Scientific Name: Burdock
Other Names: Arctium Radix, Arctium lappa, Arctium minus, Bardana, Beggar's Buttons, Clotbur, Gobo, Personata, Thorny Burr

Who is this for?

Uses

Note: Cases of poisoning have been reported from burdock root products that were mixed unintentionally with the roots of belladonna or deadly nightshade. All three plants look similar and they may grow in the same general environments. Their roots may be impossible to tell apart once they have been collected. Individuals who choose to use burdock root should be sure that it is from a reputable source.

Burdock root has been found to contain chemicals that are diuretic—they promote the loss of water from the body. When taken by mouth, burdock root may increase the production of both urine and sweat, potentially making it useful in treating swelling and fever. However, drugs that are much more effective are available for both uses.

In a few animal studies, burdock root appeared to prevent liver damage caused by alcohol, chemicals, or medications. The exact reason for this protective effect is not known, but it is thought to involve opposition of a chemical process called oxidation, which occurs in the body. One result of oxidation is the release of oxygen free radicals, natural chemicals that may suppress immune function. Antioxidants such as burdock root may protect body cells from damage caused by oxidation.

Both orally and topically, burdock root preparations have mild antibacterial and antifungal effects, which may help to relieve skin conditions such as acne, athlete’s foot, dandruff, diaper rash, dry skin, and eczema. It may have uses in dentistry to control bacteria in the mouth. Although burdock root is most commonly used for medicine, burdock leaf juice or tea made from burdock leaves may also contain chemicals with slightly anti-infective effects. Burdock leaf preparations may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin to treat skin conditions. Interestingly, the antibacterial chemicals in burdock leaves appear to be effective against different types of bacteria than the chemicals in the roots. Frequently, therefore, burdock leaf juice and burdock root tea are mixed together in order to eliminate as many bacteria as possible.

In North America, burdock root is mixed with three other herbs (slippery elm bark, sheep sorrel, and Turkish rhubarb root) to make an herbal product known as Essiac. Said to be based on a Native American remedy, this trademarked preparation was used in the 1920s to treat cancer. Some laboratory studies suggest that Essiac may have antioxidant effects and that it may damage cancer cells. No documented scientific evidence from human studies support its effectiveness in any medical condition, although many individuals still use it to treat cancer and other conditions.

Precautions

Not enough is known about burdock to determine its possible effects on developing babies or infants whose mothers are breast feeding. Although no problems have been reported in humans, pregnant and breast-feeding women may want to avoid eating large amounts of burdock or taking burdock supplements.

Burdock belongs to the same family of plants that also includes chrysanthemums, daisies, and ragweed. Individuals who are sensitive to any of these types of plants may also be sensitive to burdock. Additionally, the rough, prickly burrs from burdock may irritate the skin.

Burdock root appears to be safe, even when consumed in large amounts as a vegetable. However, it looks very similar to the roots of belladonna and deadly nightshade, two poisonous plants that may grow in the same areas as burdock. Accidental inclusion of these poisons in burdock root products has resulted in deaths. Individuals who decide to use burdock root should purchase it from a reputable commercial source. Roots should not be harvested from wild burdock plants.

What side effects should I watch for?

No side effects have been associated with using burdock. Since few reliable studies of its use have been conducted in humans, however, it may have side effects that are not yet known. If you experience unexplained side effects while taking burdock, you should stop taking it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects.

What interactions should I watch for?

No interactions between burdock and prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, other herbal products, or foods have been reported. However, because few reliable studies of burdock have been conducted in humans, its possible interactions are not understood completely.

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how burdock interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Burdock is a familiar nuisance in nearly any type of open land. A hardy plant, burdock is believed to have spread from Asia through Europe and into most temperate climates. It is a biennial, which means it takes 2 years to reach maturity. During the first year, burdock forms a "rosette" or a cluster of large dark green leaves close to the ground. In the second spring, a woody central stem bearing shorter branches develops. Mature burdock plants may reach 10 feet tall. Stringy bunches of pink to purple flowers resembling small clover flowers appear on the branches during the summer. Blooming on short stems that are not attached to the leaves, burdock flowers become the barbed burrs that may stick on animal fur or human clothing to spread the plant's many seeds. Burrs may remain on the dead plants for years.

In Japan and parts of Eastern Europe, burdock is cultivated extensively as a vegetable. Leaves from the first year plants may be cooked like spinach and first-year stems may be peeled and steamed like asparagus. It is the roots, however, that are used most as food and medicine. Similar in shape and size to large, carrots, each burdock root may weigh a pound or more. For food, roots are harvested when the plant has been growing for 4 months to 6 months. After their brownish or grayish colored skins are removed, the white roots are eaten fresh or cooked in many of the same ways that potatoes are used. For use in medicine, roots are allowed to grow up to 2 years. Collected only after the stem appears, burdock roots for medicinal use are washed thoroughly, sometimes sliced, and then dried.

