Arctium.

The root and seeds of Arctium lappa.

Therapeutic Action.—Burdock is described as alterative, diaphoretic, diuretic, aperient and resolvent.

It is a very excellent remedy, though but little used by most physicians. It is simple, mild and unirritating in its operation upon the system, but it is undoubtedly capable of exerting a highly sanative influence upon the nutritive fluids, and upon the constitution generally, by virtue of its depurative, resolvent and detergent qualities. It is not adapted to the relief of acute disease, its action being manifested upon the system only after its long continued use. It promotes the action of the exhalant and secreting vessels and organs to a slight extent, and acts as a mild alterative. Though alterative, it is too feeble an agent to be expected to effect the removal of a formidable or obstinate disease unaided by other means; nevertheless, it is a valuable auxiliary to more energetic remedies.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.