What Is the Origin of Burdock Root Tea?
Burdock root tea is beloved worldwide for its delightful earthy and sweet flavor, whether enjoyed hot or cold. It is also a key ingredient in the renowned herbal blend, Essiac tea, known for its health benefits. Notably, burdock root tea is entirely caffeine-free. Botanically known as Articum lappa, burdock plants are members of the Asteraceae family, closely related to sunflowers and daisies. These plants can be found growing wild in various regions of Europe, Asia, and the United States. For centuries, burdock root has played a significant role in traditional Chinese medicine, cherished for its numerous medicinal properties. Today, it continues to be a staple in Western herbal medicine across Asia, Europe, and the United States. The roots, flowers, and other parts of the burdock plant are highly regarded for their abundance of antioxidant compounds, vitamins, and minerals, making them exceptionally beneficial to health.
How to Use Burdock Root?
One can easily consume the burdock root in raw or cooked form. People can use the root in preparing daily stews, soups or experiment with tea recipes. In addition to its popularity and primary use as a relaxing tea, the burdock root extract is also common in an oil or powder form and contributes to the essence of various beauty and pharmaceutical products in the skin and hair health industry.
What Are the Health Benefits of Burdock Root Tea?
The various systemic health benefits of burdock root tea are:
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Anti-Cancer Effect: Burdock root contains several potential anti-cancer effects exerting and immune-boosting antioxidants for example quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids. These antioxidants not only protect the body from cellular damage by fighting or warding off free radicals (they damage cells and are responsible for cancer cell division), but they also help combat the signs of cellular aging by preserving individual cell health in the body. According to Nutrition Research, burdock root is commonly employed in the preparation of beauty products as well with one study demonstrating that skin creams containing burdock root extract help tremendously reduce the impact of aging or help with the appearance of skin wrinkles by effectively eliminating them.
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Improving Hair Growth: The phytosterols comprised in burdock root are believed to boost the scalp and hair health effectively by preventing hair fall. This action is attributed to its phytosterol compound's ability to eliminate dandruff effectively while stimulating or improving the hair follicles to prevent hair loss. Many of the hair products that aim to improve hair length or thickness that are often recommended by world-renowned dermatologists, may be surprisingly comprising burdock root as a chief ingredient. This root shows promising future potential in terms of skin and hair health and is currently being utilized for reaping the same benefits too.
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Improves Liver Functions: According to a 2002 study on rats, the burdock root was recognized to potentially help in correcting the liver damage caused by excessive alcohol intake. Consequently, there may be hope for the benefits in chronic alcoholic patients, but more research is still needed to draw a firm conclusion. Experiments on human models are being conducted to look at this potential advantage on liver health.
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Eases Body Aches and Prevents Inflammation and Pain: The burdock plant owing to its multiple antioxidants comprising compounds possesses a range of anti-inflammatory properties. According to a major 2014 research study, the subjects who were found drinking burdock tea regularly had certainly lower amounts of major inflammatory markers on the whole (that are usually found in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee joint).
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Regularizes Blood Pressure: Burdock root tea contains the essential micronutrient and element potassium that is much needed for crucial body metabolic functions including regularization or that acts to lower blood pressure (by opening up the blood vessels to improve the flow of blood in them).
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Natural Decongestant: Burdock root tea has also traditionally been used in medicine as a primary decongestant and as an expectorant in treating both seasonal colds and coughs.
How to Consume or Prepare Burdock Root Tea?
One can purchase burdock root tea in either tea bags or as loose dried roots. It is available in most gourmet or grocery stores, health markets, and even for online purchases. To prepare a cup of tea using loose herbs, start by placing approximately one teaspoon of dried burdock root in a teacup. Next, pour around seven ounces of hot or boiling spring or filtered water over the herbs. Allow the mixture to steep for at least one minute and up to 20 minutes, depending on preferred strength and taste. Adjust the steeping time according to the individual’s preference. After the desired steeping period, strain the tea to remove any loose pieces, and then enjoy it.
For iced burdock tea, simply add about two teaspoons of dried root to cold water at home. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 10 minutes or longer to achieve a refreshing, icy effect before enjoying it.
Are Allergies or Adverse Effects Possible With Burdock Root Tea?
While burdock root is generally considered safe, it should be avoided by pregnant women due to its potential to stimulate the uterus and increase the risk of premature labor. Individuals with diabetes who are taking blood-sugar-lowering medications should consult their healthcare provider before consuming burdock root tea, as it may interfere with these medications and cause hypoglycemia, resulting in low blood sugar levels. It is important to note that contact dermatitis, characterized by skin rashes, has been reported in a few cases of allergic individuals who have consumed burdock. If any signs of allergy occur after consuming burdock root tea or supplements, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention from an allergist.
Conclusion
The burdock Root itself is known to exert an anti-cancer effect, acts as a natural decongestant, improves liver functions and health, improves hair growth, and is anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties amongst other numerous health benefits. Hence burdock root tea is a good substitute for not-so-healthy caffeinated drinks or beverages while also giving much-needed relaxation.
