Use of Niu Bang Gen (greater burdock roots) in TCM

Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.

Preparation: Remove impurities, clean, cut and dry

Dosage: 6 to 15 g

Main actions according to TCM*: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Heat. Reduces swelling and clears pathogenic Heat.

Primary conditions or symptoms for which Niu Bang Gen may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Headache Coughing Swellings Sore throat Painful gums Rheumatic athralgia Lumps Carbuncles Conjunctivitis Hemorrhoids Rectal prolapse Common cold

Key TCM concepts behind Niu Bang Gen's properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Niu Bang Gen belongs to the 'Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior' category. Herbs that release the Exterior aim to to treat the early stages of diseases that affect the upper respiratory tract, the eyes, the ears, the nose, the throat or the skin. TCM believes that External diseases such as colds or allergies can only invade the body if the External environment overwhelms our Wei Qi (the TCM version of the immune system). In order to counteract this invasion Cool/Acrid herbs aim to induce sweating by dilating our capillary pores so that they release more sweat. The belief is that this will expel the disease from the body and stop it from invading further.

As suggested by its category Niu Bang Gen is Cool in nature. This means that Niu Bang Gen tends to help people who have too much 'Heat' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Cold in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Niu Bang Gen can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

Niu Bang Gen also tastes Bitter and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Niu Bang Gen tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Niu Bang Gen is thought to target the Heart and the Lung. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.

Use of Niu Bang Gen as food

Niu Bang Gen is also eaten as food.