Home Ingredients Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)
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Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Arctium lappa
Evidence Level
Limited
3 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Burdock root (Arctium lappa) is promoted as a healthy food in Chinese societies, and the European Medicines Agency accepts oral burdock root as a traditional herbal medicine for seborrheic (oily) skin conditions, based on long-standing use alone. It supplies inulin-type fructans (a prebiotic fiber), chlorogenic acids and lignans such as arctigenin. In a double-blind trial in 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, 460 mg a day of root powder lowered C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde and raised antioxidant enzyme activity versus placebo, while hirsutism and menstrual frequency did not differ. A tea trial in 36 adults with knee osteoarthritis reported similar marker changes without a clear comparison with its water control. Reported risks include allergic reactions, an atropine-contaminated burdock tea, and a case of severely low platelets after a yellow dock and burdock tea.

Studied Dose Not established. Human trials used 6 g of dried root a day as three cups of tea (2 g per 150 mL) for 42 days, 460 mg of root powder in one capsule a day for 12 weeks, or 1.5 g of roasted burdock tea three times a day long term.
Active Compound Inulin-type fructans (prebiotic fiber), chlorogenic acids, lignans (arctigenin and arctiin) and quercetin.

Benefits

Blood markers of inflammation

In a double-blind trial of 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, 460 mg a day of burdock root powder for 12 weeks lowered C-reactive protein versus placebo. A 42-day trial of 6 g a day of tea in 36 adults with knee osteoarthritis reported lower C-reactive protein and IL-6, without saying whether this was compared with the water control. Everyone kept their usual medicines.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers

Compared with placebo, 12 weeks of burdock root powder raised superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity and lowered malondialdehyde in 60 women. A 42-day tea trial reported higher superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity and lower malondialdehyde, without saying whether these were compared with its control. These are blood laboratory readings only.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Prebiotic inulin-type fiber

Burdock root is a source of inulin-type fructans, prebiotic fibers of the kind found in chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke, along with chlorogenic acids and lignans. No trial cited here measured gut bacteria or bowel habits in people taking burdock.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Traditional use for skin quality

The European Medicines Agency accepts oral burdock root as a traditional herbal medicine for seborrheic (oily) skin conditions, based exclusively on long-standing use, and traditional Chinese medicine holds that the root promotes circulation to the skin. None of the human trials cited here tested any skin outcome.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

CRP and IL-6 in human trials

In a placebo-controlled capsule trial, C-reactive protein fell compared with placebo; a tea trial also reported lower C-reactive protein and IL-6 but did not say whether this was compared with its control. How this happens in people is unknown; the trials measured blood markers only.

2

Arctigenin signaling in laboratory studies

Arctigenin, a major lignan of Arctium lappa, acts in preclinical studies on TLR4/NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, AMPK and Nrf2 signaling, pathways tied to inflammation and oxidative stress. These effects have not been shown in people taking burdock.

3

Inulin-type fructans

Burdock root is a source of inulin-type fructans, fibers described as prebiotic. Their effect has not been measured in the human burdock trials cited here.

4

Antioxidant enzymes

Compared with placebo, the capsule trial found higher superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity and lower malondialdehyde; the tea trial reported higher superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity and lower malondialdehyde without a stated comparison with its control. Preclinical work links arctigenin to the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, but that link is not shown in people.

Clinical trials

1
Burdock Root Tea Versus Plain Water for 42 Days
PubMed

Randomized controlled trial: three cups a day of burdock root tea (2 g per 150 mL boiled water) vs three cups of boiled water for 42 days; all participants also took acetaminophen 500 mg twice daily and glucosamine 500 mg once daily. Outcomes were blood markers: the abstract reports that the tea lowered serum IL-6 (p = 0.002), hs-CRP (p = 0.003) and malondialdehyde (p < 0.001) and raised total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase activity (p = 0.009); glutathione peroxidase rose but not significantly. Pain and joint function were not outcomes. (Maghsoumi-Norouzabad et al. 2016, Int J Rheum Dis)

36 adults (10 men, 26 women) aged 50 to 70 with knee osteoarthritis, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences hospitals, Iran.

