Burdock

Related Terms

Akujitsu, anthraxivore, arctigenin, arctii, arctiin, arctiol, Arctium lappa Linn?, Arctium minus, Arctium tomentosa, Arctium tomentosum Mill., Asteraceae (family), balm, bardana, Bardanae radix, bardane, bardane grande (French), beggar's buttons, burdock root, burr, burr seed, carbohydrate inulin, chin, clot-burr, clotbur, cockle button, cocklebur, cocklebuttons, Compositae (family), cuckold, daiki kishi, daucosterol, edible burdock, fatty oils, fox's clote, fukinanolide, fukinone, grass burdock, great bur, great burdock, great burdocks, gobo (Japan), grosse Klette (German), happy major, hardock, hare burr, hurrburr, Kletterwurzel (German), lampazo (Spanish), lappaol, lappola, lignin, love leaves, neoarctin, niu bang zi, oil of lappa, mataresinol, personata, petastilone, Philanthropium, polyacetylonenes, polysaccharides/mucilages (xyloglucan), sequisterpene lactones, sterols, sulfur-containing polyacetylenes, tannins, thorny burr, turkey burrseed, volatile oils, wild gobo, woo-bang-ja.
Combination product example: Essiac? (Resperin Canada Limited, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada), a blend of at least four herbs (burdock root [Arctium lappa], Indian rhubarb [Rheum palmatum], sheep sorrel [Rumex acetosella], and the inner bark of slippery elm [Ulmus fulva or U. rubra]).

Background

Burdock has historically been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, hair loss, inflammation, and wrinkles. It is a main herbal ingredient in the popular cancer remedies Essiac? (also containing rhubarb, sorrel, and slippery elm) and Hoxsey formula (also containing red clover, poke, prickly ash, bloodroot, and barberry).
Burdock fruit has been found to lower blood sugar in animals, and early human studies have examined burdock root for diabetes. Nonhuman studies have explored the use of burdock for bacterial infections, cancer, HIV, and kidney stones. There is currently not enough evidence to support burdock for effectively treating any disease.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Research suggests possible blood sugar-lowering effects of burdock root or fruit. Additional well-designed studies are needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests possible blood sugar-lowering effects of burdock root or fruit. Additional well-designed studies are needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that burdock may have anticancer effects. Burdock is an ingredient in the popular purported cancer remedy Essiac?. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that burdock may have anticancer effects. Burdock is an ingredient in the popular purported cancer remedy Essiac?. More research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
No specific dose of burdock has been proven effective or safe, although a range of doses and types of preparations have been used. Dosing regimens are based on traditional health practice patterns, expert opinion, and anecdote. Reliable human trials demonstrating safety or efficacy from a particular dose are lacking.
Burdock as a cracker or dried root has been taken by mouth. Two 425-475 milligram burdock capsules have been taken by mouth three times daily. A decoction of 2-6 grams of dried burdock root or 500 milliliters of a decoction (1:20) has been taken by mouth daily. As an alcohol extract, 1-12 milliliters (1:5 or 1:10 in 25% or 45% alcohol) has been taken by mouth up to three times daily. As a fluid extract, 2-8 milliliters (1:1 in 25% alcohol) has been taken by mouth three times daily. As a root tea, one teaspoon or 2-6 grams of dried burdock root has been boiled in water up to three times daily.
Burdock has been used as a diuretic (to increase urine flow), with preparations from powdered burdock seeds made into a yellow product called oil of lappa.
Burdock has been used on the skin as a compress or plaster for inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis), baldness, and warts.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Burdock may alter blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also alter blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Burdock may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Because burdock contains estrogen-like chemicals, the effects of other agents believed to have estrogen-like properties may be altered.
Burdock may also interact with agents for cancer, inflammation, or gout; agents for HIV; agents for the heart; agents that increase urination; antibiotics; disulfiram (Antabuse?); hormonal agents; and metronidazole (Flagyl?).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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