(NaturalNews) Much maligned for the burrs that cover children's
clothing and get caught in dogs' fur, this misunderstood weed is
actually a highly valued plant for both food and medicine.
Burdock (Arctium lappa and Arctium minor) is easily
recognizable, especially in the fall when the burrs are out and
sticking to everything that walks by. In the early spring,
you'll find this biennial plant as large wavy green leaves that
are woolly and silvery underneath. The leaves can get quite
large, up to a foot wide and 2 feet long. Be careful to
distinguish from rhubarb leaves, which are a cultivated (non-
wild) plant, but are poisonous. Burdock grows mostly on
roadsides, vacant lots, any disturbed area across North America,
though Burdock is originally from Europe and Asia. In
Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Burdock seeds of Arctium lappa
are called Niu Bang Zi and are used to clear Wind-Heat from the
throat, for symptoms such as fever, cough and a sore, red,
swollen throat. It is also used to clear heat and toxicit