Lappa. - Synonym. - Burdock. The root of Arctium Lappa Linne and some other species of Arctium (nat. ord. Compositae).

Habitat

Europe and Northern Asia; naturalized in North America, in waste places.

Characters

About 30 cm. or more long, and in its thickest portion, from I to 2 cm. thick; nearly simple, fusiform, fleshy, longitudinally wrinkled, crowned with a tuft of whitish, soft, hairy leaf-stalks; grayish-brown, internally paler; fracture somewhat horny; bark rather thick, the inner part and the wood radially striate, the parenchyma free from starch, - often with cavi ties lined with white remains of tissue; odor feeble and unpleasant; taste mucilaginous, sweetish and somewhat bitter.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) Possibly a glucoside. (2) Inulin. (3) Resin. (4) Tannic Acid, in small quantity.

Dose, 1/2 to 1 dr.; 2. to 4. gm.

Preparation

Extractum Lappae Fluidum. Fluid Extract Of Lappa

By maceration and percolation with Diluted Alcohol, and evaporation. Dose, 1/2 to 1 fl. dr.; 2. to 4. c.c.

Action And Uses Of Burdock

Burdock is considered to be a diuretic and a diaphoretic alterative. It has been recommended in the treatment of various chronic skin diseases, especially in psoriasis and acne.