Burdock

Burdock

Other Names

Burdock is the common name for Arctium lappa.

common burdock
lesser burdock
Gobo
bardana
clotbur
lappa
beggar’s buttons

1,2

What Is It?

Burdock is a common, hardy biennial plant found throughout Europe, northern Asia and North America. 3 Though the roots of the plant are most commonly used for medicinal purposes, all parts of the plant have their recommended uses. Burdock is generally referred to as a “blood purifier,” signifying its purported detoxifying and elimination-enhancing properties. Though burdock is not widely used relative to many other botanicals, it is still employed by some herbalists as a diuretic, as a laxative, for rheumatic complaints, to treat gout, and to relieve various skin problems including eczema, psoriasis, boils and sores. Burdock is also employed as a topical aid for eczema and wounds (leaf contains the antiseptic isochlorogenic acid and the anti-inflammatory taraxasterol. 3,4, 5 Burdock is typically consumed as a tea.

Medicinal History

According to lore, burdock was introduced from Europe to China in ancient times. There herbalists employed burdock to treat respiratory infections, abscesses, and joint pain. Today in the Oriental Materia Medica, burdock is credited with diuretic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. 1,6

In North America, burdock was used by the Cherokee, Malecite, Menominee and Ojibwa tribes for diverse purposes, including as a blood purifier, for rheumatism, as a gynecological aid, for urinary gravel, and to treat venereal diseases. Topically burdock poultices and infusions were applied to sores, boils, and chancres. 7

Burdock was a primary ingredient in the famous Hoxsey cancer treatment. Harry Hoxsey turned a traditional family remedy for cancer into the largest privately owned cancer treatment center in the world, with branches in 17 states. Burdock is also found in the famous herbal cancer remedy Essiac, developed by Marie Caisse. Is there justification for this use? Burdock contains a number of compounds with known anti-cancer activity, including arctigenin, arctiin beta-eudesmol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, inulin, lignin, and trachelogenin. 4

Today in Europe, burdock root shows up in a number of phytomedicines for rheumatic compliants, and skin eruptions. 3

Habitat & Cultivation

Burdock grows profusely throughout Europe, northern Asia and North America. It is cultivated as a vegetable in Japan and in other places as well. The plant is typically harvested whole, and either the entire plant or just the root is dried and used.

How It Works

There is a paucity of good scientific data on burdock. We do know, however, that the plant contains numerous phytochemicals which may account for its various uses.

Burdock is credited with diuretic activity, which may be attributable to caffeic acid.

Burdock’s purported antibacterial properties may be due to acetic acid, arctiopicrin, costic acid, and dehydrocostus-lactone.

Burdock’s purported antifungal properties may be due to acetic acid.

Also, as previously indicated, burdock contains a number of compounds with known anti-cancer activity, including arctigenin, arctiin, beta-eudesmol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, inulin, lignin, and trachelogenin.

Contemporary Uses Approved by Authoritative Bodies

The British Herbal Compendium approves the use of burdock leaf for :

Internally for general cleansing and as a mild diuretic
Topically for general dermatological ailments

The British Herbal Compendium approves the use of burdock root for :

Internally for general cleansing and as a mild diuretic
To relieve skin disorders, rheumatism and gout, when these ailments require improved elimination

Potential Risks

Safety issues and concerns

There are no known safety concerns associated with the use of burdock.

Contraindications – based on conditions and medication intake, etc.

There are no known contraindications for burdock use.

Potentially harmful drug interactions

There are no known harmful drug interactions associated with burdock. However, the compound inulin, which is found in burdock, may reduce blood sugar significantly enough to interact with blood sugar medications. If you are diabetic, consult a physician before using burdock.

Allergy precautions

There are no known allergies to burdock.

Usage Tips

· Sliver and stir-fry whole fresh burdock root, with a bit of garlic and soy sauce.

Boil approximately 2-3 grams dried burdock root per cup of “tea.” Drink three cups daily.
Alternately, steep approximately 2-3 grams whole burdock per cup of “tea.” Drink three cups daily.

3,5,8

Product Choosing/Buying Tips

Select certified organic burdcok root whenever the choice is available.
You can find fresh burdock root in the produce sections of some natural food stores. Use this when you can.

Science Update

Arctiin shows promise in a rat study.

In a 2000 study, Arctiin, a compound extracted from Arctium lappa, demonstrated chemoprotecive power against mammary tumors in developmental stages in rats. 9

References:

1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 2nd ed., (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996). 107-108

2. McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO. American Herbal Products Association’s Herbs of Commerce. Silver Spring, MD: 1^st ed., (American Herbal Products Association. 2000). 179

3. Wichtl M, Bisset NG (eds.). Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Trans from 2^nd

German ed., (Stuttgart: Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers. 1994). 99-101

4. Agricultural Research Service, Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical

Databases. http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/

5. Bown, Deni. The Herb Society Of America Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. (1^st ed., (New York: Dorling Kindersley,1995).

Hsu, H., Oriental Materia Medica 1^st ed. (Keats Publishing, New Canaan, CT1996) 66

7. Moerman, D., Native American Ethnobotany. 1^st ed., (Portland, Oregon Timber Press 1998)

8. Bradley PR (ed.). British Herbal Compendium Volume 1: A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs. 1^st ed., (Dorset, England: British Herbal Medicine Association. 1992). 46-49

9. Hirose M, Yamaguchi T, Lin C, Kimoto N, Futakuchi M, Kono T, Nishibe S, Shirai T. “Effects of arctiin on PhIP-induced mammary, colon and pancreatic carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats and MeIQx-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male F344 rats.”

Cancer Lett 2000 Jul 155:79-88