Burdock (Arctium lappa) Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain burdock. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with their pharmacist or health care provider before starting.
Scientists have studied burdock for the following health problem: Diabetes | Burdock has been studied as a treatment for diabetes. Research in animals suggests that burdock may alter blood sugar levels. However, data for humans are lacking. Further studies are needed before burdock can be recommended to treat this condition. Diabetes is a serious illness and should be treated under the supervision of qualified health care provider. | Quality-of-life (breast cancer) | Burdock is an ingredient in the popular purported cancer remedy, Essiac. Preliminary study has shown that burdock may have anti-cancer effects and increase the quality-of-life in cancer patients. More study is needed in this area and there are risks involved. |
Burdock has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious or even life-threatening. You should consult a health care provider before taking burdock for any unproven use. Abscesses
Acne
Analgesia
Anorexia
Aphrodisiac
Arthritis
Back pain
Bacterial infections
Baldness
Bladder disorders
Blood thinner
Boils
Burns
Cancer
Canker sores
Catarrh
Common cold
Cosmetic uses
Cough
Cystitis
Dandruff
Detoxification
Diaphoresis (increased sweating)
Diuretic
Dry skin
Eczema
Excess mucus production
Fever
Fluid retention
Fungal infections
Gonorrhea
Gout
Hair tonic
Headache
Hemorrhoids
HIV | Hives
Hormonal effects
Ichthyosis (a skin disorder)
Impotence
Inflammation
Kidney diseases
Kidney stones
Laxative
Lice
Liver disease
Low back pain
Measles
Pain relief
Pleurisy (lung inflammation)
Pneumonia
Protection of liver
Psoriasis
Respiratory infections
Ringworm
Sciatica
Scrapes on the skin
Scurvy
Sebaceous gland overactivity
Skin disorders
Skin moisturizer
Sores
Sterility
Syphilis
Tonsillitis
Ulcers
Upper respiratory infections
Urinary tract infections
Venereal diseases
Warts
Wound healing |
Allergies People with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae and Compositae family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies) may be more likely to have allergic reactions to burdock. Skin allergies to burdock have been reported. Patients with allergies or intolerance to pectin should use caution because certain parts of the burdock plant contain different levels of pectin complex. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) has been associated with burdock. Side Effects Few side effects have occurred from burdock when used at the recommended doses. Drowsiness and slowed heart rate have been reported, but these effects are believed to result from contamination of burdock with other natural products. Rarely, diuretic effects (those that increase urine production) or estrogenlike effects may occur. These effects were reported only in people with HIV. Several cases of burdock root tea poisoning have been reported. Cases of burdock ophthalmia also exist. There have been several reports of stomatitis present in dogs who have come in contact with burdock, burs, and bristles. In theory, burdock may alter blood sugar levels. In some studies, burdock lowered blood sugar levels in animals, whereas in other studies, burdock elevated blood sugar levels. Adequate studies in humans are lacking. In theory, burdock may increase the risk of bleeding. You may need to stop taking burdock before some surgeries; discuss this with your health care provider. Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided when driving or operating heavy machinery. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Burdock cannot be recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding because of the risk of spontaneous abortion. Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with your health care provider or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs Burdock may alter blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are also taking prescription drugs that may lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by their health care provider while using burdock. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Burdock may, in theory, increase the effects (and side effects) of estrogens or diuretics. Caution is advised if you are taking birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy or diuretics. If you are considering using burdock, discuss this with your health care provider because dosing adjustments may be necessary. In theory, burdock may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs. Examples include warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Some pain relievers may also increase the risk of bleeding if used with burdock. Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox). This is based on studies in animals and has not been evaluated in humans. The high alcohol content in some burdock tinctures may lead to vomiting if used with the drug disulfiram (Antabuse) or metronidazole (Flagyl). Antibiotics, anti-gout drugs, antineoplastics, and antiretrovirals may interact with burdock. