7 Amazing Potential Health Benefits of Burdock Root

Researchers have increasingly discovered more benefits and potential uses for this nutrient-rich root, from promoting digestion to supporting skin health.

By Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC

— On Nov 28, 2022

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Originally from Europe and Northern Asia, burdock root is a highly nutritious vegetable. The burdock plant has long, deep roots ranging from brown and beige to black. Communities worldwide use the burdock root in holistic medicine for various conditions, a practice that emerged centuries ago.

Over the years, researchers have discovered more health benefits and potential uses for this nutrient-rich root. Today, thousands of people eat this tasty root vegetable to support digestion and smooth skin, and it is also known for its antioxidant and prebiotic properties.

The roots of the burdock plant are a powerhouse of potential health benefits. Let's discuss the top 7 benefits of burdock root and how you could experience them yourself.

Top 7 Potential Benefits of Burdock Root

In traditional medicine, people consume burdock root to help with various ailments, such as skin-related conditions and respiratory disruption. Modern research highlights so much more about this delicious root, including the following purported benefits:

1. Can Help Reduce Swelling and Redness

Burdock root is abundant in bioactive compounds and antioxidants that help support your body in defending against free radicals and oxidative stress, thereby aiding in the protection of cells from damage. The root contains chlorogenic acid, arctiin, and arctigenin, which can assist in the reduction of swelling and redness.

2. Can Support Skin Health

Using burdock root regularly can support healthier-looking skin. It doesn't matter whether you add the root to your food, drink tea, or take supplements; the effects of burdock manifest from the inside out.

The bioactive compounds, including lignans and arctiin, have stimulating properties that help give the skin a younger, supple look.

Regularly using a burdock root mask can help support your journey towards healthy skin. If you don’t want to eat burdock or take a supplement, you can mix the dried root powder with water and apply it like any other face mask.

3. Can Help with Digestion

Burdock root is rich in inulin, a natural dietary fiber that withstands digestion and absorption in the stomach. Inulin is a prebiotic, which aids with digestion. As burdock progresses through the intestines, the probiotics or healthy bacteria use it to thrive, helping your digestive system remain healthy and functional.

Burdock root also aids with digestive wellness by helping to minimize swelling and redness while thickening the colon's walls. It effectively supports constipation, acidity, and indigestion.

Furthermore, polysaccharides such as insulin function as laxatives, aiding digestion while supporting your appetite. Adding this tasty root to your diet is an excellent way to help with digestion and nutrient absorption.

4. Natural Diuretic that Promotes Kidney Function

One of the most outstanding benefits of consuming burdock root is its ability to help with increased diuretic activity. Diuretic agents help the body eliminate excess water while also helping to prevent unhealthy fluid retention.

Burdock root supports urine production. It's a great natural substitute for water pills for anyone who needs help with swelling. Burdock root also helps with the prevention of toxin buildup in the body and supports healthy fluid balance.

5. It's a Natural Aphrodisiac

Adding burdock root to your diet can be a fantastic way to support your libido. The natural plant extract can act as an aphrodisiac by helping stimulate sexual appetite and response. These properties come from the numerous alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, and saponins present in this nutrient-dense root.

6. Supports Liver Health

Burdock root contains some forms of caffeoylquinic acid, which has a hepatoprotective effect. This means the compounds naturally help safeguard the liver and its cells.

Some of the antioxidants in burdock can help safeguard the liver while transforming toxins into soluble products that the body can eliminate. This breakdown process generates harmful free radicals, so the antioxidants ensure the liver remains healthy.

7. Can Help Support Immune Function

Burdock is also a popular immune wellness ingredient in natural medicines that can help with coughs, colds, sore throats, and fevers. It boasts antipyretic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve the symptoms of such conditions and can support your immune system.

Burdock roots and leaves also contain flavonoids like luteolin, quercetin, and phenolic acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Burdock also has diaphoretic properties that help increase sweat production, which can help in aiding high fevers.

What Is the Burdock Root?

Arctium lappa or burdock is a biennial plant with big leaves and purple flowers, similar to the thistle. The edible root is a staple food in Asian and Japanese communities and has numerous medicinal purposes.

Burdock root is also becoming more popular in the food and beverage industry thanks to its sweet, earthy taste, rich aroma, and crisp, harsh texture.

This plant is brimming with nutrients, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, which support your health and general well-being. It's an excellent source of roughage, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and folate.

One serving or 125 grams of this root contains:

110 calories, 1 calorie from fat
Total carbohydrates: 26 g, which is 9% of the Daily Value (DV)
Calcium: 48.4 mg, 5% of the DV
Vitamin C: 3.5 mg 5% DV
Niacin: 0.4 mg, 2%
Vitamin K: 1.9 micrograms (mcg), 2% of the DV
Iron: 0.9 mg, 5%
Folate: 45.9 mcg, 11%
Vitamin B6: 0.3 mg, 14%
Betaine: 0.2 mg
Dietary Fiber: 2g, 9%
Potassium: 363 mg, 10%
Sodium: 5.9 mg, 0%
Sugars: 4g
Zinc: 0.4 mg, 3%
Choline: 13.8 mg
Phosphorus: 60.2 mg, 6%
Protein: 3g
Magnesium: 44.8 mg, 11%
Vitamin E: 0.4 mg, 2%
Manganese: 0.3mg, 14%
Pantothenic Acid: 0.4 mg, 4%
Copper: 0.1 mg, 5%

With such a wealth of nutrients, it's no surprise that more people are incorporating burdock root into their diets.

How to Add Burdock Root to Your Diet

There are numerous ways to use burdock root, so your choice largely depends on personal preference and purpose. If you prefer eating the plant as a vegetable, you can stir-fry it, add it to salads, soups, and stews, or chew the root. Some people prefer drinking burdock tea, made from ground or crushed roots.

However, one of the easiest and most convenient ways to add it to your diet is via a powder or included in a super greens powder. Some greens powders contain burdock root as one of their many healthful ingredients. Simply mix your super greens with some water or a milk product of your choice, or better yet, add a spoonful of greens to a smoothie.

How Live it Up Could Help

Burdock root brims with multiple nutrients that may benefit your body tremendously, including high omega fatty acids, folate, dietary fiber, vitamins, and powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

The beauty of Super Greens is that you can reap these potential benefits and more in a single serving. Our organic vegetables come from only trusted farms worldwide, and we feature ingredients such as burdock root, dandelion, peppermint leaf, spirulina, chlorella, kale, broccoli, and more. Super Greens is plant-based, gluten-free, all-natural, and allergen-friendly, and you can rest assured that our exceptional products have no added sweeteners, preservatives, flavors, or artificial colors.

FAQs

Still curious if burdock root is right for you? Check out some of the common questions people ask.

Does burdock root benefit the hair?

Yes, using burdock root as hair oil or incorporating it into your diet may support hair growth and a healthy scalp and minimize grayness.

Does burdock help with weight management?

Burdock root has properties that can help support metabolic health and other bodily functions that help with weight management.

Are there side effects of burdock root?

Burdock can trigger allergic reactions such as dermatitis in people sensitive to chrysanthemums, daisies, and ragweed. It can also have side effects when combined with certain medications. Be sure to check with your doctor before adding any new dietary supplement to your routine.

References

About the author:

Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC

Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Support Clinician dedicated to helping others lead healthier lives through evidence-based nutrition advice.

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