There’s lots of buzz about the potential health and wellness benefits of burdock root, whether that’s in form of a tea you steep yourself at home or supplements you grab at a health food store. When you dig into this topic online, you’ll find that burdock root has been credited with helping a wide — and somewhat incredible — range of physical problems, from pimples to cancer. Not all of these claims are backed up by credible studies, however. So we looked into the research to answer the top questions about the health benefits of burdock root.
What is burdock root and what does it do for your body?
The burdock plant first grew in Europe and Asia, but is now also commonly found in the United States. A tall plant with sticky fruit covered in burrs, it has thick roots that have been used to treat various ailments by traditional wellness practitioners, including those who practice Chinese medicine (TCM). And in case you’re not familiar with TCM: According to the National Institutes of Health, TCM has been used for thousands of years and is based on the belief that the body’s vital energy flows along meridians in the body, keeping everything – the physical, emotional, and spiritual – in balance. Burdock root is just one of many herbal and plant remedies utilized by TCM practitioners.
Suggested and potential health benefits of burdock root:
- Fiber: Burdock root is a good source of a fiber called inulin. “Inulin is a naturally occurring prebiotic fiber found in certain plant foods,” says Stefani Sassos, RD, deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Nutrition Lab. “It has a variety of digestive benefits including alleviating constipation and increasing helpful bacteria in the colon. Other foods besides burdock that contain inulin include asparagus, bananas, chicory, garlic, and Jerusalem artichokes.”
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial: TCM and other alternative practitioners sometimes use burdock root as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial treatment. According to research published in 2010, the leaves and roots of burdock contained quercetin and luteolin (both plant flavonoids with anti-inflammatory effects), and phenolic acids (a type of phytochemical). A very small study of 36 adults with knee osteoarthritis found that those who were treated with burdock root tea had less inflammation and oxidative stress. A research paper published in 2014 showed that burdock root extract might be effective against urinary tract infections, though it was a lab study (not on humans) and more research is needed.
- TCM has long emphasized the importance of “cleansing” the blood — promoting blood circulation and removing toxins that aren’t expelled via waste processes — and naturopaths and other alternative providers often use burdock root in “detox” treatments. Western scientific research hasn’t supported the need for this, and generally, the medical establishment feels that the liver and kidneys do a fine job of removing toxins from the body.
- You may read online that burdock has anti-cancer properties. Research from 2006 focused on medicinal plants and their potential for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, and found that in the lab, elements of burdock showed promise. A 2018 laboratory study, also involving traditional Chinese medicine, found that an active natural ingredient in burdock seeds, arctigenin, has the potential to inhibit the growth of certain tumors. Further research is certainly needed.
- Improve acne and eczema: A very small study on a homeopathic treatment with burdock found positive results in inflammatory-type acne. And a 2010 review of TCM research found that burdock “cured” skin diseases like eczema, though it’s unclear from the research abstract how big those studies were and what form the treatment took. According to dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, “If there is benefit, it hasn’t been proven on a scale large enough to have it integrated into the standard therapeutic ladder for eczema.”
- Aphrodisiac: You may have read online that burdock root could boost a man’s performance in the bedroom. Well, keep in mind that this thinking is based on research done on male rats — and only 15 of those rats were given extract of burdock. Yes, they got frisky with their female counterparts, but not as frisky as those rodents who were given Viagra. So …. take this with a grain of salt.
What are the risks and side effects of taking burdock root?
Experts say that burdock can bring on allergic reactions like dermatitis in people who have a sensitivity to ragweed, daisies and chrysanthemums; it can cause other side effects as well, including those in people who are taking certain medications, such as blood thinners. If you’re interested in taking it in supplement form, know that overall, the supplement industry isn’t well-regulated and quality control may be questionable, depending on the company. According to Mt. Sinai Health System, a particular concern with burdock is that the plant’s roots look a lot like those of belladonna (or deadly nightshade), which means that if the company making the supplement — or any product containing burdock — isn’t reputable, there’s a chance there could be contamination with these dangerous plants. When taking any supplement, it’s a smart idea to do some digging to make sure the company has a good record of quality control, and talk to a medical professional.
Who should not take burdock root?
Consider the potential risks above when thinking about whether to treat a condition with burdock. For instance, since it’s a natural diuretic, it’s best to skip it if you’re taking other diuretics to avoid becoming dehydrated, or if you’re otherwise at risk for dehydration. According to Mt. Sinai, people who have diabetes should be cautious because the root can lower one’s blood sugar. And importantly, if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, definitely avoid taking any form of burdock, including tea and supplements. Also, burdock might slow blood clotting, so any use of it should be stopped at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
How often should you take burdock root?
Since there isn’t established information about the best dosage for burdock root, Mt. Sinai suggests talking to a reputable healthcare practitioner about how often and how much to use it.
A note about burdock root tea:
There are many different recipes online for making burdock root tea. Some of them start with fresh burdock root, which often can be purchased at Asian or health food markets. Others use dried root, and there are also various pre-made spice mixes available. With these, the same warning as the one above for supplements applies: Since the industry isn’t regulated, there’s no telling how much burdock root these contain, and no established dosage or efficacy information.
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