What Are the Benefits of Using Burdock?

Burdock is a plant that is considered a vegetable in certain parts of Europe and Asia and is used in alternative medical systems. It is sold as a food and nutritional supplement in the United States.

Modern Medicine

• Modern medicine hasn't conducted enough studies to formulate a statement on burdock. However, preliminary evidence may support certain traditional claims that it is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial.

Composition

• Burdock is composed mainly of carbohydrates (primarily inulin), tannins, volatile oils, fatty oils and plant sterols. It is unknown by modern science what exactly are the elements responsible for burdock's potential benefits.

Nutritional Benefits

• A 1 cup serving (125 grams) of boiled and drained burdock root with salt contains 5 percent iron, 5 percent vitamin C, 9 percent fiber, 6 percent calcium and 7 percent protein.

Traditional Internal Benefits

• Burdock traditionally is used as a blood purifier, for kidney and liver health, arthritis, cancer, gout, as a diuretic, as a laxative and to treat colds and influenza. Burdock's inulin content may be beneficial for stomach health.

Traditional External Benefits

• Burdock is used for skin conditions such as burns, acne, psoriasis and as a diaphoretic (which causes sweating) to detoxify the body.