Burdock Root Meaning, Healing, and Magical Uses
Welcome to the Masters’ Grimoire of Magical Herbs page for Burdock Root. Here you will learn everything you've ever wanted to know about this herb including Burdock Root's magical uses, Burdock Root physical healing, and emotional healing properties, plus its use in meditation, Burdock Root lore and legends, and much more!
Introduction to Burdock Root
Burdock Root is also known as Arctium. Arctium is a genus of biennial plants commonly known as burdock of the family Asteraceae. It is also in the thistle family. It is native to Europe and Asia and several species have been widely introduce all over the world. Plants of the genus Arctium have dark green leaves and grow up to 70 centimeters. They are usually large, coarse, and ovate. Lower leaves are heart shaped and wooly underneath. The leafstalks grow hollow and it usually flowers from July to October.
Burdock flowers provide pollen and nectar for honeybees around August when the clovers wane and the goldenrod begins to bloom. Burdock’s clinging properties provide a perfect mechanism for seed dispersal.
A large number of species of Burdock have been placed in the genus Arctium. This article is about Arctium lappa. Burdock are sometimes confused with cockleburs and rhubarb. The root of Burdock are eaten by larvae of the ghost moth. The plant is also used as food by other butterflies and moths including the brown-tail, Gothic, and scalloped hazel.
Burdock root can be harvested and eaten as a vegetable. This is popular in Eastern Asia. In China it is known as niubang and gobo in Japanese. It is also eaten in Korea and Taiwan. In Korea, burdock root is called u-eong or “whole burdock.” Plants are cultivated for their slender roots which grow up to one meter long and two centimeters across.
Burdock root is very crisp and has a sweet, mild, or pungent flavor. The roots have also been used as a potato substitute in Russia. The German word for burdock is Klette and velcro is Klettverschluss which means burdock fastener.
The Sacred Number of Burdock Root is 134.
Burdock Root Magical Uses and Purposes
Burdock root can be used in magic for the purposes of dealing with conflict, disagreement, clashes, combat, disputes, opposition, differences, struggles, incompatibility, and compromise.
In Turkish Anatolia, burdock plant is believed to ward of the evil eye. It is often a motif that is woven into kilils for protection. The plant also symbolizes abundance. Burdock can be used in magical spells and rituals for charms for prosperity, vitality, and virility. You may write wishes on the leaves of burdock and burn then to make them come true. Incorporate burdock root into spells fro warding, hex-breaking, and good fortune.
Healing with Burdock Root
Burdock Root Physical Health Benefits
Burdock root is believed to encourage and improve lactation. It is sometimes recommended to be avoided during pregnancy based on animal studies that show components of uterus stimulation. Burdock seeds are used in traditional Chinese medicine under then name niubangzi. Burdock is a traditional medicinal herb used for many ailments. Burdock root oil extract, also called bur oil, is used in Europe as a scalp treatment.
It is most commonly used in healing as a diuretic and a digestive aid. Today, researches have discovered numerous potential uses and health benefits of burdock root. These benefits include antioxidants which burdock root contains in multiple types. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and helped patients with osteoarthritis.
It removes toxins from the blood and contains active ingredients that can remove toxins. It also was found to increase blood circulation in the surface of the skin. It was also shown to inhibit some types of cancer, specifically pancreatic carcinoma.
Burdock root may possible be an aphrodisiac. In a non-human study the extract of burdock root had this effect. It enhanced sexual function and increased the amount of sexual behavior in male rats. It an also help king conditions like acne and eczema. It’s anti-inflammatory properties helped resolve skin issues when applied to the skin and may also help treat topical burns.
Spiritual Healing with Burdock Root
Burdock root is believed to nourish and heal the spirit at the deepest level due to its origins from the soil. The roots are a reservoir of spiritual healing energy.
Emotional Healing with Burdock Root
Burdock roots is considered to be an adaptogen which helps the body function better under the stress of everyday life. It can help us sort through our emotions and deal with them in a healthy way and allow us to navigate through life’s many stressors with ease.
Burdock Root for Chakra Healing
Burdock root is associated with the Heart Chakra.
The Heart Chakra is located near the breastbone. It regulates our interactions with the external word. It controls what we embrace and what we resist. It gives us balance and the ability to neither be too aloof nor too involved. It balances our inner being and our self within our own environment.
When this chakra is in balance, we are relaxed and interacting with other is easily as well as the demands of the world are lessened. We understand when our needs are compromised and can deal with the emotional ebb and flow of relationships. It allows us to accept change.
Color Energy of Burdock Root
Burdock root gives us its color energy from its flowers, its art. Its color energy is violet. Burdock Root bring the spirit energy of Violet to us. Violet energy takes on the darker hue of winter’s majesty, the time just after the winter solstice. It inspires awe, and invites a feeling of mystery and magic, nobility and luxury. It is one of the most powerful rays in nature, helping us interpret our dreams and inspiring us to great deeds and accomplishments. It brings passion and imagination, emotion and logic. It brings the deep vision needed to see the future. It gives us powerful insight and enhances our perception of the potential effects of our decisions.
