Properties and applications of burdock oil

Do you want to look young and beautiful, give your hair and nails strength and shine? Synthetic cosmetics only hides the flaws in our appearance, masks them. To improve the skin, hair, nails, it is better to use natural and time-tested products. One of these products is burdock oil.

Burdock oil has been known as a cosmetic and medicinal product since ancient times. It is obtained from the roots of burdock, or, in a simple way, burdock. Indochina is considered his homeland. Its growing area is quite wide, it is unpretentious and does not require maintenance, in many places it was considered a weed. It is a perennial plant with large, heart-shaped leaves and round inflorescences. The European part of Russia, regions of Siberia with a temperate climate, the south of the Far East - these are the regions of its distribution in Russia. Abroad, the area of ​​its growth includes all of Europe, almost all of Asia, the Japanese islands, both America.

Burdock can often be found in abandoned areas. This is due to his addiction to soil rich in nitrogen compounds. Mentions of the use of burdocks for food are found in medieval chronicles. In the modern world, many dishes of the national cuisines of Japan, Brazil, Korea include young shoots and rhizomes of burdock.

To extract burdock oil from rhizomes, the method of "fat extraction" is used, that is, other vegetable oils, for example, olive or sunflower, are used to extract it from the roots of a plant.To do this, crushed burdock rhizomes are poured into the selected oil, then heated in a water bath (the temperature of the mixture must be kept around 50 degrees) for 60 minutes. After that, let the oil extract settle in a dark place for about a week, filter - and the burdock oil is ready for use.

The method of "cold pressing" is not used to obtain burdock oil extract

This oil extract contains:

• vitamins A, C, D, E, F, K, PP, group B;
• beta carotene;
• macro- and microelements: K, Ca, Mg, Zn, I, P, Fe;
• polysaccharides;
• tannins;
• polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids: palmitic, linoleic, stearic, ricinoleic, oleic;
• sitosterol and stigmasterol.

The finished oil is produced not only in pure form, but also enriched with vitamins, with additives in the form of red pepper, propolis, nettle, chamomile and other natural ingredients.

Pure oil, pale yellow in color, with a faint odor, thick, viscous, distinctly greasy. Cosmetic variations of a more liquid character.

Burdock oil is very useful, it is used in cosmetology as a natural remedy that improves blood circulation, stimulates the growth of hair and nails, and also strengthens them.

It is also widely known for its ability to fight dandruff, irritation, inflammation and flaking of the skin, smooth out superficial wrinkles. Mention about its benefits in the fight against lice. Therefore, burdock oil is included in many face creams and masks. Inulin (polysaccharide) facilitates the removal of dead cells of the epidermis, promotes the elimination of toxins, accelerates metabolism and improves cellular respiration.

Burdock oil extract has proven to be an excellent adjuvant in the treatment of skin diseases such as acne (acne and pimples), eczema, lichen, to accelerate the healing of small abrasions and scratches.

Burdock oil is also produced as a dietary supplement (biologically active food additive), since, having fatty acids in its composition, it has general strengthening properties. It is advised to use it both for the prevention and for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Inulin in its composition is a natural prebiotic that stimulates the large intestine. The oil itself improves the intestinal microflora, reduces the amount of ammonia formed in the intestines, which significantly reduces the risk of cancer formation.

Individual intolerance to the components is the only contraindication to the use of burdock oil. In order to determine if you have one, do a standard allergy test: apply a couple of drops of the product to your wrist or the crook of your elbow. If every other day there are no unpleasant effects in the form of redness or a rash on the skin, you can safely use this cosmetic product externally.

If you drink burdock oil, do not overdo the dosage: take only 1, maximum 2 teaspoons per day. If you exceed the recommended dose, do not blame me if you feel the side effects of the oil: nausea, vomiting, bowel upset.

If you choose to take burdock oil as a dietary supplement, you can simply drink it or season a variety of salads instead of sunflower or olive oil.

The general instructions for use are usually packaged with a bottle of oil. But there are nuances of its use for hair, nails, skin.

To strengthen hair and get rid of dandruff, burdock oil extract is used as follows:

• wash your hair and dry your hair with a towel;
• heat the oil to a warm state: this will improve its absorption;
• rub it thoroughly into the roots of the hair, massage to improve blood flow in the scalp, then spread it over the entire length of the hair with the palm of your hand or a comb;
• wrap your head with plastic wrap, then wrap it with a warm dry towel, spend about 1 hour;
• rinse with shampoo, then apply balm.

The course consists of 10-12 similar procedures. Do them 1-2 times a week, then take a break for 2 weeks.

You can use burdock oil extract to strengthen eyelashes and eyebrows. Warm it up to 40-45 degrees, then use a brush (for example, from old mascara) to apply several times on the hairs. Be careful not to get it in your eyes. Remove excess oil with a cotton swab. These procedures are best done at night, 2-3 hours before falling asleep.

