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Burdock Root

Arctium Lappa is also known as burdock root. It is a vegetable that’s native to northern Asia and Europe, though it now grows in the United States, too. The deep roots of the burdock plant are very long and either brown or nearly black on the outside.

Burdock root has been used for centuries in holistic medicine to treat a variety of different conditions. Traditionally, it was most commonly used as a diuretic and a digestive aid.

Now, researchers have discovered numerous potential uses and health benefits for burdock root. These benefits may be extensive enough to warrant using burdock root as a complementary treatment for certain conditions.

Burdock Root Benefits

1. It’s a powerhouse of antioxidants

Research from 2010 has shown that burdock root contains multiple types of powerful antioxidants, including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids.

Antioxidants protect cells in the body from damage due to free radicals. They can help treat and prevent a number of different health conditions. The antioxidant action helps reduce inflammation. One 2014 study found that burdock root reduced inflammatory markers in the blood for patients with osteoarthritis.

2. It removes toxins from the blood

One of the most common traditional uses for burdock root has been to purify the blood. Recent evidence has found that burdock root can remove toxins from the bloodstream.

A 2011 study found that burdock root effectively detoxified blood and promoted increased circulation.

3. It may inhibit some types of cancer

Burdock root, as it turns out, may not only purify the blood. It may also inhibit certain types of cancer.

The 2011 study also found that burdock seeds had “potent inhibitory effects” on the growth of tumors caused by cancers like pancreatic carcinoma.

Another 2016 study found burdock root significantly interfered with cancer cell growth. While more research is needed to determine the full effects of burdock seeds on different types of cancers and tumors, this is still a significant finding.

4. It may be an aphrodisiac

Another traditional use of burdock root is as an aphrodisiac. A 2012 study on male rats found that the extract of burdock root had an aphrodisiac effect.

The extract enhanced sexual function and increased the amount of sexual behavior in the male rats.

More research is needed on humans, but anecdotal evidence supports this claim.

5. It can help treat skin issues

Burdock root has long been used to treat skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of the root can help resolve skin issues when it’s applied topically to the skin.

One study from 2014 even found evidence that burdock root may help treat topical burns.

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Potential risks and side effects

There’s limited or no research available on the pediatric uses of burdock root, and its safety hasn’t been studied in children. Because of this, you should never give your child burdock root unless under the supervision of a doctor.

Some potential risks of burdock include the following:

• Burdock is considered to be safe to eat, but you should only buy it from reputable sellers and should never collect it in the wild. The Burdock plant resembles belladonna nightshade plants, which are highly toxic. They often grow together.
• If you’re taking burdock supplements, take small doses only in moderation. More research is needed to determine the safety of the supplement.
• Burdock root is a natural diuretic, so you shouldn’t take it if you’re dehydrated. You also shouldn’t take it if you’re also taking other diuretics or water pills, as it can increase dehydration.
• If you’re allergic to chrysanthemums or daisies, you may be at an increased risk of having an allergic reaction to burdock root and should avoid it.
• Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant shouldn’t take burdock root or supplements.

Forms and doses

There are a number of different forms of burdock root available. These include:

• burdock tea
• fresh burdock root
• dried root powder
• burdock oil or burdock extract

Burdock root can be consumed safely in moderation, and you can safely drink one cup of burdock tea a day.

When it comes to supplements, follow your doctor’s instructions and the instructions that come with the supplement. Supplements are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and could have issues with quality, purity, or dosage.

If you’re purchasing extracts, oil, or dried powder, always purchase from a reliable source.

Recipes

Consuming fresh burdock root is healthier and safer than taking supplements. Incorporating burdock root into your diet can be as simple as learning a few new recipes.

To cook burdock root, you’ll first need to peel it. You can then fry, boil, or sauté it. Recipes you can try include:

• Japanese sautéed and braised burdock root
• Pickled burdock
• Kinpira gobo (braised burdock root)