Angels Associated with Burdock Root
Cilantro is associated with three different angels, Iezalel, Menadel, and Parasiel.
Iezalel, the protector and ruler of the dates May 21 - 25; Gemini.
Menadel, the protector and ruler of the dates September 18-23; Virgo.
Parasiel, Angel of Treasures
Burdock Root and the Goddess
Burdock Root is associated with Medb. Medb is the Celtic earth goddess of desire. She can bring feelings of youth and vigor and sexual desire especially in men.
Burdock Root Birth Herb
Burdock Root is one of the birth herb for those born on
January 13, March 31, May 7, June 4, June 30, July 13, September 1, October 14, November 10, December 4, and December 14.
If you were born on one of these dates, you might find that you have a particular attraction to Burdock Root. You may feel drawn to it. Those with the birth herb of Burdock Root will likely find it more powerful and intuitive to work with.
Burdock Root I Ching Hexagram
Burdock Root is associated with the 6th hexagram of the I Ching.
This hexagram is about Resolving Conflict.
The fact that the sky and sea are permanently divided reminds the empowered person that conflict is inevitable. The keywords for this hexagram are: conflict, disagreement, clashes, combat, disputes, opposition, differences, struggles, incompatibility, compromise.
It encourages us to stand up for you feel is right and developing common ground and to pursue the trust of others. It also encourages us to evaluate our own positions and try to understand our own motives while keeping a cool head.
It cautions against fighting for causes that we do not believe in and moving forward in situations that we know are wrong. We must push away the idea that might makes right and never favor aggression over agreement. We must treat the ideas and values of others with respect.
Burdock Root Astrological Sign
Burdock Root is associated with the zodiac sign of Virgo.
Virgo is a mutable earth sign. Virgos are highly analytical and often choose reason over emotion. They are perfectionists and have a very logical approach to life. They work hard and pay attention to detail.
In moon astrology, Burdock Root is associated with the Sixth Mansion of the Moon, the Mansion of the Sky.
The Sky overhead is the canvas of the winds, Zephyrus, Boreas, Notos, and Euros, On it they paint the brilliant oranges, reds and golds of sunrises and sunsets, the silver ghostly fogs, the bright whites and the angry grays of the clouds, the blues of summer, the blacks of night, and the pale greens of the reflected oceans. The colors of the sky color our lives and emotions. We are happy in sunshine of blue skies, a bit sad as the reds and scarlets of sunset fade, and a bit worried as the black night covers us before the moon appears.
You might use your Burdock Root to "learn to color" a little in life.
Uses of Burdock Root in Feng Shui
Burdock root gives us earth energy in Feng Shui.
The roots of Burdock bring us Earth energy. Earth energy is the Yin energy of the home, roots, family, security, grounding, permanence, and tradition. Use cheroots of the Burdock for security, family, and maintaining traditional values.
Uses of Burdock Root in Talismans and Amulets
Burdock Root is used in talismans and amulets for; civility, clear sight, clarity, eloquence, dealing with emptiness, fairies, fashion, freedom, fulfillment, music, self expression, stimulating imagery, talent, artistic expression, beauty, enchantment, awareness, artistic inspiration, and following your heart.
Using Burdock Root in Divination
Burdock root is known to bring clarity. This clarity can be extremely helpful in the art of divination.
Meditation with Burdock Root
For a clear mind, burdock root can improve the benefits of mediation and allow you to see more clearly. It can also bring courage to face whatever clarifications you discover.
Lore and Legends of Burdock Root
Burdock root is popular as a soft drink flavor in the UK just like Dandelion. The origins of this go back to the medieval period from hedgerow mead.
In Europe, burdock root was used as a bittering agent for beer before the widespread adoption of hops.
Before and during World War II, Japanese soldiers were issued a 15 1/2 inch bayonet held in a black-painted scabbard, the juke. Their nickname was the burdock sword.
Burdock is the inspiration for the invention of velcro. George de Mastral, in 1948 was taking his dog out for a walk and became curious about the seeds of the burdock plant that had attached themselves to his clothes and his dog. Under a microscope, he discovered the hook system that seeds used to hitch a ride on passing animals. He realized the same system could be used to join other things. His work led to the development of the hook and loop fastener, which was initially sold under the Velcro brand.
by Theresa Peters
Theresa Peters is an (almost) life-long Alaskan. She is a writer and artist for the Crystal Inner Circle and has been studying crystals and their metaphysical and magical properties since she was a teen. Living in Alaska she has grown to appreciate the magical qualities of nature and the way the effect it has on all living things.
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References
IChing for Beginners - by Mark McElroy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctium
https://www.healthline.com/health/burdock-root
https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/magickal-properties-of-burdock
(Please note: Information on this website is no substitute for consulting a health care professional. All information contained on this website, including information relating to medical and health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. Please see your doctor or health care professional before starting any alternative treatments, diets, supplements, or exercise programs.)