For skin care, the oil can not only be used in its pure form, but also added to a variety of masks.

It is possible to use burdock oil extract for medical purposes for diseases such as:

• rash and itchy skin;
• purulent inflammation and furunculosis;
• dandruff;
• sunburn to soften the skin;
• eczema;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• to reduce pain symptoms in muscles and joints;
• rheumatism;
• diseases of the gallbladder, kidneys;
• diabetes (as an adjuvant in complex therapy);
• baldness.

Burdock oil has the ability to restore the cartilage of the joints. Apply it 1-2 times a day by rubbing it into the sore joint, then wrap it in a warm woolen cloth. The duration of the course is a month and a half.

As mentioned above, burdock oil is a prebiotic due to its high inulin content and has the ability to restore the disturbed balance of the intestinal microflora.

It also improves appetite, intestinal motility, relieves spasms, helps in the treatment of gastritis, ulcers, constipation and colitis.

For the treatment of intestines, in particular, constipation, take 1-2 teaspoons in the morning before breakfast. The course lasts 3 weeks, followed by a break for 2-3 months. Follow a similar regimen for a year. Women during pregnancy and lactation should consult a doctor.

To treat psoriasis symptoms that manifest themselves as redness and rashes on the skin of the hands, add 10 drops of burdock oil to a glass half filled with warm water. Keep your hands in this solution for about 10 minutes. Repeat these manipulations regularly and in 3-4 weeks you will notice an amazing result.

Often this disease also affects the scalp. Psoriatic eruptions cause itching, dandruff, brittle and brittle hair. As the disease progresses, thinning of hair follicles, hair loss, and finally a bald head occur.

The sequence of steps for the treatment with burdock oil for alopecia caused by psoriasis is as follows:

• heat the oil, then rub it gently into the scalp for about 10-15 minutes;
• put a rubber cap on your head or wrap it with cling film, wait 1.5 hours;
• when the keratinous crust has softened, comb it out carefully with a wooden comb (do not use metal combs).

There is another recipe for dealing with plaque psoriasis:

• soak cotton pads or just pieces of cotton with burdock oil extract;
• apply them to the places of the rash;
• wrap your head in foil for 45 minutes;
• gently peel off the softened plaque.

Repeat these steps for 10-12 days.

Burdock oil is also used as part of complex therapy in the treatment of some purely female diseases, such as uterine fibroids, mastopathy, cysts, etc.

In the treatment of mastopathy, compresses are made from cotton swabs soaked in oil on the area of ​​the chest where the seal is felt, for half an hour - no more. And so on for 14 days. Remember that burdock oil is not a medicine - it alone cannot cure!

You can easily make burdock oil for compresses yourself. To do this, you need burdock roots (100 g) and 250 ml of vegetable oil. Chop the rhizomes, cover them with oil and leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. Strain before use.

For gynecological diseases, tampons moistened with an oil extract of burdock are injected inside before going to bed and left overnight. The course of therapy lasts 1-2 weeks.

Men also benefit from grooming themselves. Burdock oil extract is able to strengthen hair, reduce hair loss not only on a violent head, but also on the chin. It also softens the skin, eliminates its flaking, nourishes the hair follicles, and increases the rate of beard growth.

Red pepper is added to burdock oil to enhance its effectiveness. In pharmacies and stores, they also sell a ready-made product with pepper, but you can make it at home - there are no more affordable components. For this:

• heat half a glass of burdock oil extract in an enamel bowl (you can take a glass one, but the first one is somehow safer);
• pour in half a teaspoon of ground red pepper or pour in 5 ml of liquid pepper tincture;
• mix the ingredients thoroughly.

For beard growth, spread the emulsion over the chin, rinse off after 60 minutes. To soften the skin (it will burn after the red pepper), apply the cream.

Children's age is also a contraindication for the internal use of burdock oil: their digestive tract is not yet fully formed, it reacts sharply to stimulation, that is, the oil extract can easily cause diarrhea.

But as a cosmetic product, it is ideal for children. Just don't forget the allergy test.

Burdock oil extract is used to strengthen hairs, cleanse the scalp of a child. Rub the heated oil into the roots, spread over the entire length and wrap with a towel. Rinse off after half an hour.

With acute diaper dermatitis, babies develop poorly healing ulcers. To combat them, the following recipe is recommended:

• prepare a compress in the form of a cotton swab soaked in burdock oil extract;
• while the child is sleeping, apply a ready-made compress to the area with the wound;
• try not to slip off prematurely (it takes about 20 minutes to soften the skin);
• clean gently with a baby wipe.

