Burdock root is a taproot of greater burdock plant, used as a vegetable and medicinal herb. Greater burdock plant is a short biennial, which believed to be native to Northern Europe and Siberia. In Japan, popular as gobo, it is cultivated as a major root herb since ancient times. However, burdock grows as a wild plant almost in many parts of the planet as easy growing hardy plant.
Botanically, burdock belongs to the family of Asteraceae; of the genus of Arctium and known scientifically as Arctium lappa.
Greater burdock plant grows to about a meter in height. It features broad heart-shaped coarse leaves like rhubarb that are deep green on the top and light green on the underside. In summer, thick hairy stems, about 5 feet in height, bear reddish purple tubular flowers which consequently turn into seed-heads or burrs with hooked spines. The deep taproots which may measure about 2-3 feet long are slender, shaped like carrot and parsnip, are brown with white flesh.

Of the four species of Arctium only greater burdock (A. lappa) and lesser burdock (A. minus) are cultivated for their herbal parts. In general, the roots are unearthed in the fall, slow dried and stored for use in winter. The burdock root has the flavour that resembles sweet taste of jerusalem artichokes or parsnips, has crispy texture with gummy consistency.

Almost all the parts of the plant are being used either for culinary purpose or as curative remedy for certain medical conditions.

Health benefits

Burdock roots, young shoots, peeled stalks, and dried seeds contain numerous compounds that are known to have anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

The root is very low in calories; provides about 72 calories per 100 g. Burdock is very good source of many non-starch polysaccharides such as inulin, glucoside-lappin, mucilage...etc that help act as good laxative. In addition, inulin acts as prebiotic helps reduce blood sugar level, weight and cholesterol levels in the blood.

Burdock root is especially containing good amounts of electrolyte potassium (308 mg or 6.5% of daily-required levels per 100 g root) and low in sodium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

It also contains some valuable minerals such as iron, manganese, magnesium; and small amounts of zinc, calcium, selenium, and phosphorus.

This herb root contains small quantities of many vital vitamins including folic acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, vitamin-E, and vitamin-C that are essential for optimum health. Both vitamin C and E is powerful natural antioxidants help body stave off infections, cancer and neurologic conditions.

Medicinal uses

Like its asteraceae family member dandelion, almost all the parts of burdock herb found place in various traditional as well modern medicines.

Burdock has been used in many folk remedies as one of the best blood purifiers. It contains certain diuretic principles, which help expel toxic products from the blood through urine.

The herb is employed in the treatment of skin problems such as eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, skin dryness...etc. The plant parts have been used as herbal remedy for liver and gall bladder complaints.

Effusion of burdock seeds has been used for throat and chest ailments.

Burdock leaves and stems, in addition to their use as vegetable, have appetite stimulant and are a good remedy for dyspeptic complaints.

Blood Pressure: One of the aspects of burdock that doesn’t get enough attention is its impressive ability to lower blood pressure. The plant’s high concentration of potassium, a vasodilator, helps to relieve tension within the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and arteries, thereby helping to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Digestive Issues: The most well-known use of burdock is as a digestive aid for many different reasons. Firstly, the high concentration of fibres in burdock help to stimulate the digestive system and move food smoothly through the bowels, relieving constipation and preventing bloating, cramping, and ulcers. Inulin, a particular type of fibre found in burdock, is able to reduce inflammation in the gut and eliminate many types of harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal problems.

Diabetes: Although all types of fibre are able to help regulate the balance of insulin and glucose in the body, inulin is particularly effective and has been directly connected to reducing the development and severity of diabetes and diabetes-related symptoms. The significant levels of insulin in burdock can also lower overall blood cholesterol by eliminating it from the body, thereby further protecting your cardiovascular system.

Detoxify the Liver: The same chemicals that give burdock its bitter taste stimulate bile production and digestive juices in the gut, which helps the liver more rapidly process toxins and flush them from the system. Clearing toxins from the blood is one of the main purposes of the liver, and burdock’s organic compounds and components have been directly linked to improving this function.

Skin Health: One of the most common side effects of constipation, high toxicity in the blood, or poor dietary habits is skin inflammation, manifesting as spots, pimples, acne, rashes, or discoloration. Many herbalists recommend burdock root supplements and herbs for the treatment of skin conditions, as this powerful herb can solve the underlying problems of toxicity or constipation in a fast and efficient way, leading to clearer, healthier skin.

Hormonal Balance: Having a hormonal disorder can be destructive and difficult for your life. To avoid that, you want to add foods and herbs that can regulate hormonal activity in the body. Burdock is able to help the liver metabolize certain hormones, like estragon, which can help to rebalance the body’s hormonal levels to normalcy. Excess estragon is the cause of many dangerous or even deadly hormonal disorders, so adding some burdock root to your weekly diet is never a bad idea!

Immune Health: The significant levels of vitamin C and vitamin E, both of which act as antioxidants in the body to eliminate free radicals, mean that burdock is a major booster to our immune system function. These antioxidants have been linked to preventing infections, lowering one’s risk of cancer, and generally supporting proper growth, development, and repair of the body’s cells and tissues.

A Final Word of Warning: Although this is somewhat rare, there are limited allergies to burdock, so be sure to consult a doctor before adding it to your health regimen. Also, for those people using potassium-sparing diuretic therapy, eating too much burdock (with its significant levels of potassium) may aggravate the system and result in potassium toxicity. As always, everything should be consumed in moderation.