Cocklebur
Parts Usually Used
Leaves, root
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Cocklebur is a variable weedy annual plant that grows to 5 feet in height. The leaves are oval to heart-shaped, somewhat lobed or toothed, on long stalks. The green flowers are inconspicuous. The fruits are oval, with crowded hooked prickles, often called burrs. Blooms September to November.
Where Found
Found in waste places.
Medicinal Properties
Antispasmodic, analgesic, alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative
Biochemical Information
Xanthostrumarin, resin, fatty oil, alkaloids, organic acid, vitamin C, ceryl alcohol
Legends, Myths and Stories
This weed is very obnoxious to contact; the seed pods tend to adhere to animal fur and human clothing. Often transplanted throughout an area by clinging to the fur of animals and dropping at distances to become wider spread and more obnoxious. It is a very valuable therapeutic medicinal used by the Chinese for rheumatic pains and aches as well as sinus blockage. Also used as a yellow dye.
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Uses
Historically, cocklebur was utilized by herbalists for fevers, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis accompanied by headaches, chronic lumbago, and severe itching of the skin. Native American traditions made use of a tea brewed from the leaves for kidney ailments, rheumatism, arthritis, colds, diarrhea, and as a blood tonic. Similar applications were documented in traditional Chinese practices.
Warning
Most cocklebur species are toxic to livestock and are usually avoided by them. Seeds contain toxins, but the seed oil has served as lamp fuel.
Bibliography
American Folk Medicine , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973 Chinese Medicinal Herbs , compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R.
, Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974