How Burdock Cleans Your Blood, the Soil, and So Much More
This plant contains multitudes, from inspiring the creation of velcro to nanomedicine innovations
Once in meditation, burdock told me she contains multitudes. As I researched, I found that this was more true than I could have possibly imagined. She was the inspiration for velcro and has her hands in making nanomedicines. Her scientific name is Arctium. The genus arctium is named from the Greek work Arktos, for bear. I found some who said it was so named because the burrs get stuck in bear fur and others who said the burrs resemble mats in a bear’s fur. Herbalist Steven Martyn also notes that burdock’s strength and endurance also resembles the bear. The name burdock comes, quite sensibly, from burr+dock. However, the docks we discussed last month are in the buckwheat family, while Burdock is in the Asteraceae family (with daisies, sunflowers, dandelions, coneflowers and more).
Identification
Burdock stands out in a crowd. Though most of the research has been performed on Arctium lappa (Greater burdock), most of the burdock near me is common burdock, Arctium minus. It is a biennial plant, so the first year it resembles rhubarb with its large leaves and stalk. The leaves are a duller color, almost fuzzy looking, compared to rhubarb. The leaves can be up to 18 inches in diameter, heart-shaped, and are often rippled or wavy. In the second year, the plant sends up a stalk that is up to 6 feet tall, usually closer to 3 feet. It has pinkish-purple flowers that turn into burrs that are about 0.5 inches (1 cm) across. The stems are often tinted somewhat reddish or reddish-brown. The roots are substantial, extending up to 4 feet deep according to foraging expert Sam Thayer. The roots can be more than 2 inches (up to 6 cm) in diameter.
Greater burdock (Arctium lappa) can reach up to 9 feet tall. The seed heads are noticeably larger, usually closer to 1 inch (2-2.5 cm) in diameter.
How to Harvest
As a general rule for harvesting, think about when most of the energy will be in that part of the plant. So the energy will be in the leaves until it shoots up a stalk, in the stalk until the plant flowers, and the energy will return to the roots in the fall, in preparation for winter.
Burdock Leaves
Leaves are best harvested in the spring or early summer before the plant flowers.
Burdock Root
Roots are best harvested as the plant puts its energy back into the roots, in early fall. If you are using burdock for food, digging it up in the spring results in sweeter, but less medicinal roots.
Burdock Stalks
Harvest burdock stalks as they are growing vigorously in early-mid summer.
Burdock Seeds
Harvest the whole flower head and dry it, usually in mid-late summer. Some people do remove the seeds from the burrs, but it is important to avoid getting the little hairs that surround the seed in your eyes.
Favorite Recipes
Burdock roots contain iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6. Like dandelion roots, burdock root is tremendously rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports your gut microbiome and digestion. I’m planning to write more about inulin in the next few weeks, but for now, just know it’s great. Burdock roots taste bittersweet and are a bit mucilaginous.
Burdock and Ginger Soda
From Wild Remedies:
Ingredients:
¼ fresh burdock root, thinly sliced, or 2 Tbsp dried
¼ fresh ginger, thinly sliced, or 2 Tbsp dried
1.5 cups water
1 lemon sliced
4 whole allspice berries
1 whole star anise pod
1 green cardamom pod, cracked
¾ cup mild honey
Chilled club soda
Instructions:
Combine burdock, ginger, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover the pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove from the heat, stir in lemon slices, allspice, star anise, cardamom, and honey. Let cool completely.
Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, transfer to a clean jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Mix 1 part syrup with 4 parts soda, adjust as desired.
Braised Burdock Root
Ingredients:
0.5 lb of burdock root (about 4 cups julienned)
1 tablespoon neutral-tasting oil
¼ cup of water AND large bowl of water for soaking
1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
½ tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
Scrub burdock root with veggie scrubber or scouring pad
Use a sharp knife to cut on the diagonal, with slices about ⅛ inch thick.
Stack a few slices at a time, cut into thin matchsticks
Soak the cut pieces in a bowl of water (this prevents oxidation and removes some of the bitterness)
Drain and rinse burdock, then pat dry.
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet, stir frequently, until crisp-tender. The recipe said it should be lightly browned at this point. I think my burdock was too moist to get light brown, so go more by the tenderness. It will take about 6 minutes.
Add ¼ cup water, soy sauce, honey, and mirin. Stir occasionally until the liquid is absorbed, about 8 minutes.
Stir in the sesame oil and sesame seeds.
Serve hot or at room temperature. I love it with a teriyaki beef stir-fry, sometimes with kimchi too.
