Burdock

Scientific Name(S): Arctium lappa L. (Synonymous with A Majus Bernh, great burdock as well as A munus Bernh., lesser burdock.) Family: Asteraceae or Compositae.

Common Name(S): Bardana, beggar's buttons, clotbur, edible burdock, great bur, great burdocks, lappa

Burdock refers to any of a group of biennial thistles in the genus Arctium , family Asteraceae. Common Burdock ( A. minus ) grows wild throughout most of North America , Europe and Asia .

Plants of the genus Arctium have dark green leaves that can grow up to 18" (45 cm) long. They are generally large, coarse and ovate, with the lower ones being heart-shaped. They are woolly underneath. The leafstalks are generally hollow. Arctium species generally flower from July through October.

The root pieces are used in teas and are very hard, minimally fibrous, longitudinally wrinkled and grayish brown to balck in color.

History: In traditional medicine, the fruits (seeds), roots and leaves of burdock have been used as decoctions or teas for a wide range of ailments including colds, catarrh, gout, rheumatism, stomach ailments, cancers and as a diuretic, diaphoretic and laxative. It has even been promoted as an aphrodisiac. Externally, it has been used for various skin problems.

Uses of Burdock

Treatment of fever, infection, cancer, fluid retention and kidney stones. Effectiveness and safety for these have not been adequately evaluated. In addition, burdock has been used topically to cleanse the skin and treat dandruff.

Side Effects of Burdock

Oral: Root tea poisoning due to extraneous atropine (blurred vision, headache, drowsiness, slurred speech, loss of coordination, incoherent speech, restlessness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, seizures, disorientation, flushing, dryness of mouth and nose, rash, lack of sweating, fever). Topical: Allergic skin irritation.

Dosage and Administration

Herbalists recommend 2-4 ml of burdock root tincture daily. For the dried root preparation in capsule form, some herbalists recommend 1-2 grams three times daily. Many herbal preparations combine burdock root with other alternative "blood cleansing" herbs, such as cleavers, red clover, or yellow dock.

Toxicology: While burdock is generally considered a safe and edible food product, a few reports have appeared on burdock root tea poisoning due to adulteration (subsequently shown to be extraneous atropine), and allergic contact dermatitis due to burdock.

Summary: Burdock root is generally considered an edible food product with some potential medical benefits as a mild diuretic, diaphoretic, antipyretic, antimicrobial and possible antitumor product. Many of the recent chemical and pharmacological studies verify some of these activities. Further investigations are warranted, particularly as a potential medical food or nutraceutical.