Arctium lappa.

ARCTIUM LAPPA, L. Burdock. Common to both continents. Root valuable, diuretic, diaphoretic and detergent, equivalent to Aralia and Smilax. Useful in rheumatism, scurvy, syphilis, nephritis, phlogosis, oedema, gravel and gout. These properties are mild, since the boiled roots, stems and leaves are eaten in Canada; nay, the root even raw, like radishes, the taste is sweetish austere: the use of it makes the urine milky, and produces flatulence. The seeds are bitter and purgative.

Medical Flora, or Manual of the Medical Botany of the United States of North America, Vol. 2, 1830, was written by C. S. Rafinesque.