Burdock can be taken in several different forms--as a capsule, in a tincture, as a tablet, as a dried root and as a tea. Like many herbal remedies, burdock root has more historical than current medical relevance because of a lack of scientific study to confirm its purported benefits. Burdock root tea, made hot or iced, is a generally safe way to consume this herb.
The Facts
Burdock tea is a beverage made by steeping 2 to 6g of powdered or sliced burdock root in about 2 cups of boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes. According to MedLine Plus, the online health information resource published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, burdock tea's diuretic effects have made it an historical treatment for health conditions including arthritis, diabetes and hair loss.
Identification
Burdock root is a member of the daisy family, distinguished by its thistle-like purple blooms and wavy leaves. The dark greenish brown roots are composed of plant sterols, tannins, volatile oils and carbohydrates that seem to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although burdock is cultivated as an herb and vegetable in some parts of the world, it grows mostly as a weed in the United States.
Benefits
Limited research has been done to evaluate the effectiveness of the historical uses of burdock tea as a medical treatment. There is some evidence that drinking burdock root tea may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and that burdock root tea may increase the quality of life for people living with cancer, says MedLine Plus, but more studies are needed to confirm that these benefits are scientifically based.
Considerations
Because it's part of the daisy family, burdock tea may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to daisies, ragweed or chrysanthemums, although MedLine says these reactions more commonly occur from handling burdock plants than from ingesting them. MedLine Plus also says there are several reports of burdock tea poisoning.
Warning
Burdock bears a strong resemblance to belladonna, or deadly nightshade, a plant that can be toxic to people. For this reason, it's generally not a good idea to gather burdock in the wild or to buy burdock from a dealer who seems less than reputable. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not drink burdock tea, and if you take diuretic or diabetic medications, check with a health care provider before drinking burdock tea since it has the potential to interfere with some of those medications.
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