Plant burdock root in your garden for its medicinal benefits.
Burdock root grows to be three to four feet tall. Its purple flowers bloom between June and October. The roots are perhaps the most important part of the plant. Burdock root has long been used for its medicinal qualities in herbal remedies to treat tonsillitis, measles, throat pain, viruses, arthritis and as a diuretic. According to Natural Herbs Guide, in more current times, burdock is also used in the treatment of cancer, gout, rheumatism, psoriasis, ulcers and acne. The Chinese often use it to treat impotence and barrenness. Burdock root can be grown from seed.
Instructions
1. Choose a planting location that has full sun. Burdock will tolerate some shade, but prefers a sunny spot.
2. Examine a handful of soil to make sure it is rich and free of rocks. It should drain well and be loose, not wet or heavy. Run a rototiller over the top foot of soil to loosen it up. This will encourage the roots to grow straight and long.
3. Sow burdock seeds into the garden or yard as soon as the danger of frost has passed. The soil should be able to be worked. Space the seeds one inch apart, with one seed in each hole.
4. Cover the burdock seeds with 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of soil. Use a garden blend or starter seed combination.
5. Press the soil down to eliminate air pockets. Water it lightly to promote germination. Expect seedlings to emerge in four to seven days.
6. Thin the seedlings out once they are a few inches tall. Leave just enough space so they are three inches apart in rows. The rows should be two feet apart. Keep weeds away from young plants.
7. Water the burdock root to keep the soil moist. Give them a general fertilizer monthly. Follow the instructions on the label.
8. Pick the plant when the roots are one to two feet long, which will take more than 100 days. Young stems and leaves can be picked for eating. Cook them like you would cook spinach. Burdock root can be peeled and eaten raw or prepared.
Tags: Burdock root, burdock seeds