How to Prepare as Medicine
I have primarily used the root for food and medicine. I usually dig up roots in mid-late September here. You want to harvest it late enough that the plant is preparing for winter, but before the soil freezes. You can make the root into tincture or tea, or cook with it. If you are drying it for tea, I recommend cutting it up before you dry it because you won’t be able to after it’s dry.
Medicinal Uses
According to Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the roots, leaves, and burrs are all medicinal. The root is used most commonly, though the leaves are sometimes used topically. Metis herbalist, Lori Ann Bird, agrees that all parts of the plant can be used medicinally. Steven Martyn suggests a tincture mixing one part seed with 10 parts root as the root tends to be very gentle, supportive, and nutritive, while the seed addresses more acute conditions and pathogens. The seeds are thought to be warming, while the root and leaves are thought to be cooling.
General:
Cools fevers (Martyn)
Activates the immune system (Martyn)
Removes heavy metals (Martyn)
Burdock seeds assist with blood sugar management
Anti-inflammatory
Ear, Nose, and Throat:
Burdock flowers have been used for colds and sore throats
Cardiovascular:
Prevents blood clots (Martyn)
Clears plaque build up in the arteries (Martyn)
Respiratory:
Supports the function of the lungs (Martyn)
Gastrointestinal:
Soothing to the mucous membranes because the fats, oils, and starches coat inflamed tissue. (Bird 2025, 194)
The seed has a tingly, pungent flavor that activates the salivary glands and nourishes the digestive system. (Bird 2025, 194)
Supports the function of the large intestine (Martyn)
Supports liver function (Martyn)
Treats hepatitis (liver inflammation)
Kidney:
Seeds can be ingested to treat kidney stones (Bird 2025, 194)
Supports the function of the kidneys (Martyn)
Burdock seeds are known for their diuretic properties
Blood:
Remedy for all blood disorders, even chronic ones (Baïracli-Levy 1997, 25)
Burdock is a master cleanser of our blood (Martyn)
Musculoskeletal:
Effective for gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and sciatica (Baïracli-Levy 1997, 25)
Skin:
Juliette de Bairacli Levy recommends what she calls a standard brew. In making the standard brew, you use a large handful of the leaves per 2 cups of water. Heat it for 3 minutes until it is close to boiling, but do not boil it, then let it steep for 3-8 hours. This can be used topically as a lotion for burns, scalds, skin irritation, boils, carbuncles, and skin parasites. (Baïracli-Levy 1997, 26)
Bruised leaves can be used for burns and ringworm. (Baïracli-Levy 1997, 26)
Treats hair loss
Gynecologic:
Traditional use of burdock is for prolapsed uterus (Martyn)
Burdock contains chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body (phytoestrogens)
Infectious Disease:
Burdock decoction (root simmered at length) was one of the most popular treatments of syphilis (Martyn)
Burdock is also used in Lyme disease treatment to clear the blood of dead bacteria (Martyn)
Neurology: Relieves dizziness
Burdock has also been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, and immune enhancing properties. In traditional Korean medicine it is used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, or detoxifying agent. As an edible medicine, it has been used as a diuretic, to relieve flatulence, prevent infection, relieve inflammation, and prevent tuberculosis.
Burdock is used in Iraq to treat diseases related to cancer or that may lead to cancer like skin diseases, blood-related diseases, immune disorders, inflammatory conditions, and infectious diseases.
The European Medicines Agency recommends burdock for cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis, which can affect adults too), dandruff, and growths on the skin that look like waxy moles called seborrheic keratosis. They also recommend using burdock for urinary tract infections.
Medical Literature
Burdock contains at least 27 phenols (a benzene ring with a hydrogen and oxygen attached) that can act in our bodies. It is also a good source of chlorogenic acid, which can delay the development of multiple chronic diseases and have beneficial effect in the nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, liver, muscles, and pancreas. Burdock also contains many other beneficial chemicals including:
Lignans, which are plant-based estrogen-like chemicals that can reduce the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer. They are also thought to lower the risk of heart disease, lower the risk of osteoporosis, and reduce menopausal symptoms.
Polysaccharides, which have powerful antioxidant properties
Caffeoylquinic acids, which have brain protective effects, including reducing the impact of stroke and preventing memory loss
Fructooligosaccharides, which are a type of inulin, that prevent diabetes
Triterpenoids, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial properties. They also lower cholesterol.
Flavonoids, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties
It is important to know that the chemical components of burdock change significantly from when they are focused on growing leaves, stems, and roots (vegetative stage) than when they are focused on growing flowers and fruits (reproductive stage).
