1 out of every 25 deaths in the world is due to liver disease. This especially affects males, as more than two thirds of men from the statistic above die from liver-related abnormalities.
The causes of liver disease are many, but the main culprit is elevated fatty tissue levels, which is something that can be prevented.
That’s why this article is dedicated to the five main Burdock Root benefits for the liver.
I’ll talk about its effects on bile build-up, ALT and AST levels, prevention of hepatitis, liver cancer and lastly, its detoxifying and blood purifying effects.
Table of Contents
What is Burdock Root?
Before we do all this, let’s first learn a thing or two about Burdock Root.
It has been used for centuries in various cultures. While people in the past didn’t have the vast scientific sources we now have today, they quickly realized the potency of this plant, especially its effects on the liver.
Burdock is a plant native to North Asia, but you’ll also find it grown in other places of the world, including the US.
Interestingly enough, Burdock is in the same family as sunflowers and daisies.
It’s a tall plant, growing up to 10 feet and its main attribute are its large leaves.
Burdock Root is extracted from the plant and is then cooked, given its mild flavor and great taste, it was considered a speciality in the 18th century.
Unfortunately, its uses nowadays are limited, most people have never heard of this plant, save for places like Brazil or Italy, where it’s still used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Important for us vitamin and mineral buffs is that Burdock Root contains healthy levels of calcium, various amino-acids, potassium and roughage.
5 Burdock Root Benefits For The Liver
Burdock Root is very important for keeping your liver healthy, even if you’re now struggling with some of the diseases mentioned at the beginning of the article.
Let me show you!
1. Helps Increase Bile
Bile is a naturally-occuring fluid secreted by the liver. It helps break down fatty tissue into fatty acids, which are later flushed down and ejected from the body via the gastrointestinal tract.
Not just that, but it also helps separate lipids from the foods you eat, which helps with energy levels and cell membrane structure.
Bile is stored in the gallbladder and naturally used by the liver as needed.
The problem with a diseased liver is that bile levels are usually too low for proper functioning, leading to many complications.
Burdock Root has been scientifically proven to increase bile levels in the liver. The study has even shown it to help control body weight and the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels.
2. Keeps AST and ALT Levels In Tact
If you have ever done a liver panel, you’ll notice two important markers for liver disease, those are called AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transaminase).
AST and ALT are measured via their ratio, which needs to be less than one in favor of AST for a healthy liver.
If that is not the case, ALT is released into the bloodstream, which is a huge sign that something is wrong with your liver.
On the other hand, AST helps repair damaged liver cells. You can now see the antagonistic effects when comparing AST and ALT.
Burdock Root helps elevate AST levels, while lowering ALT levels at the same time. This is done in a dose-dependent manner, meaning the more Burdock Root you take, the better the benefits you experience.
3. Prevents Inflammation In The Liver
Liver inflammation, more popularly, hepatitis, doesn’t not just happen in immunocompromised patients. It’s actually common in seemingly “healthy” people with hidden liver disease.
Burdock Root helps fight inflammation with the myriad of antioxidants it has in its arsenal, like luteolin and quercetin.
These are important because they prevent oxidative stress caused by free radicals in the body. Free radicals are independent in the sense that they can exist without binding with any other molecules, they essentially “float around” in your body, causing damage.
Another study showed that Burdock Root directly prevents inflammation in the liver. The paper concluded marked decrease of liver inflammation in patients imbuing Burdock Root.
4. Prevents Liver Cancer
I’m not going to sugarcoat things, if you’re already at a stage where you have liver cancer, there’s very little Burdock Root can do for you.
However, liver cancer doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes months, sometimes years for such a serious disease to develop.
That time can be used to treat liver abnormalities, which leads to the prevention of liver cancer.
While some people claim they’ve been cured from liver cancer by using Burdock Root, the science on it is still very fresh.
There are some studies showing Burdock Root fighting some types of cancer, but not necessarily liver cancer.
If you suspect there’s something out of whack with your liver, get a liver panel as soon as possible and supply yourself with Burdock Root, before it’s too late.
5. It Detoxifies And Purifies Blood Cells
This is a very important benefit of Burdock Root as it massively helps proper liver functioning.
Burdock Root doesn’t not just remove toxins and various other irritants from your blood, but it has also been shown to improve circulation.
These positive effects can’t be overstated, as the liver desperately needs healthy blood to produce bile and maintain proper functioning.
Blood riddled with toxins will surely damage the liver, which leads to the many complications and diseases I have described above.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the side effects of Burdock Root?
Burdock Root is extracted from a natural plant that’s very mild on the body. Even in high dosages, side effects are uncommon. However, if you do notice allergies or are taking blood thinners, you should definitely consult your doctor before continuing to supplement with this plant.
What is better, Milk Thistle or Burdock Root?
Milk Thistle is another, quite popular herb used for proper liver functioning. While Milk Thistle can have some side effects, it’s still a very good addition to your liver health. In conclusion, you can take both for better and faster effects, as they are both mild on the body.
Is Burdock Root a Drug?
Classifying Burdock Root as a drug is a disgrace to the plant. While it has many positive effects on the liver, it can’t be considered a drug as it’s not addictive and rarely does one develop tolerance to it.
How long does it take for Burdock Root to start working?
You’ll notice the first effects of Burdock Root after just two weeks of supplementation. However, it may take a few more weeks for the full effects to come to fruition.
What does Burdock Root taste like?
Burdock Root has a mild, nutty flavor, some people don’t even notice it. You’ll not have any problems imbuing it, quite on the contrary, its use in the culinary world is prominent!
