Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)
Also called burdock, burdock root, Arctium lappa, gobo, burdock root tea, Arctium majus.
Best grade C across 4 graded outcomes Botanical Last checked
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The short answer
From 11 sourcesBurdock root is a food in Asia and a common herbal tea. Small trials found lower inflammation markers with root tea in knee osteoarthritis and with 460 mg of root powder in PCOS, and fewer diverticulitis recurrences with daily tea in an open-label trial. Some burdock teas have been contaminated with atropine from belladonna, and allergy is reported.
Quick pick
From a partner brand · paid link
NOW Foods Burdock Root 430 mg, 100 veg capsules
from HerbsPro
Label: 860 mg burdock root (Arctium lappa) per 2-capsule serving.
Best for trying one bottle: $7.48 one-time (checked Oct 17, 2026).
Every graded outcome on this page
4 rows · line = participants- CGrade CRecurrence of diverticulitis and diverticular bleedingDiverticulitisn 161
- CGrade COxidative stress, inflammation and ovarian volume in PCOSPCOSn 60
- DGrade DInflammation and oxidative-stress markers in knee osteoarthritisKnee osteoarthritisn 36
- DGrade DH. pylori breath test and inflammationH. pylorin 36
Key facts
- What it is
- Root of Arctium lappa; eaten as food in Asia for centuries and sold as tea and capsules1
- Knee osteoarthritis (36 adults)
- 3 cups of root tea a day for 42 days lowered IL-6 and hs-CRP vs hot water2
- PCOS (60 women)
- 460 mg root powder a day for 12 weeks lowered CRP and malondialdehyde and shrank ovarian volume vs placebo3
- Diverticulitis (open-label)
- Recurrence 10.6% with tea vs 31.8% without; no effect on diverticular bleeding4
What it is
Burdock is the root of Arctium lappa, eaten as a vegetable (gobo) in Asia and sold as a tea, powder or capsule.
How it works
ProposedBurdock contains lignans such as arctiin and arctigenin, polyacetylenes and chlorogenic acid. In lab and animal studies these lowered inflammatory signals such as nitric oxide, TNF-alpha and IL-6; human trials measured only blood markers, and links to symptoms are unproven.1
Forms, side by side
2 forms named in our sources. The rest show what our data holds, and say plainly where it holds nothing yet.
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) forms compared
2 forms| 2 forms | Dried burdock root tea | Burdock root powder capsules |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption in people | Not measured; trials tracked blood markers and recurrence.24 | Not measured; the trial tracked oxidative-stress markers and ovarian volume.3 |
| GI tolerance | Used for 42 days to about 2 years in the tea trials; the abstracts do not report adverse events.24 | Not detailed in the PCOS abstract.3 |
| Studied for | Knee osteoarthritis markers, diverticulitis recurrence | PCOS markers |
- Dried burdock root tea
- Burdock root powder capsules
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form line shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Trial map
4 graded outcomes, largest study first4 graded outcomes: 3 improved, 1 mixed. The largest, a 2019 randomized trial of 161 people on recurrence of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding, found mixed results.
1Recurrence of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding
Mixed · Grade C · RCT, 161 people, 2019
Adults newly diagnosed with colonic diverticular bleeding (91) or acute diverticulitis (70)
Dose, result and source| Outcome | Found | People | Study | Who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recurrence of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding | Mixed | 161 | Grade C · RCT, 2019 | Adults newly diagnosed with colonic diverticular bleeding (91) or acute diverticulitis (70) |
| Oxidative stress, inflammation and ovarian volume in PCOS | Improved | 60 | Grade C · RCT, 2026 | Women with polycystic ovary syndrome |
| H. pylori breath test and inflammation | Improved | 36 | Grade D · RCT, 2018 | Adults with asymptomatic H. pylori infection |
| Inflammation and oxidative-stress markers in knee osteoarthritis | Improved | 36 | Grade D · RCT, 2016 | Adults aged 50 to 70 with knee osteoarthritis, all on acetaminophen and glucosamine |
Every graded row
4 rowsShowing 4 of 4 outcomes. Human trials only.
CGrade CRecurrence of diverticulitis and diverticular bleedingDiverticulitisFewer diverticulitis recurrencesRCT
n 161 · 2019
Mixed Diverticulitis recurred in 10.6% (5 of 47) with tea vs 31.8% (14 of 44) with no treatment, with longer recurrence-free time (p = 0.012); diverticular bleeding recurrence did not differ.
