Burdock
A nutritive alterative traditionally used to support liver and kidney function, clear chronic skin conditions, restore lymphatic and metabolic balance, and gently eliminate waste through the skin, bowels, and kidneys.
Arctium derives from the Greek arktos (“bear”), referring to the rough, bristly texture of the burrs. Lappa comes from the Greek lambanein (“to seize”), indicating the clinging habit of the hooked fruits. The common name “burdock” combines bur—from Latin burra, meaning a tuft of wool, describing how the burrs tangle in animal fleece—and dock, referring to the plant’s large leaves.
Burdock root supports liver function, enhancing the metabolism of proteins and fats, and acts as a long-term alterative for chronic skin conditions such as acne, boils, eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis, partly by lowering elevated IgE levels and moderating inflammation. It provides gentle support for chronic intestinal Candida infections when used fresh, as the antifungal properties are diminished in the dried root. Research notes that burdock root may inhibit tumor-promoting activity of the Epstein-Barr virus and exert cytostatic effects on certain cancer cell lines. The roasted root can be blended with roasted dandelion or chicory as a caffeine-free coffee substitute, and fresh grated root has drawing properties helpful for boils, abscesses, acne, and inflamed skin; topical washes and compresses soothe eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff. Burdock seed enhances sodium excretion through the kidneys, reducing edema, premenstrual water retention, and breast tenderness associated with fibrocystic breast tissue, and can be used with other herbs for sodium-related hypertension; it is a long-term tonic for gout, arthritis, kidney stones, and moist, inflamed skin conditions. Burdock leaf eases digestive inflammation and can be applied topically to soothe burns, scalds, sunburns, skin irritation, rashes, and poison oak reactions.
In Europe, burdock decoctions were used for scurvy, boils, and rheumatic conditions. Seeds were believed to influence sebaceous and sweat glands due to their oily nature and were used to improve skin texture. Leaves were sometimes chewed to ease stomach discomfort.
A robust biennial herb reaching 1–2.5 meters, forming a first-year basal rosette with large, cordate leaves and producing a tall, branched flowering stalk in the second year. Stems are stout, grooved, and coarsely pubescent. Basal leaves are large (30–50 cm), ovate to broadly heart-shaped, with entire or wavy margins; the upper surface is green and sparsely hairy, while the underside is densely gray-tomentose. Inflorescences are branched corymbs or panicles of 2–4 cm capitula containing numerous purple to reddish-violet tubular disk florets and no ray florets. The involucre bears overlapping bracts tipped with hooked apices that form clinging burrs. Fruits are compressed, ribbed achenes (5–6 mm) crowned with a short, rough pappus.
May cause allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to the Asteraceae family. The burrs can irritate skin and hair.
Fresh roots 1:2–1:3 (50% glycerin : 50% ethanol)
Dose: 15–60 drops up to 3× daily
Fresh roots 1:2–1:3 in apple cider vinegar
Dose: 1 teaspoon–1 tablespoon up to 3× daily
May also be used culinarily or as pickled burdock.
Decoction of roots or hot infusion/decoction of seeds
Dose: 8–12 ounces up to 3× daily
Honey, syrups, topical compresses and poultices, succus, capsules, and culinary preparations (roasted or sautéed root).
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, and all relevent CSHS lectures.