Chinese herbal medicine White Burdock, also known as Burdock, is the mature fruit of the annual or perennial herbaceous plant Burdock in the Burdock family. It is widely produced in most parts of China, with more White Burdock found north of the Yangtze River.
Image of White Burdock
【Morphological Characteristics of White Burdock Medicinal Material】
It consists of 5 small fruits aggregated together, forming a pentagonal shape, with a diameter of 0.6-1cm.
Some split into single fruit segments, which are dance-like in shape, with a green-white or gray-white surface. The back is raised with many reticulations and small spines, as well as symmetrical long spines and short spines in pairs.
It is hard in texture and prickly to touch. The cut surface shows a white or yellow-white oily seed kernel. It has no odor and tastes bitter and pungent.
Uniform and solid grains with a gray-white color are preferred.
【Storage of White Burdock】
Store in a well-ventilated and dry place to prevent mold and worm damage.
The medicinal herb Sha Yuan Zi, also known as Tong Burdock or Sha Yuan Burdock, refers to the seeds of the legume plant Flatstem Milkvetch. It has the functions of nourishing the kidneys and consolidating essence, nourishing the liver, and improving eyesight. It should not be mixed with White Burdock.
【Processing of White Burdock】
White Burdock: Remove impurities from the raw material.
Stir-fried Burdock: Take clean Burdock and stir-fry it in a pot with low heat until it turns slightly yellow. Then place it on a stone mill with 1-2 copper coins underneath, and grind the Burdock to remove the hard spines. Sieve out the spines and remove any stems or impurities.
Salted Burdock: Take the spines-free Burdock and mix it well with salt water (for every 100 kilograms of Burdock, use 3 kilograms of salt and dissolve it in a suitable amount of boiling water until clear). Let it marinate thoroughly, then stir-fry it in a pot with low heat until it turns slightly yellow. Take it out and dry it.
After stir-frying, the medicinal properties of White Burdock become milder. It can both soothe the liver and nourish the kidneys, and it is also easy to remove the spines and crush it.