- Design
- RCT, n = 161, 2019
- Population
- Adults newly diagnosed with colonic diverticular bleeding (91) or acute diverticulitis (70)
- Form
- Burdock tea
- Dose
- 1.5 g three times a day
- Duration
- Daily; median follow-up 22 to 30 months
- Source
- Reference 4 · PubMed 31043657 (opens PubMed)
CGrade COxidative stress, inflammation and ovarian volume in PCOSPCOSLower CRP, smaller ovariesRCT
n 60 · 2026
Improved SOD and catalase rose and malondialdehyde and C-reactive protein fell (p < 0.001) vs placebo, and right and left ovarian volume fell (p = 0.02, p = 0.01).
- Design
- RCT, n = 60, 2026
- Population
- Women with polycystic ovary syndrome
- Form
- Burdock root powder capsules
- Dose
- 460 mg a day
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Source
- Reference 3 · PubMed 41757842 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DInflammation and oxidative-stress markers in knee osteoarthritisKnee osteoarthritisLower inflammation markersRCT
n 36 · 2016
Improved IL-6 (p = 0.002), hs-CRP (p = 0.003) and malondialdehyde (p < 0.001) fell and total antioxidant capacity and SOD rose vs hot water; GPX did not change significantly.
- Design
- RCT, n = 36, 2016
- Population
- Adults aged 50 to 70 with knee osteoarthritis, all on acetaminophen and glucosamine
- Form
- Burdock root tea
- Dose
- 3 cups a day, each 2 g root in 150 mL boiled water
- Duration
- 42 days
- Source
- Reference 2 · PubMed 25350500 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DH. pylori breath test and inflammationH. pyloriLower breath-test valuesRCT
n 36 · 2018
Improved Urea breath test values and inflammatory markers fell and antioxidant capacity rose vs placebo.
- Design
- RCT, n = 36, 2018
- Population
- Adults with asymptomatic H. pylori infection
- Form
- Burdock complex (burdock, angelica, gromwell and sesame oil)
- Dose
- Not stated in the abstract
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Source
- Reference 5 · PubMed 29520881 (opens PubMed)
Small burdock-plus-exercise trials in older women
2 notesTwo Korean four-group trials (exercise, burdock, both, or neither) had about 5 to 11 women per group, too few to grade as outcomes.
- Blood lipids
- In 40 women aged 70 to 80, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL fell significantly over 12 weeks only in the groups that did aqua exercise, with or without burdock; pulse wave velocity did not change in any group.10
- Body fat and hormones
- In older women with metabolic syndrome, 16 weeks of burdock root extract raised SHBG and estradiol and was the only intervention that raised DHEA-S; abdominal fat fell significantly only in the aqua-exercise-alone group, and combining the two had no added effect on hormones.11
What the numbers add up to
Each point is worked out from the data and the sources numbered on this page, with the arithmetic shown under it. It adds no new data and is not medical advice.
Studied doses
Doses used in research, shown against the official limits. They describe the studies, not a recommendation for you.
Studied doses in research, not advice. These are amounts used in research, not personal advice. Your clinician or pharmacist can say what fits you.
Doses studied in human trials
Interactions and safety
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
Interactions
0 agentsNone found in our sources.
Check with what you take
Kept on this device onlyAdd what you take. We list every interaction our evidence profiles cite between Burdock Root and your picks, and between your picks.
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Add a supplement or medicine you take to check it against Burdock Root.
Starting from one medicine? The interaction checker rates how serious each pair is, on a curated list of 19 entries for 11 medicines. This cabinet has no severity rating: it lists every interaction row our supplement pages cite.
Who should be careful
6 groups- Allergy to chrysanthemums or burdock
- MSK notes possible cross-sensitivity in people allergic to chrysanthemums; anaphylaxis after eating boiled burdock and allergic contact dermatitis are reported.16
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- MSK advises avoiding burdock in pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus and raise the risk of premature delivery, based on animal data. We found no data on burdock while breastfeeding; LactMed has no burdock entry.1
- Contaminated teas
- A 1978 JAMA report described poisoning from a commercial burdock root tea contaminated with atropine; MSK notes atropine from the belladonna plant can affect the nervous system and calls quality control a major concern.71
- Detox teas and the liver
- MSK reports acute liver injury in a woman using a herbal liver detox tea that contained burdock; it eased after stopping.1
- Diabetes medicines
- In animal experiments burdock root extract lowered blood sugar (MSK); this has not been tested with glucose-lowering drugs in people.1
- Medicines and surgery
- NCCIH advises telling your health care providers about every supplement you use.8
How to read the label
What to check on the Supplement Facts panel.