Rash, prickly heat in infants should be lubricated with clean oil, applying with fingertips and rubbing gently. For different skin irritations, add a couple of drops of burdock oil extract and chamomile and / or string infusion to the baby's bathing water.

Please note that in most of the recipes presented, burdock oil is used warm. To heat it, it is better to use a water bath, and not a microwave oven, since in the latter it is impossible to regulate the heating temperature of the composition, as a result of which there is a risk of getting burned during the procedure.

So, in order to properly heat burdock oil and get a safe product, you need to take two containers of different sizes. The larger one should be filled with half of water and sent to the fire. When the liquid in it boils, a smaller container is lowered into the water, into which burdock oil was poured in advance. Wait for the oil to reach the temperature you need and use the oven mitts to remove the container.

For cosmetic use, burdock oil is often combined with others to increase its effectiveness, such as almond or castor oil. Many add it to ready-made perfumery products purchased, such as shampoos, balms, face or hand creams, at the rate of 5 ml of oil per 200 ml of the product. The shelf life of such improved cosmetic products is reduced to 90 days.

Our feet, especially the heels, need careful care. Everyone knows how the skin coarsens after winter frosts.

There are several ways to treat your feet with burdock oil.

• By adding a few drops of oil to a warm foot bath (5 drops per liter of water). Take a bath for 30-40 minutes.
• By mixing your everyday foot care product (cream) with some burdock oil extract.
• Rubbing clean oil into rough heels. After 45-50 minutes wash your heels with lukewarm water, clean with a pumice stone, apply cream.

The elbows, like the heels, are very sensitive to coarseness. Massage the oil into the affected area 20 minutes before taking a bath.

Burdock oil can help with brittleness, delamination of nails, treatment of fungal infections, and accelerate the growth of the nail plate.

• From the delamination of the nail plate, mix 5 ml of the oil extract with a couple of drops of lemon juice, soften the nails in a hot bath and rub the prepared mixture. Do not rinse for at least an hour. Leave it overnight if possible.
• For nightly nutrition of nails, prepare a mixture of 5 ml of burdock and 1 drop of fir oil. Rub it on your nails and put on cotton gloves until morning.
• For a quick mask, you need an infusion of chamomile and 5 ml of burdock, grape oils and sour cream. Steam your nails in a warm infusion, mix the remaining ingredients together and apply the heated mixture to your nails. After a quarter of an hour, remove with a cotton swab dipped in chamomile infusion.
• To care for cuticles and nails, first warm a quarter glass of oil to 40-45 degrees. Then dip your nails in the oil for 10-15 minutes. Rinse your fingers with warm water. It is best to do this before bed, and wear cotton gloves at night.

To improve the appearance and health of the skin of the hands and nails, rub in burdock oil daily for 10-15 minutes.

The skin of the lips is very delicate and can easily become chapped and chapped, especially in winter. To soften, smooth lips, and reduce soreness, apply oil with your fingertips 1-3 times a day.

For dry, brittle hair, burdock oil extract is used in the following ways:

• apply it all the way down to the ends, comb and wrap your head up for 40 minutes;
• mix 20 ml of burdock oil extract with drops of chamomile, bey and ylang-ylang esters, apply the mixture to your hair;
• add 10 capsules "Aevita" (combined preparation of vitamins A and E) to 10 ml of burdock oil, spread on hair;
• Rub a mixture of equal amounts of burdock, chamomile and wheat germ oil extracts into your hair.

With increased oily hair, you can make a mask of the following composition: 10 ml of burdock, 5 ml of grape oil, a teaspoon of grapefruit pulp and 5 drops of essential citrus oil.

A good effect is given by masks from a combination of burdock and castor oils (1: 1). You can enrich this composition with a couple of drops of the essential oil that suits you.

For hair loss, masks are advised:

• from a mixture of propolis and burdock oil extract in equal amounts;
• from burdock oil with crushed red pepper;
• Mix 100 ml of burdock oil with red pepper, 1 ml of bey essence, 1 raw yolk, 1 tsp.honey, 1 tsp. lemon juice and apply on dry hair for 1-2 hours.

If your curls are dull and weakened after perming, use a mask of equal amounts of nettle and burdock extracts. Or with this composition: 2 raw yolks, 30 ml of burdock oil, 1 teaspoon of cocoa and 5 ml of an oil solution of vitamins A and E.

For dry skin:

• add a couple of drops of the oil extract to your face / body cream before use;
• mix 5 ml of burdock and chamomile oils, rub into dry skin 2 times a day.

For oily skin, it is also possible to use this wonderful oil, because it has the ability to normalize the work of the sebaceous glands.

To heal and nourish the skin with beneficial substances, make a mask according to this recipe:

• mix 2 tablespoons of burdock oil extract, 10 g of cooked oatmeal, 10 g of liquid honey;
• apply on clean skin for a quarter of an hour;
• wash off the mask with warm water.

