Bettina’s Diet: Burdock Root Tea…But Why?
Hello, friends.
You may remember from previous postings that my medical care team created a multi-pronged approach to tackle my stomach issues. Bettina has been instrumental in helping me clean up my diet and focus on macrobiotic healing. I am currently on a strict vegan diet that is heavily influenced by macrobiotic principles.
In short, Bettina recommends macrobiotic diet ideas based on my symptoms and I try it out… but not without first understanding the why.
At Bettina’s recommendation, I started drinking burdock root tea to help heal the damage taking place in my gut. Burdock root is rich in probiotics, those important polysaccharide compounds that act as food for the microflora found in our intestines. It also contains several powerful antioxidants, or polyphenols, including tannins (like those found in red wine) and lignans, which have antiviral, anticancer, and liver healing properties.
Burdock root comes from the burdock family of weeds, a group of plants related to sunflowers and daisies. Burdock plants can reach four feet in height, have heart-shaped leaves, and produce prickly, purple flowerheads that vaguely resemble thistles.
Close up on a burdock flower
But it is below ground, in the roots, where burdock holds its healing properties.
Burdock root
Burdock root has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. As the western medical world has become more open to the idea of using plants and herbs for their healing properties, scientific research on medicinal plants is occurring with increasing regularity, and several studies have supported the idea of using burdock root as part of a wellness program.
Research indicates burdock root can:
Burdock root can be consumed in a variety of ways. In eastern cultures, the root itself is sliced or diced and then sauteed or pickled. The flavor of burdock is mildly sweet and reminiscent of lotus root, and each serving is packed with vitamins, minerals, and prebiotic fibers.
I take burdock root as a tea, which also has plenty of health benefits. Recent research has indicated that roasting burdock root prior to brewing tea can significantly increase the antioxidant capacity of the brew.
I enjoy the flavor and find Buddha Teas has the best option. Others can be overly rich and somewhat earthy—and reminiscent of dandelion tea. I consume 1-4 cups each day and have been following this regimen for 6 month.
Bettina is very accommodating of my questioning nature and is always happy to provide the all-important answer to my but why questions…and that is invaluable to me. It is a rare thing to gather a medical team who is willing to explain the logic and science behind their practices and, for a chronic questioner such as myself, having the answers to my questions is an integral part of my healing process.
The next few installments of this blog will bring you along as I continue to make changes to what I eat…to heal myself from the inside out. I hope you find value in this journey, friends. I’m so glad you’ve decided to come along for the ride.
###
Additional References