Herb Notes: The Benefits of Burdock
Burdock (Arctium lappa) grows abundantly as a “weed” along pathways and roadsides, but don’t let the everyday nature of this plant fool you: burdock, like so many prolific medicinal plants, offers many healing gifts.
Let’s dive into 3 benefits of burdock…
1. Burdock as a Nutrient Dense Food
Burdock is traditionally enjoyed in many cuisines throughout the world. In Japanese cooking it’s referred to as “gobo,” and it makes a wonderful addition to soups and salads. Burdock offers a subtly sweet, nutty taste and boasts nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
2. Burdock as a Prebiotic
Just as burdock root nourishes us with its nutrients, it also can nourish our gut flora with its high levels of inulin. Inulin is a starchy carbohydrate that can help support a more diverse, healthy gut microbiome. Enjoying burdock root as a food is a great way to get more inulin in your diet.
3. Burdock for Skin Health
Burdock is an alterative herb: meaning it can help support elimination pathways, particularly through the skin. When bodily stagnation shows up as rashes, eczema, acne, and more, working with burdock can help bring the skin back into balance. When I’m working with burdock for skin health, I like to enjoy it as a burdock root tea.
Burdock Contraindications
Burdock is a root vegetable that’s considered safe for most people, but there are a few things to keep in mind. If you are sensitive to inulin, eating large quantities of burdock root may make your stomach bloated and gassy—so be mindful of your burdock intake. People who are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family should avoid burdock. Folks with skin conditions who start taking burdock may notice an increase in symptoms initially; starting with a lower dose can help ease this increase. Also, the safety of burdock seed hasn’t been conclusively established in pregnancy or lactation.1
Want to Learn More About Other Common Herbs' Benefits?
Now that you've learned a little bit about the health benefits of burdock, you might be wondering how you can learn more about the medicinal properties of other common plants.
Well, here’s the easy way to get more info about some of our favorite herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes here. You’ll learn all about the medicinal properties of common herbs like elderberry, dandelion, and more.
Here are some frequently asked questions about burdock…
What cultures have traditionally worked with burdock?
Burdock has traditionally been consumed as a food in Japan, China, Korea, Europe, and by many Native American tribes. Burdock is considered a medicinal herb in many traditions as well, such as traditional Chinese Medicine.
How can I prepare burdock root?
Burdock root makes a delicious addition to stir-fries, salads, soups, and roasted vegetable medleys. This burdock hot and sour soup is particularly tasty.
Footnotes
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