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Burdock, Arctium lappa. Botanical plate: The American Flora. Vol. 1, 1855 - pl. 21 Arctium lappa, Hypericum perforatum (6021776021)
Plate: The American Flora. Vol. 1, 1855 - pl. 21 Arctium lappa, Hypericum perforatum (6021776021). AnonymousUnknown author [illustrator not stated, no signature]. Public domain.

Burdock

Arctium lappa · 牛蒡子

Herbs & Roots. Western & European, Chinese Medicine and Dr. Sebi's list.

Also called Gobo, Greater burdock, Beggar's buttons, Niu bang zi

Pinyin: Niú Bàng Zǐ

Spanish: Bardana

Allergy risk (daisy family)

Burdock is a large thistle-like plant whose root is eaten as a vegetable in Japan and used in folk medicine for skin problems.

Did you know? The hooked burrs of burdock inspired Swiss engineer George de Mestral to invent Velcro in the 1940s, after burrs stuck to his clothes and his dog's fur.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

  • Skin. Used in folk medicine for acne, eczema, and boils, but only lab and animal studies exist so far.
    Traditional proof
  • Sore throat & cough. Chinese medicine uses the seed for sore throat, but there are no good human trials.
    Traditional proof
  • Cleansing & detox. Often sold as a blood cleanser, and no good evidence supports that idea.
    Not supported

Parts of the body

Skin & hair, Mouth & throat, Lungs, Liver, Kidneys & bladder

Traditional use

Western herbalists used burdock for skin problems and as a blood cleansing tonic. In Chinese medicine, the seed, niu bang zi, is used for sore throat and skin rashes.

How it is classified

Herbal actions
Alterative, Diuretic, Bitter. Energy: cooling.
Chinese medicine
牛蒡子 Release the exterior. Nature: cold. Flavour: pungent, bitter. Enters the Lung and Stomach channels.

How people take it

The dried root is simmered as tea, and the fresh root is eaten as a vegetable. Tinctures and capsules are sold, but no standard dose has been proven.

Decoction, tea, tincture, capsule and food.

Where to get it

Grows wild in Europe, Asia, and North America along roadsides and fields, and is grown for food in Japan. Sold as dried root, tea, tinctures, and capsules, and the seed is sold in Chinese herb shops.

Be careful

High amounts can cause mild stomach upset. People allergic to ragweed or other daisy-family plants may react. Burdock may lower blood sugar and act as a mild diuretic, so check with a doctor if you take diabetes medicine or water pills.

Avoid if: ragweed allergy; pregnancy; diabetes medicines.

Mixing with other things

  • Works well together

    Both appear in old spring tonic and blood-cleansing teas.

  • Works well together

    Traditionally paired in folk alterative blends.

  • Works well together

    Both are in the Essiac tea blend. Neither has proof for cancer.

  • Use caution
    Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)

    Animal data suggest burdock can lower blood sugar, so it may add to diabetes medicines.

  • Worth knowing
    Water pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)

    Burdock has mild diuretic effects that could add to water pills.

Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.

Found in these formulas

Honeysuckle & Forsythia (TCM), Essiac tea (Native), Sea moss trio (Dr. Sebi)

The honest take

Burdock is a real food with some lab evidence for skin and antioxidant effects, but human trials are few and small. The idea that it cleanses the blood has no good evidence behind it. The seed used in Chinese medicine has not been well tested in people.