Health Benefits of Burdock Root (Greater Burdock)

Burdock root (Arctium lappa), also known as greater burdock, is a vegetable native to parts of Asia and Europe. It has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat influenza (flu) and other health conditions. Today, burdock root is still used for treatment because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Burdock root can be consumed raw or cooked. It is also available as a powder or supplement. Consult a registered dietitian (RD) or healthcare provider to determine if it is worth adding to your diet.

Antioxidant Properties

Burdock root has antioxidant effects that help prevent certain chronic diseases and inflammation. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds like quercetin, rutin, and chlorogenic acid make up the majority of the antioxidants in burdock root.

Antioxidants are molecules that keep free radicals from damaging healthy cells. Over time, high concentrations of free radicals in your body can lead to the development of cancer and other chronic health conditions.

Supports Digestive Health

Burdock is rich in prebiotic fibers, including fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin. Prebiotic fibers promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. Researchers found that you absorb the most inulin from consuming burdock root harvested before the plant starts to flower.

Some animal studies have found that burdock root can also improve the health of your gut. Still, more human research is needed to know how effective burdock is on your gut health.

Antibacterial Properties

Burdock has also been studied for its potential to treat helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, which can damage the stomach lining and lead to gastric ulcers and cancer.

One study found that burdock can help heal infections by preventing bacteria from attaching to the stomach lining. The study observed the effect of a mixture of burdock and other Chinese herbal medicines on participants with H. pylori infections. Researchers also noticed an increase in antioxidant levels and a reduction in inflammation in participants.

May Improve Acne

Burdock root contains compounds like inulin, polyacetylenes, and tannin that promote blood circulation to the surface of your skin. This improves how smooth your skin feels and helps to manage acne breakouts. Burdock root's antibacterial properties may also help prevent bacterial build-up underneath your skin.

One small study that tested the effectiveness of burdock root supplements in treating acne vulgaris found participants saw significant improvements in the appearance of acne lesions, but more research is needed to know how consistent burdock root is for acne treatment.

May Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation lasting months to years can increase your risk of chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

A small study found that burdock root tea significantly improved inflammation by reducing oxidative stress in participants with knee osteoarthritis (a condition that affects the joints). In the study, only participants who consumed burdock root tea after a meal experienced decreased oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress occurs when there are too many unstable free radicals and not enough antioxidants to neutralize them, leading to cellular damage that can show up in your body as fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms.

May Improve Heart Health

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in burdock root may improve your blood pressure and cholesterol, two main risk factors for heart disease.

A small study found that consuming burdock root tea three times daily for six weeks significantly improved cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Animal studies have also shown similar results. However, more human research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the full potential of burdock root for heart health.

How To Consume It

Burdock root can be consumed raw, cooked in soups and stir-fries, or steeped in hot water for tea.

Ways you can incorporate burdock into your diet include:

• Enjoy pickled burdock as a snack
• Cut burdock into strips and enjoy in a stir fry
• Sip burdock root tea
• Take supplements of burdock root

Dosage

There is currently no established dosage for consuming raw root. However, it is best to avoid consuming more than the dosage recommended on a bottle of burdock root capsules.

If you are considering burdock root supplements, contact your healthcare provider to ensure that the supplement and dosage are safe and appropriate for you.

Safety

Burdock root is considered safe when eaten raw or cooked. Due to a lack of research on its safety, burdock supplements are not recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or for children of all ages. If you are allergic to daisies, sunflowers, or ragweed, you may experience an allergic reaction to burdock root in all forms.

Potential Drug Interactions

Although more research is needed, burdock root has the potential to interact with the following medications:

• Diuretics (water pills): Burdock may have a diuretic effect, making you pee more frequently. Taking burdock supplements with diuretics like Lasix may increase your risk of dehydration.
• Diabetes medications: Animal studies suggest that burdock root may lower blood sugar. Combining burdock root supplements with medicines to lower blood sugar could potentially lead to hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar levels drop too low, but more human studies are needed. 
• Other herbal supplements: Burdock may cause dehydration when combined with other diuretic herbal supplements, such as dandelion, kava, or juniper berry.

What To Look For

Burdock root comes from a tall plant with large, heart-shaped leaves. The plant typically begins to flower in the second year, producing pink or purple spiky flowers similar to thistles. Burdock has a very long taproot, growing up to several feet underground.

The roots vary in color from beige to brownish green and may be as thin as a pencil or as thick as a carrot. Be cautious of the burdock root you find outside, as it is commonly mistaken for other toxic plant species.

Side Effects

Although burdock root is generally considered safe, some studies have found that burdock root can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), skin rashes, and increased bilirubin levels. Burdock root side effects may vary depending on how you consume it.

People with diabetes may experience elevated blood sugar levels after consuming too much burdock. Although some research shows burdock root may help improve blood sugar, other studies have found that it increases blood sugar levels.

A Quick Review

Burdock root is a plant that can be eaten raw or cooked into dishes. It's also commonly consumed as a tea or in supplement form.

Some studies suggest that burdock may support digestive, heart, and skin health. Still, more research is needed to confirm how effective it is. Consult your healthcare provider before adding burdock root into your diet, especially if you are allergic to other plants.