The flowering stems of Arctium minor may be 1.5 meters tall and the basal and lower leaves may be as large as 1/2 meter in length and nearly as wide.
Arctium minus is a large weed introduced to North America from Europe and now widely naturalized throughout the U.S. The "empty" counties on the Wisconsin distribution map probably indicate a reluctance of people to collect scientific vouchers of this large weed, rather than true absence.
The ability of the fruits to stick tightly to fur or clothes is said to have been the inspiration for the invention of "velcro".
Arctium lappa protects the ICR mice from CCl4 (32 microl/kg, i.p.) or acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, i.p.) -induced liver damages, by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes.
Inulin-type of fructofuranan was isolated from the roots of Arctium lappa and its structure was determined by methylation analysis and 1H &13C NMR spectral measurements.
The metabolic changes of the seeds at the primary stage of germination in Arctium lappa was investigated by means of electrophoresis and found to be complex and 96 h and 120 h after germination are the key times of metabolism.
Pages 20-39, Arctium to Chelidonium(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-30)
A small proportion of the Compositae are poisonous and are detailed as separate entries (see Arctium spp., Eupatorium rugosum, Helenium autumnale, Tanacetum vulgare, and Xanthium spp.).
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: In the genusArctium the heads are entirely discoid; involucres: globular; involucral bracts: attenuate to long, stiff, hooked tips; pappus: numerous, rough, separate, deciduous bristles; leaves: large and coarse.
Arctium may have hypoglycemic activity and therefore have potential as a medicine for diabetes.
Properties: Arctium is pungent and bitter in flavour, cold in nature and acts on the lung, stomach and large intestine channels.
Pungent for dispersing exopathogens, and bitter and cold for clearing heat from the interior, it has a weak effect of relieving exterior syndromes but a strong effect of clearing heat, accompanied by an effect of alleviating diarrhea.
In addition, arctium can also be used it treat sore and carbuncle caused by toxic heat, swelling pain of mumps and other syndromes.
A variety of herbal therapies can be useful in the treatment of constipation.
Several herbs, including chamomile (Matricaria recutita), dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum), and burdock (Arctium lappa), act as bitters, stimulating the movement of the digestive and excretory systems.
There are also "laxative" herbs that assist with bowel movement.
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Talk to your health care provider before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen.
Note: Cases of poisoning have been reported from burdock root products that were mixed unintentionally with the roots of belladonna or deadly nightshade.
Burdock -- Arctium lappa L. Whole Document Navigator (Click Here)
Burdock -- Arctium lappa L. Burdock -- Arctium lappa L. James M. Stephens
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