The abstract reports changes in the measured blood markers with the tea (listed in the study details) but does not say whether its p values compare the two groups or changes within the tea group, and the full text could not be checked. The control group drank plain water, so the comparison was not blinded, and pain and joint function were not measured.

2
Burdock Root Powder Capsules and Oxidative Stress and CRP
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled: one capsule of 460 mg burdock root powder or 460 mg starch daily for 12 weeks; participants continued metformin and an oral contraceptive. Funded by Arak University of Medical Sciences; no conflicts declared. (Taheri et al. 2026, JBRA Assist Reprod)

60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (30 per group), Arak, Iran; no dropouts.

Compared with placebo, burdock raised superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity and lowered malondialdehyde and C-reactive protein, and ovary volume fell. Hirsutism score (p = 0.08) and menstrual frequency (p = 0.29) did not differ from placebo. No side effects were reported.

3
Long-Term Roasted Burdock Tea and Recurrence in Two Patient Groups
PubMed

Open-label randomized trial: roasted burdock tea (Ajikan) 1.5 g three times daily vs no treatment, started one month after successful initial care. No placebo, so the authors say bias cannot be excluded; more of the tea group had a prior diverticulitis episode (38% vs 18%). No competing interests declared. (Mizuki et al. 2019, Sci Rep)

Japanese patients aged 20 to 85: 70 with colonic diverticular bleeding (35 per group) and 91 with acute colonic diverticulitis (47 tea, 44 control).

Diverticulitis recurred in 5 of 47 (10.6%) in the tea group vs 14 of 44 (31.8%) in the control group (p = 0.013), and recurrence-free time was longer (log rank p = 0.012). Diverticular bleeding recurred in 7 of 35 (20.0%) vs 8 of 35 (22.9%), not a significant difference. The only unintended effect reported across both groups was one case of mild diarrhea.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No side effects were reported in a 12-week trial of 460 mg a day of burdock root powder in 60 women.
Allergic contact dermatitis from burdock has been reported, and the European Medicines Agency lists anaphylactic shock (frequency not known) as an undesirable effect of oral burdock root.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis, with whole-body redness and difficulty breathing) was reported in a 53-year-old man about one hour after eating boiled burdock; it resolved with treatment.
People allergic to chrysanthemums may cross-react to burdock (Memorial Sloan Kettering), and the European Medicines Agency lists allergy to any plant of the Asteraceae (daisy) family as a reason not to use it.
Quality: a commercial burdock tea was found contaminated with atropine, an alkaloid from the belladonna plant, so buy from reputable sources.
Severe low platelet count (immune thrombocytopenia, 5 K/μl) was reported in a woman about 10 days after drinking a 'cleansing' tea bought online that contained yellow dock and burdock; she recovered with a platelet transfusion and dexamethasone. One case cannot prove the tea caused it.
Acute liver injury with a cholestatic pattern was reported in a 36-year-old woman about one month after starting an over-the-counter liver detox tea containing burdock root, stinging nettle leaf, cleavers herb, dandelion root, lemon peel and lemon myrtle leaf; the authors attributed it to the tea as a whole and did not single out one herb. Her liver tests improved after the tea was stopped and she was given a single loading dose of N-acetylcysteine. One case cannot prove which herb, if any, was responsible.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children: in animal experiments burdock root extract stimulated uterine contractions, and Memorial Sloan Kettering advises that pregnant women avoid it. The European Medicines Agency does not recommend it in pregnancy, breastfeeding or under age 18 for lack of data.
Animal studies suggest burdock extract can lower blood sugar, which matters if you take glucose-lowering medicine.

Important Drug interactions

Glucose-lowering medicines: Memorial Sloan Kettering reports that burdock root extract lowered blood sugar in animal experiments; if you take medicine to lower blood sugar, ask a clinician before using burdock and monitor your blood sugar.
Diuretics: the European Medicines Agency says concomitant use of burdock root with synthetic diuretics (water pills) is not recommended.

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Frequently asked questions about Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

What is Burdock Root used for?

