Is Burdock Safe for Diabetics?

Burdock (or Arctium lappa) belongs to the daisy family and has been in use for hundreds of years as a diuretic, as a topical cure for skin problems (like acne or eczema) and to treat ailments like arthritis and diabetes. Because of its affect on blood sugar levels, diabetics should use burdock with caution.

• Living with Diabetes

Burdock Facts

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, burdock is primarily comprised of fatty oils, carbohydrates, tannins, volatile oils and plant sterols. It may have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Blood Sugar

• According to Medline Plus, the root and fruit of the burdock plant have been linked to lowering blood sugar levels in laboratory animals.

Warning

• You should consult your doctor prior to using burdock if you have hypoglycemia or diabetes. You may need increased monitoring of your blood sugar levels due to the plant's affect on blood glucose.

Interactions

• Burdock may interact with your diabetes medications (like Glucophage or insulin). Your doctor may need to adjust your dosages depending on your body's reaction to burdock.

Considerations

• Medline Plus points out that there is not enough clinical evidence studying burdock's impact on humans; however, it may be promising for use in treating cancer, bacterial infection and HIV. Diabetic patients should only use this product with their doctor's guidance.