What is burdock?
Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a herbaceous plant. Like the dandelion or the yarrow, it belongs to the Asteraceae family.
It grows in Asia, North America and Europe, along paths or in meadows. It can be found up to 1,800 meters in elevation.
Reaching up to 2 m in height, it produces flower heads covered with hooks. This allows it to cling to animal fur and disperse its seeds into the wild.
Purple flowers, similar to those of milk thistle, appear from July to September.
While its leaves are edible, it is primarily the root that is used. Indeed, it concentrates most of the plant’s active compounds, notably inulin, a natural fiber rich in prebiotics.
It also contains potassium nitrate, vitamins (B6, B9, C), minerals and trace elements (manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, copper).
Thanks to its detoxifying action, it helps relieve certain skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or acne. It thus eliminates accumulated toxins that ‘suffocate’ the skin and promote blemishes.
It also has an anti-inflammatory action that reduces skin inflammation and acne breakouts.
Finally, it is antibacterial and fights the bacteria responsible for skin diseases including Cutibacterium acnes. That’s why burdock is particularly recommended for acne.
Also read | The best dietary supplements for acne
The roots can be consumed fresh (in a broth, a vegetable stew…) or dried (as an infusion or a decoction).
Burdock is also offered as dietary supplements in the form of capsules, tablets, powder, mother tincture, or ampoules.
Ideally, it should be taken in a 2- to 3-month course. It can be combined with other plants with skin-beneficial properties such as wild pansy, dandelion, or nettle.
Burdock extracts are also found in cosmetic products for oily and acne-prone skin: creams, serums, lotions…
The leaves and roots can also be used as a poultice, directly on the skin and on areas affected by acne.
How does it work to reduce acne ?
It detoxifies the body
A powerful depurative, it stimulates the functions of the excretory organs, such as the liver and kidneys. These are responsible for eliminating accumulated toxins and waste.
Unfortunately, they can become saturated and fail to perform their role. At this stage, secondary excretory organs, like the skin, take over.
Toxin elimination therefore occurs via the skin which results in the appearance of blemishes or acne.
Burdock is therefore interesting because it supports the main elimination organs, « cleans » the blood and the body.
In addition, it contains potassium nitrate, a mineral compound with diuretic and detoxifying action. It promotes the elimination of waste through the urinary and digestive tracts.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is indicated to detoxify the body as shown by this review.
It reduces skin inflammation
The plant has a very interesting anti-inflammatory action in cases of acne. Indeed, this dermatological disease is linked to inflammation in the pilosebaceous follicles.
This results in breakouts, papules, pustules, or even nodules.
The root contains lignans such as arctigenin. These compounds have anti-PAF (platelet-activating factor) activity, a mediator involved in the inflammatory response.
In this study, burdock had beneficial effects on inflammatory acne.
It is antibacterial and anti-biofilm
Finally, the plant exerts an antibacterial action. It fights bacteria responsible for skin diseases such as Cutibacterium acnes, involved in acne.
Elle est aussi anti-biofilm. Lorsque le microbiote cutané est déséquilibré, de fines couches appelées « biofilms » se forment à la surface de la peau. Ces dernières isolent les bactéries et leur permettent de se développer.
By preventing this process, burdock helps reduce acne and restore healthy skin.
This study shows the plant’s antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity.
