In the first year, large, floppy dark green leaves make a strong rosette. The following spring, strong stems bear clusters of large, attractive purple "thistle" flowers, which open from mid summer to autumn. They then produce branches decorated with cherry-sized hooked burrs, or seed capsules, which are often used by children to throw onto woolly jumpers causing much distress to their parents! The roots are black on the outside, and usually resemble a very long carrot which can be roasted like parsnip, sliced finely and stir fried or made into a puree. The black skin needs to be peeled off first revealing the thin vegetable that can be treated like asparagus or used raw in salads. Burdock is a traditional and organic medicinal herb used by herbalists for many ailments. The root, leaf, and seed are often used for skin problems, stomach problems, joint swelling, and other conditions. Burdock root oil extract, also called burr oil, is used in Europe as a scalp treatment. In America, burdock leaves have been simmered in milk to counteract venom from rattlesnake bites, but we definitely do not recommend trying this! Nonetheless, it is freely available as a natural remedy in many health food stores and pharmacies, and is often used to treat migraines and hay fever and has a number of other potential uses. This plant was supposedly the source of the idea for developing Velcro! And finally of course, who has never heard of dandelion and burdock cordial! (Or "pop" as us oldies used to call it.....)