Burdock root is promoted as a healthy food in Chinese societies and used in herbal traditions, notably for the skin. In a placebo-controlled trial it lowered blood markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women who kept taking their usual medicines, a smaller tea trial reported similar changes without a clear comparison with its control, and an open-label trial of roasted burdock tea looked at repeat colon episodes. The European Medicines Agency recognizes traditional oral use for oily (seborrheic) skin, based on long-standing use only. No trial cited here tested it for the skin or for detoxification.

What did the human trials of burdock root measure?

Mostly blood markers. A 12-week capsule trial in 60 women found lower C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde and higher antioxidant enzyme activity versus placebo; a 42-day tea trial in 36 adults reported similar changes but did not say whether they were compared with its water control. Pain and joint function were never measured, and hirsutism and menstrual frequency did not differ from placebo.

Is Burdock Root safe, and does it have side effects?

No side effects were reported in a 12-week capsule trial, but allergic contact dermatitis, one case of anaphylaxis, a case of severely low platelets after a yellow dock and burdock tea, and a case of liver injury after a six-herb liver detox tea that included burdock root have been reported. The European Medicines Agency lists anaphylactic shock as a possible effect and advises against it if you are allergic to daisy-family plants, in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and under 18. Check with a clinician if you take glucose-lowering medicine or diuretics.

Why does the source of burdock tea matter?

Memorial Sloan Kettering reports that some burdock teas have been contaminated with alkaloids such as atropine from the belladonna plant, which can affect the nervous system, and notes that poor quality control is a major concern with commercial herbal products. Buy from brands that test their products.

What is Burdock Root?

Burdock root (Arctium lappa) is promoted as a healthy food in Chinese societies, and the European Medicines Agency accepts oral burdock root as a traditional herbal medicine for seborrheic (oily) skin conditions, based on long-standing use alone.

What is the recommended dosage of Burdock Root?

