Burdock is a very common plant of the United States. The root is the medicinal part. The root looks some like a parsnip, and has the full medical property about the time the burr ripens.

Medical properties and uses. -- This is a mild diuretic, cooling to the blood, and is a splendid diuretic for children, where they are troubled with burning or scalding urine, with a frequent desire to pass it. Take the green root, mash it fine and put it into a pitcher of water, stir well as you would a pitcher of lemonade, let it stand half a day and it is ready for use. Drink freely instead of water. In many cases of soreness in the region of the kidneys the free use of this remedy will entirely overcome it. It acts well where the patient with fever is bothered with high-colored scalding urine. It is a refrigerant and mild diuretic.