How to Make Burdock Tea

Burdock tea is typically made with fresh burdock leaves or flowers and is used to treat a variety of ailments. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, traditional uses of the herb include purifying the blood and treating sore throats and colds. It is a mild diuretic, which is good for cleansing the entire system. Although few scientific studies exist to support the effects of the herb, burdock is used as a trusted herbal medicine around the world. This burdock tea recipe yields one 8-oz. serving.

Things You'll Need

• Tea kettle or saucepan
• Burdock leaves
• Heat-proof mugs
• Small saucer
• Fine-mesh tea strainer
• Honey or sugar
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Mint sprigs (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a tea kettle or small saucepan. Chop 1/4 cup fresh burdock leaves into small pieces, then place in a heat-proof mug.

• 2

  Pour the boiling water over the burdock leaves and cover the mug with a small saucer to keep the heat inside. Allow the mixture to stand for five to 10 minutes.

• 3

  Strain the burdock tea by pouring the mixture through a fine-mesh tea strainer into a clean, heat-proof mug. Discard the spent herbs in the compost pile or garbage bin.

• 4

  Sweeten the burdock tea by adding 1 to 2 tsp. honey or sugar. Stir well to dissolve the sweetener and garnish with lemon juice or mint sprigs, if desired. Drink immediately.

• 5

  Drink 2 to 3 cups of burdock tea per day as needed. For treating chronic ailments, the recommended dosage is 1 cup of tea three or four times per week.