To eliminate acne, cleanse the skin of the face, use a mixture of equal amounts of calendula and burdock oils. Calendula expands the pores, cleanses them, and the disinfecting effect of burdock increases the effectiveness of the procedure.

For problems in the form of acne, rash, redness of the skin, a lotion of 25 ml of burdock oil, 5 drops of lavender and eucalyptus essential essence and 50 ml of rose water is recommended.

Burdock oil will also be of great benefit when used in body care. Here are some recipes:

• when taking a bath, pour 4–5 tablespoons of the product into warm water;
• rub the whole body with burdock oil extract 10-15 minutes before showering;
• mix a third of a glass of burdock oil extract with a tablespoon of jojoba and 5 drops of neroli, use regularly warm;
• Make a mixture of 10 ml burdock oil, 10 ml jojoba oil, 1 drop of geranium and hop juice, 2 drops of fennel oil and lubricate the chest.

Most people don't know that burdock oil is good for weight loss. Naturally, one should not forget about diet and exercise.

When fighting cellulite, rub the problem areas after a shower with a mixture of 10 ml of burdock oil with essences of lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary (1 drop each). Do these operations every other day.

If you want to reduce the circumference of your hips or waist, use a wrap:

• prepare a mixture of 15 ml burdock oil extract, 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of red pepper (also ground);
• heat in a water bath to 40 degrees;
• apply to desired areas and wrap with plastic wrap for half an hour;
• if it starts to burn, reduce the wrapping period;
• wash gently with water.

You can use the following composition for weight loss massage: 3 tablespoons of burdock, 1 teaspoon of peach, 1 tablespoon of shea butter, 5 drops of essences of lemon, grapefruit and bergamot. Mix everything, warm up before use.

Burdock oil extract is often used in a mixture with herbal oils. With complex use, the beneficial effect is enhanced.

For stretch marks on the chest, the following recipe is advised:

• mix oil extract of burdock (10 ml), jojoba (10 ml), esters of rosemary (2 drops) and anise (2 drops);
• rub in the composition for 5 minutes, remove the excess with a napkin.

The course lasts 2 weeks. A combination of grape seed and burdock oils (10 ml each) and 2-3 drops of vitamin E will enhance the effect of the massage, help smooth the skin.

When using burdock oil extract for cosmetic purposes, adhere to the following recommendations:

• use the product on clean hair / skin;
• take breaks for 7-14 days between courses;
• for easier rinsing, do not wet your hair, but first apply the shampoo;
• if you are blonde, use a colorless or yellowish oil;
• After rinsing your hair, apply a balm or rinse with a solution of apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon to 1 liter of water).

Currently, wide and thick eyebrows are becoming more and more fashionable. To make them like this, you can again use the miraculous burdock oil for this.

To enhance the growth of eyebrows, chop 2 tablespoons of nettle leaves and fill with one glass of boiling water. After 15 minutes, strain the composition through a sieve and add 2 tablespoons of burdock oil to it.

To prevent hairs from falling out, take 3 tablespoons of burdock oil (pre-heated a little), 2 yolks, 2 tablespoons of honey (also heated and melted) and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and apply to eyebrows.

Currently, all kinds of burdock oil variations are presented on the market: with the addition of medicinal plants and components, and in pure form. Natural additives enhance the effect of the product, but the sheer amount of flavors and preservatives is understandably wary. For internal use, choose pure burdock oil.

When buying a ready-made product, you should pay attention to some criteria.

• The composition of the proposed oil extract. Burdock oil should be mentioned first, that is, it should have the highest percentage of content. And in general, the fewer the number of components mentioned in the composition, the better.
• On a base oil. Producers of quality goods are obliged to show this. The best quality options are almond and olive seed oils, while soybean or rapeseed oils are cheaper and less useful.
• On the bottle. The packaging should protect the oil from sunlight, that is, be made of opaque or darkened material.
• On the date of issue and expiration date.

Strictly observe the storage conditions of the product:

• the ambient temperature must be maintained at 12-15 degrees;
• protect from direct rays of light;
• store in a tightly closed bottle without the possibility of air penetration;
• out of the reach of children;
• away from open flames and microwave sources.

Opinions about the use of burdock oil are mostly positive. Some complain about the quality of the oil, about poor rinsing from hair and skin after application due to the high fat content of the product, but the bulk of consumers note that the advantages of this product are undeniable. Burdock oil extract moisturizes and nourishes the skin, nails and hair, accelerates growth, regeneration, strength and shine. It is noted that the effect is most noticeable from the use in the winter-spring period, when the body does not have enough sun and vitamins.

For information on how to properly apply burdock oil for hair, see the next video.