Name: Burdock
Latin Name: Arctium Lappa L
Pin Yin: Niu Bang Zi
Location: Asia and Europe

Overview: Burdock root has been traditionally used as a "blood purifier" to clear the bloodstream of toxins, as a diuretic to promote the excretion of urine, and as a topical remedy to relieve skin problems. In folk medicine, burdock has also been used as a laxative and to relieve inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Plus, there is belief that burdock may be helpful for kidney stones. Many professional herbalists find burdock helpful for skin and scalp conditions and inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Preparations of burdock root are also used to promote perspiration and the excretion of urine and to treat ailments and complaints of the digestive system. Extracts of burdock root are found in a variety of herbal preparations as well as homeopathic remedies.

History: Burdock was formerly listed in the British Pharmaceutical Codex and is widely recorded in most writings on medicinal herbs. In traditional herbal texts, burdock root is described as a “blood purifier” or “alterative” and was believed to clear the bloodstream of toxins. It was used both internally and externally for eczema and psoriasis, as well as to treat painful joints and as a diuretic. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, burdock root in combination with other herbs is used to treat sore throats, tonsillitis, colds, and even measles. In Japan, it is eaten as a vegetable. Burdock root has recently become popular as part of a tea to treat cancer.

Primary Uses:

Parts Used: Burdock seeds have been crushed to make a popular tincture used to purify the blood, to treat gout and ulcers, arthritis, rheumatism, and help with skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. The root has been used as a popular anti-cancer remedy, and to be an effective aphrodisiac, useful in treating impotence and sterility. The leaves are an excellent tonic for the stomach, especially for ulcers and indigestion problems generally.

Safety: Some individuals who handle burdock may experience an irritation of the skin. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid burdock as it may cause damage to the fetus.

Note: Because the roots of Burdock closely resemble those of Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna), there is a risk that burdock preparations may be contaminated with these potentially dangerous herbs. Be sure to buy products made by established companies with good reputations, and who distribute their products through trustworthy and knowledgeable establishments. Whenever possible, select products with guaranteed potency or standardized extracts.

Supporting Research:

• Great burdock did not affect the parameters of glucose homeostasis in a 28-day study on mice, whereas a couple of other traditional treatments from folklore did exhibit some effect in this study. After administration of streptozotocin, burdock aggravated the diabetic condition stimulated by that agent. It is noted in the same study that guayusa (Ilex guayusa) and cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) did exhibit intriguing effects against important signals of diabetes.¹
• Animal data: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice given burdock experienced aggravation of hyperglycemia. However, studies in non-diabetic rats indicate some hypoglycemic effects²

¹Swanston-Flatt Sk Day C Flatt Pr Could BJ Bailey CJ, [Glycaemic Efficts of Traditional European Plant Treatments for Diabetes. Studies], In Normal And Streptozotocin Diabetic Mice, Diabetes Res (1989 Feb) 10(2): 69-73.

²Lapinina L, Sisoeva T. Investigation of some plants to determine their sugar lowering action. Farmatsevt 1964; 19:52-8.