Dosage and Administration

As a food, burdock leaves, stems, or roots have been eaten in large quantities and for long periods with no apparent side effects. For supplemental dosing of burdock, available oral dosage forms include not only juice made from the leaves, but also capsules, tablets, extracts, and tinctures made from the roots. Extracts are concentrated liquid preparations usually made by soaking chopped or mashed plant parts in a liquid such as alcohol, and then straining out the solid parts. Tinctures are less concentrated than extracts, but they are prepared in similar ways. Recommended doses vary, so the directions on the package that is purchased should be followed by individuals who decide to take burdock as an herbal supplement.

Tea may be made by soaking about one teaspoonful of chopped, dried burdock root in 8 ounces of cold water for 5 hours to 6 hours, then boiling the water and straining out the solid particles before drinking the liquid. This tea may be cooled and used on the skin as a wash, as well. Be aware, however, that burdock root closely resembles the roots of belladonna and deadly nightshade, two poisonous plants that may grow in the same areas as burdock. Reports of serious illnesses and deaths have been reported from burdock root products that were contaminated with belladonna or deadly nightshade. To avoid the possibility of contamination, burdock root products should be purchased from reliable companies and not collected from wild plants.

Summary

Burdock has weak anti-infective and diuretic effects, but other products are more effective for both actions. A possible protective effect of burdock on liver cells needs more research.

Risks

Rarely, burdock root has been found to be contaminated with poisonous material from other plants. Such adulterated products have caused severe illness and death.

Pregnant women should avoid burdock due to a slight potential for causing uterine tightening that could lead to miscarriage. Individuals with allergies to plants in the daisy family should avoid touching burdock.

Side Effects

No side effects have been attributed to burdock.

Interactions

Burdock does not appear to interact with drugs, other herbals, or other foods. Not all its possible interactions may be known, however.

Last Revised August 2, 2007

References

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Anon. Common Burdock. In: A Guide to Weeds in British Columbia, First Edition. British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The Province of British Columbia; 2002.

Awale S, Lu J, Kalauni SK, et al. Identification of arctigenin as an antitumor agent having the ability to eliminate the tolerance of cancer cells to nutrient starvation. Cancer Research. 2006;66(3):1751-1757.

Burgmans J. Burdock: an Asian/European herb. New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited. Updated April 1996. Available at: http://www.crop.cri.nz/psp/broadshe/burdock.htm. Accessed September 3, 2003.

Cheung S, Lim KT, Tai J. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ESSIAC and Flor-Essence. Oncology Report. 2005;14(5):1345-1350.

Fletcher GF, Cantwell JD. Burdock root tea poisoning [letter]. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1978;240(15):1586.

Gentil M, Pereira JV, Sousa YT, et al. In vitro evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Arctium lappa as a phytotherapeutic agent used in intracanal dressings. Phytotherapy Research. 2006;20(3):184-186.

Hirono I, Mori H, Kato K, Ushimaru Y, Kato T, Haga M. Safety examination of some edible plants, Part 2. Journal of Environmental Pathology and Toxicology. 1978;1(1):71-74.

Holetz FB, Pessini GL, Sanches NR, Cortez DA, Nakamura CV, Filho BP. Screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2002;97(7):1027-1031.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

Leonard SS, Keil D, Mehlman T, Proper S, Shi X, Harris GK. Essiac tea: scavenging of reactive oxygen species and effects on DNA damage. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2006;103(2):288-296.

Lin SC, Chung TC, Lin CC, Ueng TH, Lin YH, Lin SY, Wang LY. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2000;28(2):163-173.

Lin SC, Lin CH, Lin CC, Lin YH, Chen CF, Chen IC, Wang LY. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa Linne on liver injuries induced by chronic ethanol consumption and potentiated by carbon tetrachloride. Journal of Biomedical Science. 2002;9(5):401-409.

Lin CC, Lu JM, Yang JJ, Chuang SC, Ujiie T. Anti-inflammatory and radical scavenge effects of Arctium lappa. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1996;24(2):127-137.

Matsumoto T, Hosono-Nishiyama K, Yamada H. Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of butyrolactone lignans from Arctium lappa on leukemic cells. Planta Medica. 2006;72(3):276-278.

MedLine Plus. Essiac. September 1, 2005. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-essiac.html. Accessed June 8, 2006.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Online Edition. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2006. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsletter.com/(S(ulqz3s45omt3ag55um4kj345))/home.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND.

Pereira JV, Bergamo DC, Pereira JO, França Sde C, Pietro RC, Silva-Sousa YT. Antimicrobial activity of Arctium lappa constituents against microorganisms commonly found in endodontic infections. Brazilian Dental Journal. 2005;16(3):192-196.

Rhoads PM, Tong TG, Banner W Jr, Anderson R. Anticholinergic poisonings associated with commercial burdock root tea. Journal of Toxicology and Clinical Toxicology. 1984-85;22(6):581-584.

Zick SM, Sen A, Feng Y, Green J, Olatunde S, Boon H. Trial of Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer (TEA-BC). Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine. 2006;12(10):971-980.

Last Revised August 2, 2007

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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