Burdock: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Herb for ringworm, herb of ringworm, Burdock
Scientific name(s)
Arctium lappa, Arctium minus, Arctium tomentosum
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Phenolic acids
Flavonoids
Tannins
Lignans
Sterols
Terpene lactones
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
A very small study conducted in women aged 39 to 65 shows that applying an emulsion containing fruit extract from burdock at 1.2% to the face twice daily for 4 weeks slightly reduces wrinkles of the skin around the eyes compared with a placebo.
Posologie
Topical: fruit
4 - weeks
cream
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
Due to its sebo-regulatory and antibacterial properties, burdock is traditionally indicated for superinfected acne in adolescents and adults.
Posologie
Oral: root
350 - 1050 mg
4 - weeks
Adolescents, Adults
powder, dry extract
Eczema ✪✪✪✪✪
Because of its anti-inflammatory and sebo-regulatory properties, burdock is traditionally used in eczema and other seborrheic skin conditions.
Posologie
Oral: root
350 - 1050 mg
Adolescents, Adults
powder, dry extract
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
Burdock root is used on the skin to regulate sebum secretion. More generally, burdock can be used for dermatoses associated with metabolic conditions, thanks to its properties related to blood glucose (hypoglycemic) and the liver (hepatoprotective).
Posologie
Oral use: root
350 - 1050 mg
Adolescents, Adults
powder, dry extract
Urinary disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Burdock root is traditionally used for its effects on kidney function. Due to its diuretic property, it increases urine volume, promoting the elimination of microbes during urinary tract infections.
Posologie
Oral use: root
350 - 1050 mg
Adolescents, Adults
powder, dry extract
Detoxification ✪✪✪✪✪
Burdock promotes the elimination of the body's wastes through urine, feces, and sweat, notably thanks to its diuretic, choleretic, and laxative properties. Studies support this use. The constituents of the root cause an increase in bile secretion in the liver, and at the renal level, the excretion of uric acid in the urine. Burdock root also reduces the risk of kidney stones.
Posologie
Oral use: root
350 - 1050 mg
Adolescents, Adults
powder, dry extract
Gout ✪✪✪✪✪
The use of burdock may reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of gout symptoms. It has a draining effect. Burdock root promotes the urinary elimination of uric acid crystals responsible for gout. Phytotherapists such as Valnet also recommended the topical application of the fresh plant for rheumatic pain.
Posologie
Oral use: root
350 - 1050 mg
Adolescents, Adults
powder, dry extract
Properties
Dermatological effect
Burdock is cleansing and detoxifying: by stimulating the eliminatory functions of the liver and kidneys, it helps prevent skin disorders. nnTopically, the root is used to regulate sebum secretion and to promote abscess maturation and the elimination of pus.nn
Usages associés
Depurative
Burdock promotes the elimination of the body's waste through urine, feces, and sweat, notably thanks to its diuretic, choleretic, and mildly laxative properties.nn
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Various burdock root extracts have shown antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo.nnThis antioxidant activity is due partly to the ability to trap free radicals and partly to the increase of endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione.nn
Diuretic
Rich in inulin, potassium nitrate, as well as organic acids, the roots have diuretic properties confirmed in vivo.nn
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Burdock has anti-inflammatory properties, notably through an anti-PAF (platelet-activating factor) action thanks to the lignans it contains.nnIn vivo, administration of burdock root powder has been shown to reduce intestinal inflammation, this effect being linked to a decreased production of cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α.nn
Usages associés
Antibacterial
Polyacetylenic derivatives derived only from the fresh root exert some antibacterial activity in vitro (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri and S. sonnei).
Usages associés
Hepatoprotective
Burdock protects hepatic cells from damage induced by hepatotoxic substances. This effect is due to sesquiterpene lactones and the antioxidant properties of the plant. Furthermore, the alcohols and acids in the root help stimulate bile production; this choleretic action of Burdock is similar to that of its cousin, the artichoke.
Usages associés
Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa Linne on liver injuries induced by chronic ethanol consumption and potentiated by carbon tetrachloride
Hypoglycemic
Traditionally, burdock root has been used to reduce hyperglycemia. It limits the increase in blood glucose after carbohydrate ingestion. In vivo studies have shown that the intake of inulin could explain this effect.
Usages associés
Antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa root's hydro-alcoholic extract on nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced type 2 model of diabetes in male mice
Safe dosage
Adult (from 18 years): 1.05 g - 1.75 g (powder)
The use of burdock is not recommended in people under 18 years of age due to insufficient data. The daily dose (according to the EMA) is 350 mg 3 to 5 times per day for the powder form, or an infusion of 2 to 6 g, 3 times per day. In mother tincture: 3 times 50 drops per day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant: moderate interaction
Theoretically, taking burdock with an anticoagulant may increase the risk of bleeding due to decreased platelet aggregation.
Antidiabetic agents: moderate interaction
Theoretically, taking burdock in combination with antidiabetic medications may have additive effects and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.nnIndividuals on antidiabetic treatment should use burdock with caution.
Precautions
Child up to 18 years: avoid
The few studies conducted in children to date do not provide enough data to exclude any risk associated with the use of this plant.
Renal colic: avoid
People who are having an attack of urinary stones (renal colic) should avoid taking burdock. Indeed, if there is an obstruction of the urinary tract, taking fluids or diuretics will cause an increase in pressure upstream of the obstruction and lead to significant pain.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: contraindicated
Given a possible stimulating effect on uterine contractions, burdock is not recommended for pregnant women.
Breastfeeding women: contraindicated
The few studies conducted in breastfeeding women to date do not provide enough data to exclude any risk associated with the use of this plant.