General:
Anti-inflammatory, in fact, burdock root extract showed similar anti-inflammatory effect of diclofenac (an NSAID medication)
Dental:
Burdock leaves were more effective at preventing microbial growth than the standard calcium hydroxide when used as a dressing for root canals
Burdock leaves also inhibited the growth of oral cavity microbes that cause infections near the tooth root.
Infectious Diseases:
Antibacterial activity against Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria, E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, and antifungal activity against the yeast, Candida albicans
Burdock leaf extract increases the effectiveness of antibiotics against many types of bacteria (both gram positive and gram negative for you microbiologists out there)
Burdock fruit extract significantly reduced the reproduction of herpes simplex viruses, with similar effectiveness to antiviral medication acyclovir.
Cardiovascular:
Burdock root tea decreased blood pressure and total cholesterol in patients with knee arthritis
Respiratory:
A lignan chemical in burdock, called arctigenin, prevents the development of acute lung injury (which is severe respiratory distress usually due to fluid in the lungs because of an inflammatory response caused by critical illness, frequently sepsis)
Gastrointestinal:
In mouse models of ulcerative colitis, treatment with burdock reduced inflammatory signaling chemicals (cytokines)
Burdock in combination with several herbal medicine was effective at treating ulcers due to H. pylori
Renal:
Protects kidney cells from death due to high blood sugar levels
Oncology:
Decreases the migration of cancer cells to other areas and increases cell death in cervical cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer
Burdock root extract prevents the development of liver cancer
Arctigenin, a chemical in burdock, significantly decreases the expression of androgen receptors, which are key to the growth and spread of prostate cancer
Arctigenin also prevents the growth of gliomas (a particular type of nerve cell tumor) and retinoblastomas (a cancer of the retina of the eye)
A compound from purified burdock seeds reduced the growth of tumors by 54% at 5 mg/kg/d and by 64% at 10 mg/kg/d
In patients with advanced pancreatic cancer that did not respond to two types of chemotherapy, gemcitabine and one other. Burdock fruit extract was given at three different doses for two weeks. There were minimal side effects. In the 15 patients studied, one had a decrease in the size of his cancer, 4 had no change. In advanced pancreatic cancer, which is generally very difficult to treat, these were considered promising results, but it needs to be tested in more people.
Metabolic:
Decreases blood sugar through several mechanisms
Compounds present in burdock leaf can bind enzymes, which prevents the conversion of starch into sugar.
Burdock root extract helps muscle cells absorb more glucose, which leaves less to be stored in the liver (which is where glucose is stored to be released into the bloodstream).
In studies on mice, fasting blood glucose was decreased by nearly 20% when treated by burdock oligosaccharides.
Increases insulin levels in the blood
Decreases total cholesterol
Decreases triglycerides
Decreased food intake in rats
Burdock root extract and aquatic exercise were each found to reduce obesity and improve sex-hormone levels in elderly obese women, but there was not an increased effect from combining burdock root and water exercise
Reproductive Health:
Burdock root extract enhanced sperm viability in diabetic mice, suggesting usefulness in sterility
Orthopedic:
Burdock root tea improved pain and patient’s ability to get up and go in knee osteoarthritis
Rheumatology:
Decreases uric acid (the compound that causes gout)
Burdock has also been studied in the creation of nanomedicines. Burdock root water extract has been used in research trials to create gold and silver nanoparticles. Another burdock root water extract was used to help produce another nanomedicine called chitosan, which is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. The polyphenols and proteins from burdock helped in the production and stabilization of these particles. The nanoparticles that have been made have antimicrobial properties and can kill leukemia cells. Some of these nanomedicines may become important in treating antibiotic resistant bacteria. It has already been tested on antibiotic resistant S. aureus and Pseudomonas. Polysaccharides in burdock may also be used in carbon-based nanoparticles to treat diabetes in the future.
Adverse Effects
Contact dermatitis (a type of rash) may develop after using burdock root plaster on skin for several days. There have been case reports of poisoning (anticholinergic for any medical/toxicology folks). However, it was later found that the burdock involved had been contaminated by belladonna (which is well-known to cause that pattern of toxicity). Long-term use of burdock has led to anaphylaxis in one case. Oil made from the root was also found to cause skin redness and anaphylaxis. Burdock can interfere with blood clotting, so people already taking blood thinners should avoid its use. It is in the Aster family of plants, so it should be avoided by people who are allergic to other plants in that family.
