoctions, as well as oil extracts from different parts of the plant. Especially widely used juice, which is extracted from the leaves of burdock. It is noteworthy that the plant can be prepared for future use and used throughout the year in cases when the need arises.
No less common is the use of burdock and in cosmetology. Drugs that are made on the basis of this plant, perfectly stimulate hair growth, as well as struggling with skin rashes. To accelerate hair growth helps decoctions of the leaves of this grass, which should be rinsed. Alcohol tinctures from the green part of the plant will help to improve the condition of the skin and relieve acne cover.
Did you know? In 1948, the engineer Georges de Mestral invented the now-popular Velcro fastener. According to the inventor, he was prompted by the situation when he saw a "lump" with burdock seeds attached to the dog's fur.
Harvesting, drying and storage
Naturally, in the winter to find fresh burdock leaves is unrealistic; therefore, it is advisable to think in advance about the preparation of this useful raw material for future use. The best solution is drying. Burdock leaves in whole or in crushed form should be thoroughly dried in a clean and well-ventilated room. It is important that the direct rays of the sun on the raw materials do not fall. 
In the summer, alcoholic tinctures are often prepared on the basis of the leaves of this plant. You will need glass containers (bottles), which need to be filled with about 90% of raw materials, and then pour vodka or diluted alcohol into it. The container must be tightly closed and then can be stored in a dry dark place.
Important! Crushed leaves are perfect for making herbal formulations, and whole - for use as anti-inflammatory compresses. You can also prepare the plant juice, but here you need to understand that as a result of sterilization, not all the useful elements will be preserved. It is better to prepare the juice from the fresh cut leaves.
Burdock based recipes
Traditional medicine is known for many recipes, the main ingredient of which is burdock, or rather its leaves.
Will give Most Popular of them, with indications of what exactly the burdock leaves help.
- Fresh or dried leaves of the plant will perfectly help to cope with a headache, as well as painful sensations in the spine and joints. For this you need a fleecy side to apply the leaves to the sore spot. You can perform this kind of procedure an unlimited number of times. But if you plan to use a dried leaf, then it must first be softened over the steam. It is important to pay attention to which side to apply the burdock to the sore spot, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve high efficiency from such therapy.
- To stimulate the digestive system, as well as avoid the symptoms of constipation, you can add fresh leaves in food, for example, in vegetable salads.
- In diabetes, urolithiasis, and stomach ulcers, you can use the infusion prepared from the foliage of the plant. It will be necessary to fill in 25 g of leaves with 250 g of boiling water. Infusion should be covered with a towel and let stand for 4-5 hours. Then you should take a liquid, one glass a day before eating.
- To prevent the formation of malignant tumors in the intestine and stomach, you can use the juice extracted from fresh leaves. Such juice can be stored for some time in the refrigerator. Apply natural medicine to 50 g once a day, mixing with honey before meals.
- A good incentive to improve the function of the endocrine glands will be the tincture of burdock leaves on vodka. You will need to squeeze 250 g of juice from the leaves, then mix the juice with one glass of vodka and 250 g of honey. The tool can be stored in the refrigerator, and should be taken 3 times a day and 1 tablespoon until the drug is finished.
- To treat diseases of the liver and gall bladder will help the juice of burdock leaves dissolved in water. The ratio of juice and water is 1: 2. To use the tool should be 1 tbsp. l before meals.
- To get rid of skin problems (psoriasis, boils, ulcers, eczema) will help the ointment, which should be prepared independently. You need to take 50 grams of burdock and pour boiling water over it (1 cup). The mixture should be boiled over low heat for about 5-10 minutes, after which you should add half a pack of butter to the finished broth. Ointment should be rubbed with soft movements as needed in the problem areas of the skin.
- Women who have problems with the regularity of the menstrual cycle may also resort to the help of burdock. You should squeeze the juice from the leaves (about 500 ml of the finished liquid), add to it 300 ml of honey and 250 ml of vodka. The finished mixture is infused for 3 days, after which you will need to take it to 20 ml three times a day.
Contraindications and harm
Like many other plants, burdock in general, as well as the juice of its leaves in particular, not only have healing properties, but also have a number of contraindications, especially for women. These include colitis, pregnancy, and individual intolerance.
Read also about the medicinal properties of levzei, sverbigi, borage, catnip, soapworm, lilac, black poplar, ivy, raspberry, woodlice, immortelle, nivyanik, canupera, stems, foxgrass, horseradish, comfrey, mother and stepmother, calendula, amaranth.
Side effects from the use of burdock as a drug has not been identified. But it should be remembered about its diuretic effects, which as a result of prolonged use can cause the leaching of sodium or potassium ions from the body.
In general, if the leaves of the plant were collected in a place that is not environmentally polluted, and if the plant was properly dried and stored in a dry room, the remedy will not have a harmful effect on the body. In individual cases, an allergic reaction to the plant can be provoked, so you should not forget about consulting with your doctor. As for the positive effects of plants on the body, it is undeniable. It is only important to treat such treatment wisely, to follow the recommendations and instructions on dosage, and the favorable effect will not take long to wait.
