Burdock, or Arctium lappa, native to Asia and naturalized in the United States, reaches 5 feet in height, producing bright purple thistle-like blooms in summer. The large taproot of the plant has a history of both culinary and medicinal uses. An extract is a concentrated form of an herb’s active ingredients and it may be a liquid or a powder. Burdock root extract is available in health food stores but the FDA does not regulate the production or sale of the extract, so there is no guarantee of safety or effectiveness. Talk to your doctor before you use herbs to treat any condition that you have.
Process
Although burdock is a biennial plant, only the root of a first-year plant is desirable for making herbal preparations, according to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Manufacturers combine the fresh or dried chopped root in a solution of alcohol and water to draw out burdock’s properties. After two or three weeks, they strain the mixture, reserving only the liquid. Manufacturers then bottle the liquid for sale as a tincture, or dry it to make tablets or capsules.
Early Uses
Burdock root has an important place in the history of Chinese and Japanese medicine. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports the use of burdock in treating colds and irritated throats, indigestion and as a blood purifier. Externally, burdock root is used to treat skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis and eczema. Studies confirming the effectiveness of burdock for these historical uses are lacking.
Constituents
Burdock root extract contains volatile oils, lignans, sesquiterpene lactones, polyynes, caffeic acid, tannins, phytosterols, triterpenes and polysaccharides, according to "The Physician's Desk Reference of Herbal Medicines."
Potential Benefits
Burdock root extract may be beneficial in cleansing toxins from the system due to its diaphoretic ability to increase perspiration. Externally, it may be useful in the treatment of canker sores, boils, measles and dry skin disorders. Burdock root is an ingredient in the herbal remedy, Essiac, a formula popularized by a Canadian nurse in the 1900s for treating cancer. Although burdock extract may have some beneficial effects, research is necessary to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Never replace traditional medical care with an herb unless your doctor approves.
Considerations
Without regulatory oversight, burdock extract may arrive on shelves with questionable ingredients. Burdock products are generally safe, according to the website, Drugs.com, but skin irritation may occur in some. Research is necessary to determine if burdock causes additional side effects. Drugs.com advises pregnant women to avoid burdock. Use this herbal remedy under the supervision of a qualified herbalist or a doctor of naturopathy.
References
- “PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Edition”; Joerg Gruenwald, PhD, 2000
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Burdock
- Drugs.com: Burdock
- “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 2”; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
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