Difference Between Milk Thistle & Burdock
According to the USDA, burdock and milk thistle are each listed as non-native weeds and both have been used for centuries in treating certain disorders.
Characteristics
The USDA also states that milk thistle has not been observed growing in every U.S. state, whereas burdock grows everywhere in the U.S.
Use
Milk thistle was being used for medicinal purposes as long ago as the first century A.D. Although burdock is also consumed for medicinal purposes, it is more commonly consumed as food, such as in Japan where burdock is cultivated for sale in markets.
Status
Milk thistle has become particularly problematic in California where it has been listed as an invasive species of weed. Burdock is more widespread but is not listed as invasive in California.
Medicinal Use
According to an article in "Better Nutrition," milk thistle seeds are collected and used to enhance liver function whereas the leaves of burdock have been used to treat kidney disorders.
Argicultural Use
An article in "Countryside & Small Stock Journal" reports that Burdock is harvested and burned by farmers who then spread the ashes to balance the pH of their soil.
Related Articles
References
- "Countryside & Small Stock Journal"; Burdock: a valuable plant farmers love to hate; Christopher Nyerges; November 1999
- "Better Nutrition"; Milk thistle: we need this weed!; Steven Foster; October 1997
- "Sunset"; Making war on the enemy weeds; November 1990
Resources
Writer Bio
Peter Thorson has been writing professionally for eight years. He completed a bachelor's degree in print journalism and creative writing from Long Beach State in 2004 and has written for local newspapers the "Seal Beach Sun" and the "Daily 49er," as well as for "Surfer's Path" magazine.
