Niu Bang Zi

Latin name: Fructus Arctii Lappae

Niu Bang Zi Also Known As: Great Burdock Fruit, Arctium, Bardana, Bardanae Radix, Bardane, Beggar's Buttons, Burr Seed, Clotbur, Cocklebur, Cockle Buttons, Edible Burdock, Fox's Clote, Great Bur, Great Burdocks, Happy Major, Hardock, Harebur, Lappa, Love Leaves, Personata, Philanthropium, Thorny Burr. Arctium lappa; Arctium minus; Arctium tomentosum.

Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER - COLD

Dosage: 3-9g.

Meridians/Channels: LUNG, STOMACH

• expel wind-heat, benefits throat - fever, cough, sore-red-swollen throat
• clear heat, relieve toxicity - red swellings, carbuncles, mumps, rashes
• moisten intestines - constipation due to wind-heat

Also Used For: Orally, Niu Bang Zi/Burdock is used as a diuretic, "blood purifier", antimicrobial, antipyretic, and to treat anorexia nervosa, GI complaints, rheumatism, gout, cystitis, and chronic skin conditions including acne and psoriasis. Topically, Niu Bang Zi/Burdock is used for dry skin (ichthyosis) and eczema. Folk medicine, burdock is used for treating colds, catarrh, cancers, and as an aphrodisiac. Historically, burdock has been used in the treatment of gout and syphilitic disorders. Food, burdock is consumed in Asia.