Burdock Root & Bodybuilding

The goal of bodybuilding is to develop lean muscle mass while reducing excess body fat; to this end, a well-balanced, high-protein diet is mandatory. According to Bodybuilding Tips, dietary supplementation to enhance metabolism and stimulate the formation of glycogen needed for muscle repair is often necessary. Burdock root, used as an herbal medicine in traditional healing systems, is becoming increasingly popular as a dietary supplement for bodybuilders; the plant is believed to increase perspiration, detoxify the body and promote healthy muscle function. Ask your doctor before taking burdock.

Burdock History and Traditional Uses

Burdock -- botanically known as Arctium lappa and also called beggar's buttons and lappa -- is a perennial herb related to the daisy. Indigenous to Europe and Northern Asia, burdock has spread to the United States, where it grows as a weed. The fruits, seeds, leaves and root of the plant have been used in herbal remedies to treat respiratory illnesses, rheumatism, cancers, digestive disorders and gout. Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health notes that burdock has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for sore throats and tonsillitis; the website notes it is also believed to function as a blood purifier. Drugs.com notes that burdock has been used as a diuretic and to promote sweating.

Constituents and Effects

According to Drugs.com, which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers, burdock root contains tannins, polyactetylenes and polyphenolic acids; it also is made up of 50 percent inulin, a non-digestible plant fiber. Inulin, also called fructooligosaccharide, is a prebiotic found naturally in foods, as well as in other herbs such as dandelion and chicory root. According to Prebiotic Canada, inulin passes though the small intestine and proceeds to ferment in the large intestine, where it turns into beneficial microflora called bifidobacterium. Drugs.com credits inulin with improving the metabolism of lipids, or fats, and adds that it may increase cardiovascular health. Rxlist concurs that inulin has a beneficial effect on fats in the bloodstream, stating that inulin lowers triglyceride levels and may also help to reduce weight. According to the National Cancer Institute, inulin not only produces beneficial bacteria, but it helps the body absorb calcium and magnesium.

Inulin Research

There is scientific research supporting the belief that burdock can help promote healthy function of muscles. In an article written by Marcel B. Roberfroid and published in the June 2000 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," the author concluded that inulin-type fructans caused the growth of beneficial bifidobacteria and helped facilitate absorption of calcium and magnesium, minerals that are necessary for healthy muscle function. The author stated that inulin may also lower LDL cholesterol levels, as well as reduce total serum cholesterol.

Burdock Dosage

To take burdock root as a dietary supplement, you can follow the recommendation of Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health and take 1 to 2 g of dried root preparation three times a day. Blue Shield says you can also take 2 to 4 ml of a root tincture per day. The website notes that burdock root is often taken in conjunction with other herbs thought to have a blood-purifying effect, such as yellow dock, red clover and cleavers.

Safety Considerations

Burdock root is generally considered a safe and edible food product, but Drugs.com notes that there are cases on record of burdock root tea poisoning, due to contamination of the tea with plants containing atropine. If you choose to take burdock in a tea, make sure you obtain it from a reputable supplier. The website adds that burdock can interact with prescription medications. Consult your doctor before taking burdock.