Burdock

Also called

Burdock Root, Lappa, Wild Gobo, Happy Major

Traditional names

Niubang

Older scientific names

Arctium majus

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

• In traditional Chinese medicine, burdock fruit is valued as a blood purifier and for sore throat and colds. It is also used on the skin for acne, eczema and psoriasis, and for poor appetite (anorexia) and gout. It is used for cancer and AIDS too, though there's no evidence it works for these. The root has been eaten as food in Asia for centuries.[3]General reference

• Based on long-standing use, the European Medicines Agency recognizes burdock root as a traditional herbal medicine for:

  • Increasing urine to flush the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints
  • Short-term loss of appetite
  • Oily, flaky skin conditions (seborrheic skin)

  [1]Health agency

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

• In lab and animal studies, burdock showed effects against inflammation, bacteria, stomach ulcers, high blood sugar and cancer. In rats it protected the liver, possibly through its antioxidant activity. In animals, the root extract also stimulated the uterus.[3]General reference

• Burdock seeds are rich in arctiin and arctigenin, plant compounds called lignans. In lab-grown human skin, an oil made from burdock seeds and enriched in arctigenin reduced melanin, the pigment that darkens skin, more than plain burdock seed oil. A lotion with this oil didn't irritate lab-grown skin.[4]Study

  Technical detail: MelanoDerm and EpiDerm 3D tissue models; the enriched oil (ABSO) had about 5 times more arctigenin than burdock seed oil.

• In lab tests, small proteins (peptides) taken from burdock root stopped the growth of bacteria linked to acne, and didn't harm skin cells at the amounts tested. Researchers made them into an experimental skin dressing. This hasn't been tested on people's skin.[5]Study

  Technical detail: low-molecular-weight peptide fraction (<5,000 Da) active against Gram-positive Propionibacterium (Cutibacterium) acnes strains; fibroblast CC50 10 mg/mL; selectivity index 160–320; chitosan/alginate/genipin dressing.

Research in people

• Research in people is limited to small studies:

  • A cream with burdock extract improved the look of wrinkled skin.
  • Burdock tea improved signs of inflammation in people with knee arthritis.
  • Formulas containing burdock improved blood fats and after-meal blood sugar in people with kidney disease caused by diabetes.

  There is no evidence that burdock treats cancer, infections, diabetes or other conditions. Larger studies are needed.[3]General reference

• In an 8-week trial, 45 adults of Asian descent with uneven skin tone used a 1% lotion of arctigenin-enriched burdock seed oil or the same lotion without it, twice a day. Skin brightness and evenness improved compared with the start, and at week 4 brightness was better than with the plain lotion. Both lotions were well tolerated. The study was paid for and run by the two companies developing the ingredient, and all authors work for them and own stock in them.[4]Study

  Technical detail: double-blind, vehicle-controlled; visual brightness +22.7% at week 4 vs vehicle (p = 0.0243); other gains were reported against baseline; Rohto Pharmaceutical and Signum Biosciences.