Greater burdock is a biennial growing to a height of 80-180 centimeters.
The herb has thick, juicy and branched root.
The branched stem is covered with hairs.
Violet rosy blossoms are arranged in composite florescence with a diameter of 3-3.
5 centimeters.
The covering leaves are narrow and linear.
The herb blooms in July and August.
Fruits are longish and variegated covered with stiff hairs.
Greater burdock can be found in weedy area, roadside and near field.
The herb is cultivated in France, China, Japan and USA.
You should collect root and leaves.
The leaves should be collected in June and July by cutting 10-15 centimeters long tops.
The roots should be collected at the end of the vegetation in autumn of the first year or in early spring of the second year.

1. The structure of greater burdock leaves and root is well investigated.
   They contain terpenoids, triterpenes, taraksasterol, palmitic acid, ascorbic acid (in leaves), lactone, mucilaginous substances, sugars and other biologically active substances.
   Root, in addition, contains essential oil, inulin (up to 45 percent) and proteins (approximately 12 percent).
   Leaves, in addition, contain also flavonoids.
   
2. The herb has diuretic action.
   In addition, it stimulates appetite, improves metabolism and heals skin.
   
3. Inulin is responsible for the increased accumulation of glycogen in liver, the stimulation of the activity of proteolytic ferments, as well as, improved production of insulin in pancreas.
   
4. Remedies made of the plant increase diuresis and sweating.
   In addition, they slightly stimulate bile secretion.
   The herb is proven to stimulate appetite and improve the exchange of mineral substances.
   Greater burdock is used to make a decoction, infusion, liquid extract and tincture.
   In order to make the infusion or decoction, you should infuse a tablespoon of the herb with a glass of boiling water.
   Drink 500 millilitres of the decoction within a day in three equal portions.
   Liquid extract (proportion 1:1 with an ethanol at 25 percent concentration) should be used 3 times a day.
   One dose should be 2-8 millilitres of the remedy.
   You should take 8-12 millilitres of the tincture (proportion 1:10 with ethanol at 45 percent concentration) 3 times a day.
   
5. Leaves have bactericidal activity.
   Remedies made of greater burdock leaves are particularly advisable in case of psychogenic lack of appetite, cystitis, skin rashes and eczema, especially, during dry phase and desquamation.
   
6. Greater burdock remedies are used to treat renal diseases, gastritis, diseases of urinary bladder, gallstones, ulcer diseases, metabolic disorders, gout and rheumatism.