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Burdock may alter blood sugar levels. People using other herbs or supplements that may alter blood sugar levels, such as bitter melon ( Momordica charantia), should be closely monitored by their health care provider while using burdock. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. In theory, burdock may possess estrogenlike effects. If you are considering taking burdock and use other herbs or supplements that possess estrogenlike properties, such as soy or red clover ( Trifolium pratense), discuss this with your health care provider. It is also possible that burdock may increase the diuretic effects of other herbs such as licorice. If you use these products, you should be monitored closely by your health care provider for dehydration or electrolyte disturbances. Based on animal studies, burdock may, in theory, increase the risk of bleeding when also taken with other products that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include Gingko biloba and garlic ( Allium sativum). Antibacterials, antigout herbs and supplements, anti-inflammatories, antineoplastics, antioxidants, antivirals, ginger and nondigestible oligosaccharides may interact with burdock.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care provider before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. For Diabetes Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Tablets/capsules: A dose of two 425- to 475-milligram capsules three times per day taken by mouth has been used. Dried root: A dose of two to six grams daily taken by mouth has been used. Tincture: Doses of eight to 12 milliliters (1:5) three times per day, two to eight milliliters (1:10 in 25 percent alcohol) three times daily or 0.25 to one teaspoon (1:10 in 45 percent alcohol) three times daily taken by mouth have been used. (One teaspoon equals approximately four to five milliliters.) Tea: Doses of two to six grams of dried root in 500 milliliters of water three times daily, one cup three to four times daily or one teaspoon boiled in three cups of water for 30 minutes, up to three cups daily, taken by mouth have been used. Decoction: A dose of 500 milliliters (1:20) daily or two to six grams of dried root three times daily taken by mouth has been used. Fluid extract: A dose of two to eight milliliters (1:1 in 25 percent alcohol) three times daily taken by mouth has been used. (One teaspoon equals approximately four to five milliliters.) Compress: Burdock may be applied to the skin as a compress, although no specific dosing regimen has been established. Children (Younger Than 18) The dosing and safety of burdock have not been studied thoroughly in children, and burdock is therefore not recommended.
Although burdock has been suggested for many conditions, it has been most studied as a treatment for diabetes. Burdock may alter blood sugar levels, but existing studies are unclear, and there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend its use for treating any medical condition at this time. Diabetes is a serious illness and should be treated under the supervision of a qualified health care provider. Burdock should be avoided in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children. Remember that tinctures can contain large amounts of alcohol and may cause nausea or vomiting if taken with the drugs disulfiram or metronidazole. Burdock should be used only in recommended doses. Consult your health care provider immediately if you experience side effects. Many interactions are possible. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Burdock Natural Standard has reviewed all of the currently available medical literature to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Flickinger EA, Hatch TF, Wofford RC, et al. In vitro fermentation properties of selected fructooligosaccharide-containing vegetables and in vivo colonic microbial populations are affected by the diets of healthy human infants. J Nutr 2002;Aug, 132(8):2188-2194.
- Holetz FB, Pessini GL, Sanches NR, et al. Screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2002;Oct, 97(7):1027-1031.
- Lin CC, Lu JM, Yang JJ, et al. Anti-inflammatory and radical scavenge effects of Arctium lappa. Am J Chin Med 1996;24(2):127-137.
- Lin SC, Chung TC, Lin CC, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Am J Chin Med 2000;28(2):163-173.
- Natural Standard Research Collaboration, Chief Editors: Ulbricht C, Basch E, Natural Standard Herb and Supplement Reference – Evidence-Based Clinical Reviews, USA: Elsevier/Mosby, 2005.
- Sasaki Y, Kimura Y, Tsunoda T, Tagami H. Anaphylaxis due to burdock. Int J Dermatol 2003;Jun, 42(6):472-473.
- Xie LH, Ahn EM, Akao T, et al. Transformation of arctiin to estrogenic and antiestrogenic substances by human intestinal bacteria. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2003;Apr, 51(4):378-384.
- Zick SM, Sen A, Feng Y, et al. Trial of Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer (TEA-BC). J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Dec;12(10):971-80.
Last updated September 04, 2008
| 
