Burdock Root Detoxes Blood, Lymph System & Skin

Burdock root has been valued across continents for thousands of years for its ability to purify blood and cool internal heat. Internally and externally, it has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects on the human body.

It also contains phenolic acids, quercetin and luteolin, which are all powerful, health-promoting antioxidants.

Similar to dandelion tea (elixir), you can make burdock root tea (elixir), and it can also be found in supplement form or be eaten as a vegetable. What does it taste like? Burdock has a pleasantly crunchy texture and an earthy, sweet flavor that’s similar to lotus root or celeriac.

Read on to find out just how awesome burdock root truly is, including the medicinal uses of burdock in treating serious chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.

What Is Burdock Root?

Burdock root (genus Arctium) is a genus of biennial plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that’s native to Northern Asia and Europe. It’s now found throughout the U.S. as well, where it grows as a weed.

In Japan, it’s often called gobo root and is cultivated as a vegetable.

Burdock has large, heart-shaped leaves and bright pink-red to purple thistle-like flowers. It also has burrs that can stick to clothing or animal fur.

The deep roots of the burdock plant are brownish-green or nearly black on the outside.

Burdock root is a slender, brown-skinned root vegetable that typically grows to be more than two feet in length. It consists primarily of carbohydrates, volatile oils, plant sterols, tannins and fatty oils.

Burdock root is not new to natural medicine. It has been used for thousands of years in Asia and Europe — and more recently in North America.

In Japan, it’s a largely consumed vegetable, typically eaten fresh or cooked, and the young leaves can also be cooked like any other vegetable.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, burdock fruit has been used for thousands of years. It’s typically associated with the lung and stomach meridians, is known to cool internal heat, and is commonly used for supporting skin health.

In European folk medicine, an infusion of the seeds was often employed as a diuretic, enhancing health by supporting the processes of digestion and elimination. It was also commonly used as a scalp treatment to help prevent hair loss and get rid of dandruff.

What’s the difference between burdock root and dandelion root? Both are members of the Asteraceae plant family and have been used in their entirety for traditional as well modern medicine for years.

Both burdock root and dandelion are excellent for diabetes and skin conditions. They’re also natural diuretics that are loaded with antioxidants.

Dandelion is specifically excellent at cleansing the liver and protecting the bones, while burdock is an amazing blood cleanser, which also makes it very helpful to liver health.

Burdock is also helpful for bones, particularly osteoarthritis. Dandelion is high in fiber as well as vitamins A, C and K, while burdock is equally high in fiber as well as vitamin B6, potassium and magnesium.

By Annie Price, CHHC