Burdock seed is also calledNiubangIt is the mature seed of the burdock plant from the Asteraceae family. It is mainly produced in Hebei, Zhejiang, and other regions. It is harvested in autumn and dried in the sun. It is often used raw or stir-fried and then crushed for use.
I. Efficacy of Arctium lappa seeds:
Burdock seed tastes pungent and bitter, and is cold in nature. It belongs to the lung and stomach meridians. Its effects includeDisperse wind-heat, detoxify and promote eruption, soothe throat and reduce swellingIts characteristic is to release externally and discharge internally, resolving both the exterior and interior.
Commonly used inWind-heat common cold, early stage of warm disease, measles without eruption, abscesses and soresTreatment of conditions such as
Abstracts of Famous Works by Renowned Authors:
The Pearl Pouch: Moistens the lungs, disperses qi, benefits the throat and diaphragm, and dispels wind from the skin.
"Compendium of Materia Medica": "Eliminates maculopapular rash toxicity."
"Medicinal Properties": "Capable of both ascending and descending, it effectively resolves heat toxins. Its bitter taste can extinguish fire, while its pungent nature can disperse wind. It primarily treats wind-phlegm in the upper body, facial and eye swelling, throat discomfort, various toxic heat accumulations, scrofula, neck phlegm nodules, blood-heat pox, seasonal rashes, and skin urticaria. It is suitable for all cases of lung channel depressed fire and lung channel wind-heat."
Jade Carving Medicine Explanation: "Arctium lappa seeds disperse wind-dampness, clear and benefit the throat, relieve surface rashes and stagnant heat, drain qi distension and water swelling, and treat conditions of hard lumps, swelling, and pain."
Ben Cao Bei Yao: "Acrid and neutral. Moistens the lungs and clears heat, disperses nodules and dispels wind, soothes the throat and diaphragm, regulates phlegm and cough, eliminates macules and rashes, promotes urination and defecation, circulates through the twelve meridians, disperses toxins from various swellings, sores, and ulcers, and alleviates stagnation in the waist and knees."
II. Compatibility and Application of Arctii Fructus:
1. For external contraction of wind-heat, cough with difficult expectoration, and sore throat, among other syndromes. Burdock fruit disperses wind-heat, clears the lung, and benefits the throat, particularly effective in treating wind-heat syndromes in the upper burner. For wind-heat common cold with fever, headache, and sore throat, it is often combined with honeysuckle flower, forsythia fruit, platycodon root, peppermint, and schizonepeta, namelyYinqiao Powder。
Zhang Xichun treats consumptive fever, or asthma or cough, with a rapid and weak pulse, often using burdock seeds and Chinese yam together, and then combining them with raw rehmannia root, ginseng, scrophularia root, raw hematite, asparagus root, licorice root, etc., which isLiquan DecoctionZhang said "Arctium lappa and Chinese yam used together are best for stopping cough."
Zhu Liangchun treats wind-heat evil toxins congesting upward, tonsillitis, or severe redness, swelling, and pain that makes it difficult to swallow liquids, often using burdock seeds in combination with platycodon root, licorice, silkworm, mint, scrophularia root, and other herbs; if there is excessive phlegm, additional herbs such as fritillaria, trichosanthes peel, and tangerine peel may be added for reference.
2. For the initial stage of measles, poor eruption of rashes, and conditions such as wind-heat induced rashes. Burdock seed can disperse wind-heat and expel heat toxins. It is often combined with honeysuckle, mint, and schizonepeta. If heat toxins are excessive, it is commonly paired with dyers woad leaf, arnebia root, and cimicifuga.
Compendium of Justice on Materia Medica: For lung pathogens that should be dispersed and not suppressed, such as measles in its early stage when it has not yet erupted, premature administration of clearing and descending agents often risks obstructing qi movement and causing inward sinking. Only the seeds of Arctium lappa can both clear and disperse. Moreover, in damp-heat diseases, if bowel movements are spontaneous, the pathogenic influence can be slightly reduced. Therefore, the seeds of Arctium lappa are the specific remedy for measles.
3. For heat-toxin sores and swelling, mumps, and constipation, etc. Burdock seed can clear heat and resolve toxins, disperse accumulation and reduce swelling, while also unblocking the large intestine. When heat-toxin and phlegm turbidity obstruct the upper burner and the intestinal tract is blocked, using it can achieve the effect of "removing the firewood from under the cauldron," serving a dual purpose. It is often combined with herbs such as isatis root, forsythia, and wild chrysanthemum.
III. Usage and Dosage of Burdock Seed:
Niubangzi is often used in decoctions and also made into pills or powders. The usual dosage in decoctions ranges from a few grams to over ten grams.
It is extremely hard, and its medicinal properties are difficult to release without frying, so it is suitable to be fried until fragrant and then crushed for use.
IV. Application Notes for Arctii Fructus:
Arctii Fructus tastes bitter and is cold in nature, and it has the disadvantage of causing loose stools, soContraindicated for those with qi deficiency and loose stools。
In cases of febrile diseases where external dispersion and internal discharge are desired, it is suitable; for those with deficiency-cold or inherent spleen yang deficiency, it should not be recklessly administered.
Wang Ang said, "It is cold in nature and slippery in effect, so it is contraindicated for those with deficiency-cold diarrhea in smallpox."
