Niu Bang Zi

Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) – The Classic Wind-Heat-Dispersing and Throat-Clearing HerbBurdock seed (Niu Bang Zi), also known as "Burdock Seed" or "Greater Burdock Fruit," is the traditional Chinese name for the dried ripe fruit of Arctium lappa, an acrid, bitter, cool herb from the daisy family that has been part of traditional Chinese herbal systems for over 2400 years. This cool, acrid-bitter herb is particularly known for its ability to effectively disperse normal wind-heat, resolve normal toxic heat, significantly ease normal sore throat, support normal cough, promote normal eruption and well support normal bowel function – making it an ideal choice for people with a tendency toward normal heat-related sore throat, normal cough with yellow phlegm, normal swelling/abscesses, normal wind-cough symptoms and normal heat-related constipation.Traditional Understanding in TCM Systems – "The Throat-Clearing Specialist"Within traditional Chinese medicine, burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) is described as "the throat-clearing specialist among wind-heat dispersers" – although it is less dispersing than herbs like Bo He or Jing Jie, it is uniquely suited for normal sore throat. In the TCM theoretical framework, it acts on the so‑called Lung and Stomach meridians. According to this traditional description, burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) specializes in normal "wind-heat dispersal," helps "resolve normal toxic patterns," "ease normal sore throat" and "promote normal rash eruption" – crucial TCM concepts for normal external pathogen defense and normal surface heat clearing.Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) is seen in TCM as "the promoter of wind-heat clearing AND throat clearing" – one of the most-used herbs for normal acute and subacute heat-related conditions.Botanical Composition and ResearchBurdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) contains over 150 bioactive compounds, of which the main ones are:Lignans (arctiin, arctigenin – characteristic components, very bioactive)Polysaccharides (inulin in roots, fructooligosaccharides)Fatty acids (20–30% fat oil in seeds)Phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, cinnarine)Flavonoids (quercetin, rutin)Modern scientific research shows that burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) components can offer very diverse benefits:Normal wind-heat dispersal: Studies show that arctiin and arctigenin can regulate normal inflammatory response elements and reduce normal inflammatory markers.Normal sore throat relief: Research suggests that certain components can ease normal throat inflammation and restore normal fluid balance in normal throat.Normal antimicrobial and antiviral effects: Research shows that certain components possess normal antibacterial activity – classically against pneumococcus and other pathogens.Normal intestinal lubrication and laxative action: burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) is rich in fatty acids that can support normal bowel function – the classical "intestine-lubricating" effect.Anti-inflammatory action: Arctigenin (the most potent component) can inhibit normal iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and modulate normal inflammatory cytokine production.Normal antioxidant activity: Phenolic compounds possess strong free-radical-fighting action.Normal diuretic and antipyretic effects: Traditionally used for normal urine drainage and normal fever fighting.Traditional Applications – TCM ContextIn traditional TCM formulas, burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) is classically used in situations described as:Normal wind-heat symptoms with normal sore throat or normal coughNormal heat-related sore throat or normal pharyngitisNormal heat-related sores, boils or normal abscessesNormal heat-related swollen salivary glands or normal mumpsNormal red rash or normal heat-related skin conditionsNormal heat-related cough with yellow phlegmNormal wind-heat with normal constipation (double treatment!)Normal pneumonia or normal acute bronchitisNormal heat-related gum inflammationNormal heat-related tongue swellingThese are traditionalist descriptions that form part of the TCM thinking system and must not be equated with medical diagnoses in the sense of European medicinal product law.Well-being and Daily UseBurdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) is valued by modern users ONLY as part of professional TCM formulas for normal acute wind-heat clearing, normal sore throat relief and normal acute infection defense. This herb is NOT suitable for independent daily standalone use without professional guidance.Many users see burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) as part of targeted therapeutic formulas – as a wind-heat-dispersing, throat-clearing-promoting element for normal acute health support, ALWAYS under the guidance of a qualified TCM doctor.CAUTIOUS NOTE FOR THE CONSUMERThis product is a dietary supplement for professional TCM use. TCM terms such as Wind-Heat Dispersal, Throat Clearing, Normal External Pathogen Defense are system concepts that form part of a traditional thinking system and must not be directly equated with anatomical structures or disease explanations in modern medicine.If you have persistent sore throat, normal cough symptoms or normal infection concerns, you should always consult a qualified TCM doctor or medical expert BEFORE using this herb in formulas.