Not established. Human trials used 6 g of dried root a day as three cups of tea (2 g per 150 mL) for 42 days, 460 mg of root powder in one capsule a day for 12 weeks, or 1.5 g of roasted burdock tea three times a day long term. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Does Burdock Root interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Glucose-lowering medicines: Memorial Sloan Kettering reports that burdock root extract lowered blood sugar in animal experiments; if you take medicine to lower blood sugar, ask a clinician before using burdock and monitor your blood sugar. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Burdock Root?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Burdock Root as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 3 study summaries and 10 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(10 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Maghsoumi-Norouzabad L, Alipoor B, Abed R, Eftekhar Sadat B, Mesgari-Abbasi M, Asghari Jafarabadi M. Effects of Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root tea on inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Int J Rheum Dis. 2016;19(3):255-61. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.12477.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized controlled trial in 36 adults with knee osteoarthritis: three cups a day of burdock root tea for 42 days versus plain boiled water, on top of acetaminophen and glucosamine. The abstract reports lower IL-6, hs-CRP and malondialdehyde and higher total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase with tea, and no significant rise in glutathione peroxidase, but does not say whether these p values compare the two groups. Pain and joint function were not measured.
  2. Taheri H, Seydi F, Jalali-Mashayekhi F, Moslemi A, Farahani H, Khosrowbeygi A. Effects of Arctium lappa L. Root Powder on Some Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial Study. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2026;30(2):272-281. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20250189.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind RCT in 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome who continued metformin and an oral contraceptive: 460 mg a day of burdock root powder for 12 weeks raised superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity and lowered malondialdehyde and C-reactive protein versus placebo (independent t-test and ANCOVA), and reduced ovary volume; hirsutism score (ANCOVA p = 0.08) and menstrual frequency (ANCOVA p = 0.29) did not differ. Funded by the Research Council of Arak University of Medical Sciences; no conflicts declared; no side effects or dropouts reported.
  3. Mizuki A, Tatemichi M, Nakazawa A, Tsukada N, Nagata H, Kinoshita Y. Effects of Burdock tea on recurrence of colonic diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding: An open-labelled randomized clinical trial. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):6793. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-43236-0.PubMedUsed to support: Open-label randomized trial in Japanese patients: roasted burdock tea 1.5 g three times daily was associated with fewer diverticulitis recurrences than no treatment (5 of 47 vs 14 of 44), but had no significant effect on recurrence of diverticular bleeding (7 of 35 vs 8 of 35).
  4. Latif A, Fichadiya H, Abid F, Capo G. Herbal Teas and Thrombocytopenia: A Curious Case of Yellow Dock and Burdock-Induced Thrombocytopenia. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2022;9(3):003247. doi: 10.12890/2022_003247.PubMedUsed to support: Case report: a woman developed symptomatic immune thrombocytopenia (platelets 5 K/μl) after drinking a cleansing herbal tea bought online that contained yellow dock and burdock; she recovered with platelet transfusion and dexamethasone. The authors note the link between such herbs and thrombocytopenia has not been studied in detail.
  5. Chan YS, Cheng LN, Wu JH, Chan E, Kwan YW, Lee SM, Leung GP, Yu PH, Chan SW. A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). Inflammopharmacology. 2011;19(5):245-54. doi: 10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4.PubMedUsed to support: Review of compounds and reported effects in burdock root, seed and leaf. Describes the traditional Chinese medicine view that the root detoxifies blood and promotes circulation to the skin, and notes side effects including contact dermatitis and other allergic or inflammatory responses.
  6. Wang G, Ge L, Liu T, Zheng Z, Chen L. The therapeutic potential of arctigenin against multiple human diseases: A mechanistic review. Phytomedicine. 2023;110:154647. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154647.PubMedUsed to support: Review of preclinical studies of arctigenin, a major lignan of Arctium lappa: frequently described pathways are TLR4/NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, AMPK and Nrf2 signaling. Mechanistic background only, not human evidence.
  7. Moro TMA, T P S Clerici M. Burdock (Arctium lappa L) roots as a source of inulin-type fructans and other bioactive compounds: Current knowledge and future perspectives for food and non-food applications. Food Res Int. 2021;141:109889. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109889.PubMedUsed to support: Review describing burdock root as a source of prebiotic fibers (inulin-type fructans), chlorogenic acids, cynarin, lignans and quercetin, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering activity in biological assays; compares it with chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke.
  8. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Burdock (About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products). Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 2023;Last updated March 13, 2023. Accessed October 2026..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; read on the MSK website. Reports a commercial burdock tea contaminated with atropine, allergic contact dermatitis, anaphylaxis in a 53-year-old man after eating boiled burdock, acute liver injury after a multi-herb detox tea containing burdock, possible cross-sensitivity in people allergic to chrysanthemums, animal data on lowered blood sugar and uterine stimulation, and advises avoidance in pregnancy.
  9. Niazi B, Ahmed K, Ahmed M, Ali S, Song K, Elias S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury from Herbal Liver Detoxification Tea. Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2022;16(3):612-617. doi: 10.1159/000526311.PubMedUsed to support: Case report, not a trial: a 36-year-old woman developed acute liver injury with a cholestatic pattern on liver biopsy about one month after starting an over-the-counter herbal liver detox tea whose listed ingredients were burdock root, stinging nettle leaf, cleavers herb, dandelion root, lemon peel and lemon myrtle leaf. The tea was stopped, she received a loading dose of N-acetylcysteine (further doses were held because of nausea and vomiting), and her liver tests and abdominal pain improved over a 12-day hospital stay. The authors attributed the injury to the tea and did not single out any one herb; one case cannot prove cause.
  10. European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Community herbal monograph on Arctium lappa L., radix (EMA/HMPC/246763/2009 Corr.1). European Medicines Agency. 2010;Final, adopted by the HMPC 16 September 2010; published 2011. Accessed October 2026..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; read on the EMA website. EU herbal monograph that accepts oral burdock root preparations (tea, powder, extracts, tinctures) only as traditional herbal medicinal products, exclusively on the basis of long-standing use, for three indications: increasing urine flow in minor urinary complaints, temporary loss of appetite, and seborrheic skin conditions. Lists hypersensitivity to plants of the Asteraceae family as a contraindication, reports anaphylactic shock (frequency not known), does not recommend use under 18 or during pregnancy and breastfeeding for lack of data, says concomitant use with synthetic diuretics is not recommended, and notes that reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity tests have not been performed.