Burdock root enjoys a historical reputation as an all-purpose blood purifier for a disparate range of conditions, ranging from diabetes and HIV to nonthreatening conditions such as baldness, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). You may know burdock root as a principal player in well-known natural cancer remedies such as Essiac. However, it pays not to take burdock root too seriously. No evidence indicates it's helpful for cancer -- or any medical condition.
History & Claims
Native to Europe and Northern Asia, burdock has been cultivated for a variety of purposes over the centuries, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). In the U.S., burdock grows uncultivated. Burdock was used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat measles, colds and sore throats. In Japan and some parts of Europe, it is consumed as a vegetable. Burdock root contains high levels of insulin, which may explain why it soothes the gastrointestinal tract and helps digestion. In the 20th century, burdock root tea gained popularity as an alternative treatment for cancer.
Preparations
Fresh or dried burdock roots are used to make dietary supplements and other products. The dried root powder of this herb is used, but it is also sold in liquid formations (tinctures, extracts and decoctions). Burdock root is also included in herbal tea mixtures that purportedly treat cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), along with other ingredients such as Indian rhubarb, sheep sorrel, slippery elm, kelp and red clover. More than one company sells burdock root-based teas, each under its own trade name. Essiac and Flor•Essence are two more recognizable brand names.
Burdock for Cancer
Burdock root has been used as an alternative or complementary cancer treatment for almost a century. The NCI reports that a nurse in Canada first began to use Essiac in the 1920s. Purportedly, the nurse received the Essiac blend from a breast cancer survivor who received it from an Ojibwa healer. Believing in the treatment, the nurse opened a clinic in Ontario and used Essiac to treat cancer patients. The clinic was later closed in 1942, not long after a site visit from the Royal Cancer Commission of Canada, which found that Essiac was of little benefit. A Canadian company that acquired Essiac failed to get permission from its government to conduct clinical trials using human subjects. The company failed to have Essiac approved as a drug by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
Effectiveness
Preclinical studies using animal subjects were conducted in the mid-1970s and the early 1980s, reports the NCI. Numerous experiments and studies conducted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that Essiac had no effect on cancer. A 1983 test conducted by the NCI also revealed similar findings; high dosages of liquid Essiac caused the death of the animal subjects. The body of laboratory and animal studies on burdock root-based teas such as Essiac and Flor•Essence is very inconclusive, with some studies reporting increased tumor growth and others reporting decreased growth of cancer cells. Based on available research, the NIH gives burdock a grade of "C" for use in cancer and diabetes.
Cautions & Concerns
Don't use burdock root if you're pregnant or nursing. Don't give it to children without a doctor's okay. If you're dehydrated, don't take burdock, as it can have a diuretic effect. Allergic reactions to burdock are more likely if you're also sensitive to daisies, ragweed and chrysanthemums. The UMMC cautions against using burdock root supplements in large quantities, as the herb's safety has not been addressed in numerous studies. When eaten as a vegetable, however, burdock root is safe. Talk to your doctor before you use burdock root, and be wary of preparations that purport to cure cancer. The Federal Trade Commission's "Operation False Hope" website for consumers points out that "natural" is not synonymous with "safe and effective."
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