Burdock: The Original Idea Behind Velcro Is Also a Centuries-Old Blood Purifier

In 1941, Swiss engineer George de Mestral came home from a hunting trip with burrs stuck all over his pants and his Irish Pointer's coat. Most people would have picked them off and moved on. De Mestral put them under a microscope instead and saw thousands of tiny hooks. That close look led to the invention of Velcro.

Those burrs, prickly seed pods that cling to clothing and fur, came from burdock. Most people pass it by as just another weed, but long before it inspired Velcro, herbalists used burdock for its root. Our great-grandparents even called it a "blood purifier."

Burdock is native to Europe and Northern Asia, but people have found uses for it wherever it has spread. Among Native American tribes, those in the Great Lakes region and the Northeast used it for skin sores, while the Cherokee relied on it for a broader range of needs. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used for coughs, colds, and sore throats, and its fruit is treated as a blood purifier. Over the generations, burdock and its partner, dandelion, became a well-known pair for cleansing the blood.

What Does "Cleansing the Blood" Really Mean?

When herbalists call burdock a blood purifier, they are not picturing a scrub brush moving through your veins. They mean an herb that helps the body clear out waste while also supplying nutrients that help build it back up.

Several parts of the body share the work of filtering waste from the blood, and The Little Herbal Encyclopedia connects burdock to each one:

• The liver. Burdock is valued as a strong liver-purifying herb. Since the liver does much of the body's filtering, it sits at the center of any blood-cleansing tradition.
• The kidneys. Burdock has a long history of supporting kidney function and increasing the flow of urine. Herbalists believed this helped clear harmful acids from the blood, which is why burdock was also a traditional choice for achy, swollen joints.
• The lymphatic system. This network carries fluid and waste away from your tissues. Burdock is credited with easing the load on both the lymph and the kidneys.
• The skin and hair. Acne, eczema, and rashes are among burdock's traditional uses, with acne treated as a blood-cleansing concern. 

For anyone curious about a natural blood cleanse, this is what makes burdock stand out: it has been trusted to support each organ responsible for keeping the blood clean.

What's Inside the Root

Many of burdock's benefits start at the root, and iron is one of the most notable. Because iron is so important to healthy blood, it makes sense that a root high in iron would earn a place in blood-cleansing traditions.

The root is 27% to 45% inulin, a form of starch that plays an important role in how the body handles carbohydrates. It is also mineral-rich, which is one reason herbalists have long valued burdock for nourishing and building the body. On top of that, the root contains natural plant compounds that early research is studying for how they may help calm inflammation.

How People Use Burdock Today

Burdock comes in several forms, so it can fit into almost any routine:

• Burdock root tea, made from the dried root
• Capsules, for a simple daily option
• Liquid extracts, also called tinctures
• Fresh root, cooked as a vegetable

In the past, burdock was also made into a poultice, a soft, moist wrap placed on the skin, to soothe sores and bug bites.



Before trying burdock, keep a few things in mind. People who are allergic to chrysanthemums may also react to burdock. Quality matters, too: some burdock teas have been found contaminated with a substance from belladonna, a plant that can be harmful. With more than 30 years serving McDonough, Herbal Planet carefully chooses the brands on our shelves, so you can feel confident in what you bring home.

Explore Burdock at Herbal Planet

From Native American healing traditions to the invention of Velcro, burdock has been part of people's lives for generations. Curious about adding this classic blood purifier to your routine? Stop by Herbal Planet, where burdock root is on our shelves, and our team is happy to help you choose the form that fits your needs. Visit McDonough's neighborhood herb and vitamin shop since 1991 at 2560 Highway 42 N, McDonough, Ga. 

Sources

• The Little Herbal Encyclopedia, "Burdock" entry, pp. 40–41
• VELCRO® Brand: How George de Mestral Invented the VELCRO® Brand Fastener