Ecosystem Services
Just like dandelion, burdock is one of the first plants to cover disturbed sites (after fire, logging, agriculture, building, etc.). This prevents erosion, improves soil health, and provides shade. Burdock’s deep roots pull minerals, heavy metals, and other contaminants from the soil. (Martyn) They pull those minerals into their leaves. When those leaves die, the minerals return to the surface of the soil, which is more helpful (to humans at least) than nutrients in the depths of the soil. These powerful roots also break up compacted and rocky soils, opening air and drainage pathways to make way for other roots to grow. This leaves nutrient-rich, aerated soil. Burdock roots also accumulate copper, which can be helpful in preventing mildew. Burdock flowers provide nourishment for pollinators in mid-summer just before goldenrod blooms, and the leaves shelter beneficial insects.
History and Folklore
Burdock was known in folklore as Beggar’s Buttons, Love Leaves, Gobo, Cocklebur, and Happy Major. In the Middle Ages, in Europe and China, burdock was brewed as a tonic and people chewed the roots to treat intestinal issues, hair loss, and arthritis. In traditional European Medicine, Burdock root, Dandelion root, and Yellow Dock root were combined in a tonic to purify the blood and support liver function. Burdock was hung around windows and doors to ward off lightning strikes. In Scandinavia, it was called Toennersbladen, associated with Thor. In American folklore, burdock root was used to prevent others from applying curses to the wearer. Shakespeare also speaks of burdock in several of his plays.
When burdock was brought to North America, Native Americans began using the plant medicinally. Iroquois people used burdock for colds, coughs, and rheumatoid arthritis. Ojibwe people used the leaves to make a skin poultice and used the plant to treat stomach pain as well.
In Asia, burdock root has been and continues to be used extensively in food. In Traditional Chinese medicine, burdock is known to have cooling properties and is used to treat fever, sore throat, and acne. In modern times, Burdock’s infamous burrs were the inspiration for velcro.
Magical Uses
Burdock is used mainly for cleansing and protective magic. Burdock buried or hung by a south-facing door was thought to protect homes and stables from evil. Here are some magical practices suggested by witch Patti Wigington:
Plant burdock around your home (or just let it grow on its own, like mine does) to protect your property from negativity and evil.
Use the root, dried, in protection sachets
Place the fresh leaves in the room of someone who’s feeling sickly
Mix dried bits into an incense blend and burn for purification rituals
Sprinkle it in your bathwater for a healing bath when you’re unwell
Brew a tea by infusing about an ounce of dried burdock in two pints of water — reduce it down to a single pint by boiling it — and then drink it for overall wellness. You can also use this as a skin cleanser, particularly if you suffer from dry skin.*
Another witch suggests writing your wishes on a burdock leaf and burning them to help them come true. Kate Murphy also has some other rituals for cleansing and purification, grounding and connection, and expressing abundance here.
Plant Spirit Medicine
The way I engage with plant spirits is usually by doing a sort of visualization/meditation. When I journeyed with Burdock, she called my attention to the fact that I had always been so focused on her roots, but she is also her huge leaves, tall stalks, clinging burrs. She pulled me underground, which brought some fear. When I returned to the surface, I was a small fairy. I rested on top of a leave, then underneath it. I flew up around the stalks and burrs. She wanted me to know that she is a source of protection for me and that she contains multitudes.
Flower Essences
Burdock flower essence is helpful for releasing old anger, particularly directed toward an authority figure, or anger related to grief of loss.
Blessing
We honor you holy burdock, Who contains multitudes Broad leaves Deep, sturdy roots Fierce-gripped burrs Ancient healing Modern nanomedicines And Velcro We praise you for your many gifts Please grant us the ability To stay rooted in upheaval To bloom where we are planted To leave our land healthier than we found it We thank you for cleaning our soils And our bodies For opening the way So other plant kin can take root For helping us find balance Amidst life’s sweetnesses And healing us when we are not in balance With our microbial kin For protecting our hearts and minds And our homes and stables Bless us and help us cling tightly to one another and to you!
References
Baïracli-Levy, Juliette d. 1997. Common Herbs for Natural Health. N.p.: Ash Tree Publishing.
Bird, LoriAnn. 2025. Revered Roots: Ancestral Teachings and Wisdom of Wild, Edible, and Medicinal Plants. N.p.: Cool Springs Press.
Martyn, Steven. n.d. Burdock.
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A deep dive into a fascinating compound called inulin (which is found in burdock and dandelion roots!) and how to get more of it
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Reclaiming our attention, the default mode network of our brain, and how to do a sit-spot or wonder wander
This is the most beautiful and comprehensive info about burdock that I’ve ever read. I love how you are so connected to this plant!
I'd love to volunteer for your experiment! Where do I apply?