Japanese Herb Series 7 : "Burdock" , a highly beneficial herb

 In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, some of you may have to stay indoors more often. Now is the time to enjoy burdock dishes and burdock tea, as stress is increasing and the risk of constipation is high.

Burdock has been used internally and externally as a medicinal plant in the West for skin diseases such as eczema, boils, acne, and urticaria, and for metabolic diseases such as gout, with the intention of purifying the blood. It has also been used for diuretic, laxative, and diuretic purposes.

Not only the roots, but also the seeds and leaves are used in Chinese medicine. The roots contain a lot of dietary fiber, which is useful for improving constipation, preventing colon cancer, boosting immunity, detoxification, dieting, and rejuvenation, and is also effective against diabetes because of its diuretic and blood sugar lowering effects.

As mentioned above, burdock is used as a medicine, but in Japan, it is a kind of vegetable that is eaten daily. It is said that only in Japan is burdock used as food. The root is sold as "Gobo" and is an indispensable part of Japanese cuisine, but it is also used in Western-style dishes such as salads and soups.

▲ Burdock Leaves

Burdocks are in season from autumn to spring. Let's incorporate this herb with its rich benefits into our lives to keep our bodies in good shape.

Recipes

Burdock Root Salad

＜Ingredients＞

1 burdock root (about 150g)

60g carrot

60g cucumber

5Tbsp mayonnaise 

1tsp soy sauce

＜How to make＞

1. Wash the burdock well and lightly scrape off the skin (the skin contains a lot of flavor, so it is best not to peel it off with a peeler), shred about 5 cm long, and soak in water. Shred carrot in the same way. 

2.Put the burdock and carrot in a pot, add water and a little vinegar, and heat. When the water comes to a boil, boil for about one minute, then drain thoroughly in a colander.

3.Shred the cucumber and lightly salt. 

4.Mix mayonnaise and soy sauce in a bowl, add burdock root, carrot, and cucumber, and dress.

Burdock Tea

＜Ingredients＞

Adequate amount of burdock

＜How to make>

Wash the burdock well with a brush and lightly scrape off the skin with the back of a knife. Peel the burdock with a peeler, drain it on kitchen paper, and spread it on a colander to dry in the sun until it becomes crunchy. Put about 2 teaspoons of dried burdock tea in 300 ml of water, boil it until the color comes out, and strain out the burdock.

If you want to use it instantly and immediately, you can substitute it by heating it in the microwave for 3 minutes and dry roasting it in a pan.

References

『メディカルハーブの事典』林真一郎編　東京堂出版

『自分で採れる薬になる植物図鑑』増田和夫監修　柏書房

Notes

Although there are a variety of active ingredients in herbs, some herbs cannot be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Please consult with your physician and use your own judgment. The author is not responsible for any loss or impairment caused by the use based on this blog.