How to read the label
1 checksWhere to buy Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)
Products from brands we partner with that contain Burdock Root (Arctium lappa). Check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) products from partner brands
1 product Paid links · we earn a commission- Quick pickHerbsProNOW Foods Burdock Root 430 mg, 100 veg capsules
860 mg burdock root (Arctium lappa) per 2-capsule serving; almost twice the 460 mg PCOS trial dose, far below the 4.5 to 6 g of root used as tea in other trials
$7.48one-timeChecked Oct 17, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions; the numbers link to the sources below.
Common questions
7 answersDoes burdock root help arthritis?
In 36 adults with knee osteoarthritis, 3 cups of root tea a day for 42 days lowered IL-6 and CRP vs hot water. The abstract reports no pain scores.2
Is burdock good for PCOS?
One double-blind trial in 60 women found 460 mg of root powder a day for 12 weeks lowered CRP and oxidative markers and reduced ovarian volume vs placebo. It has not been repeated.3
Can burdock tea reduce diverticulitis flare-ups?
In an open-label trial, diverticulitis recurred in 10.6% of people drinking 1.5 g of tea three times a day vs 31.8% with no treatment; bleeding recurrence did not change.4
Does burdock detox the liver?
No human trial on this page tested detoxification. The one liver report MSK lists is an injury linked to a detox tea that contained burdock.1
Does burdock lower cholesterol, blood sugar or body fat?
Is burdock root safe?
Does burdock interact with medicines?
No drug interaction is documented in the sources we checked. Burdock lowered blood sugar in animal studies, so its effect alongside diabetes medicines is untested in people.1
Sources
11 sources: trial abstracts, NIH fact sheets and reference databases. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited on this page
11 sources- 1Burdock: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More (About Herbs, last updated March 13, 2023)Database Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2023 · mskcc.org
- 2Effects of Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root tea on inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis.RCT Int J Rheum Dis, 2016 · PMID 25350500
- 3Effects 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.RCT JBRA Assist Reprod, 2026 · PMID 41757842
- 4Effects of Burdock tea on recurrence of colonic diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding: An open-labelled randomized clinical trial.RCT Sci Rep, 2019 · PMID 31043657
- 5Beneficial effect of Burdock complex on asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.RCT Helicobacter, 2018 · PMID 29520881
- 6Anaphylaxis due to burdock.Observational Int J Dermatol, 2003 · PMID 12786879
- 7Burdock root tea poisoning. Case report involving a commercial preparation.Observational JAMA, 1978 · PMID 642161
- 8Using Dietary Supplements WiselyFact sheet National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 2019 · nccih.nih.gov
- 9NOW Foods Burdock Root 430 mg, 100 veg capsules: Supplement Facts (read 2026-10-17)Label HerbsPro product page, 2026 · herbspro.com
- 10Effects of aquarobic exercise and burdock intake on serum blood lipids and vascular elasticity in Korean elderly women.RCT Exp Gerontol, 2018 · PMID 29154814
- 11Exercise training and burdock root (Arctium lappa L.) extract independently improve abdominal obesity and sex hormones in elderly women with metabolic syndrome.RCT Sci Rep, 2021 · PMID 33664334
What changed
Every dated change to this page: what changed, who made it and why.
Change log
2 entries| Date | Change | Who and why |
|---|---|---|
| who should avoid, research notes, FAQ, questions, related | Pregnancy note now covers breastfeeding (no data; no LactMed entry). Added a research note on two small Korean burdock-plus-exercise trials in older women (lipids fell only with exercise; burdock alone raised SHBG and DHEA-S), not graded because each arm had about 5 to 11 women. Added FAQ items on cholesterol, blood sugar and body fat and on drug interactions, page questions and goal-hub links. Interactions checked: no LiverTox, LactMed, NCCIH or MedlinePlus entry for burdock, and the MSK monograph (re-opened 2026-10-21, updated March 2023) lists no herb-drug interactions, so the list stays empty. PubMed search (2023–2026, RCT/meta-analysis) found only the 2026 PCOS trial already in the table; a 2022 arterial-stiffness trial from the same group (PMID 36295873, combination with exercise only), a multi-herb menopause capsule and topical skin products were not added. | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: A–Z audit against docs/supplements/AUDIT-STANDARD.md |
| all | Initial editorial evidence review. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities esummary (title, year, journal) and each cited abstract read; numbers taken from the abstracts. Safety and mechanism from Memorial Sloan Kettering's About Herbs monograph (updated 2023-03-13) plus case reports. The multi-herb H. pylori blend is marked not specific to burdock and the diverticulitis trial as open-label. Where to buy: NOW Foods Burdock Root 430 mg (checked 2026-10-17), label facts only. Adversarial review 2026-10-17: atropine/belladonna contamination wording sharpened, animal blood-sugar caution added (MSK), and the capsule-vs-PCOS-dose comparison corrected (860 mg is almost twice 460 mg). | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: new page |
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