Ayurvedic Herb

Burdock Root

BotanicalArctium lappaAlso calledBurdock, Gobo, Lappa

A long, earthy root eaten as a vegetable in Japan and valued in Western Ayurveda for clear skin and cool, settled blood.

Burdock Root, root

Burdock is the plant behind the sticky burrs that cling to your socks on an autumn walk. Underground it grows a long, slender root with a sweet, earthy flavor. In Japan it is a regular vegetable called gobo, sliced thin and simmered with carrots and soy sauce.

It is not a classical Ayurvedic herb. Modern Ayurvedic teachers describe it as bitter, slightly sweet and cooling, and connect it with rakta dhatu, the blood tissue. In practice that means burdock shows up when the skin and the temper both run a little hot.

Ayurvedic Properties

Not described in classical Ayurveda; modern Ayurvedic writers describe it as bitter, pungent and sweet in taste and cooling, with a pungent post-digestive effect (Frawley and Lad, The Yoga of Herbs, and other modern Ayurvedic teachers).

RasaTastes
  • Bitter
  • Pungent
  • Sweet
ViryaHeating or cooling
Cooling
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Pungent
AgniEffect on digestion
Gently supports agni

Its bitter taste gently wakes up digestion without adding heat.

GunaQualities
  • Light
  • Dry
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: increases in excess
  • Pitta: decreases
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Burdock's bitter coolness suits pitta and its lightness helps kapha. Because it is drying, vata types are better off enjoying it as a cooked vegetable in a warm, oily dish than as a strong daily tea.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support clear, calm skin.
  • Traditionally used to support rakta dhatu, the blood tissue, in Western Ayurvedic practice.
  • Traditionally used to support the liver's natural rhythms.
  • Traditionally used to support healthy digestion as a nourishing root vegetable.

How People Use It

  • TeaSimmer 1 teaspoon of dried cut root in 2 cups of water for 15 to 20 minutes. It is mild, earthy and slightly sweet.
  • FoodFresh burdock root can be peeled, cut into matchsticks and sauteed or simmered in soups and stir-fries.
  • WaterSome people keep a jar of weak burdock and dandelion decoction in the fridge in summer and sip it at room temperature.
Try This

Burdock and Carrot Kinpira

A warm, simple root side dish, gentle enough for vata.

  • 1 fresh burdock root (about 8 inches), scrubbed
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil or ghee
  • 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  1. Scrape the skin off the burdock with the back of a knife and cut it into thin matchsticks. Cut the carrot the same way.
  2. Warm the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the burdock first and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until it softens.
  3. Add the carrot and cook 2 more minutes, then add the tamari and maple syrup and stir until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
  4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve warm alongside rice.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Do not use burdock during pregnancy. It may stimulate the uterus. Safety while breastfeeding is not known, so check with your doctor first.
  • If you are allergic to chrysanthemums or other daisy family plants, you may also react to burdock. Allergic skin reactions and, rarely, a severe allergic reaction have been reported.
  • Some burdock teas have been found contaminated with belladonna, a toxic plant. Buy only from a trusted, tested source.
  • A case of liver injury has been reported after drinking a multi-herb tea that contained burdock. Stop and see your doctor if you notice yellowing skin, dark urine or unusual tiredness.
  • In animal studies burdock lowered blood sugar, so talk with your doctor if you take diabetes medicine.
  • Please consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor before using burdock regularly.

In Our Shop

Organic Burdock Root

Organic Burdock Root, from $4.75. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.

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From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.