Burdock
Also known as arctium lappa, burdock, burdock root, gobo root
Key takeaways
- Burdock root tea may improve inflammatory markers in knee osteoarthritis patients (PMID: 25350500).
- Burdock intake combined with aquarobic exercise may affect blood lipids and vascular elasticity (PMID: 29154814).
- Aqueous extract of burdock root enhances chondrogenesis in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMID: 33228629).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 6 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Burdock root (Arctium lappa L.) is a traditional herbal supplement studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chondrogenic properties. Current research suggests potential benefits for joint health and metabolic markers, though high-quality human clinical evidence is limited.
By condition
Knee Osteoarthritis
Weak
Burdock root tea may reduce inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Metabolic Health
Weak
Combined with exercise, burdock intake may influence serum blood lipids and vascular elasticity in elderly women.
Cartilage Regeneration
Insufficient
In vitro evidence suggests burdock root extract enhances chondrogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells.
Effective doses
Specific standardized dosages are not provided in the provided abstracts; one study utilized burdock root tea.
Safety & interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications were detailed in the provided abstracts; however, users should consult a healthcare provider due to the lack of comprehensive safety data.
Limitations
The available evidence is heavily reliant on animal models and in vitro studies, with very few small-scale human RCTs. There is a lack of large-scale, rigorous clinical trials to establish efficacy and optimal dosing.
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Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 6 sources, sorted by quality
**Maghsoumi-Norouzabad et al., 2016** | Int J Rheum Dis | Rct Maghsoumi-Norouzabad Leila, Alipoor Beitollah, ... Asghari Jafarabadi Mohammad. Effects of Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root tea on inflammatory status and oxidative stress in pati…
**Ha et al., 2018** | Exp Gerontol | Rct Ha Min-Seong, Kim Ji-Hyeon, ... Kim Do-Yeon. Effects of aquarobic exercise and burdock intake on serum blood lipids and vascular elasticity in Korean elderly women. Exp Gerontol. 2018-Jan;101:63-68. …
**Wu et al., 2020** | BMC Complement Med Ther | Other Wu King-Chuen, Weng Hung-Kai, ... Wang Yang-Kao. Aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. root (burdock) enhances chondrogenesis in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. BMC Compl…
**Romualdo et al., 2020** | Environ Toxicol | Other Romualdo Guilherme R, Silva Elizangela Dos Anjos, ... Cogliati Bruno. Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) root attenuates preneoplastic lesion development in a diet and thioacetamide-induced model …
**Chan et al., 2011** | Inflammopharmacology | Narrative Review Chan Yuk-Shing, Cheng Long-Ni, ... Chan Shun-Wan. A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). Inflammopharmacology. 2011-Oct;19(5):245-54. doi:10.1007/s…
**Rieman et al., 2014** | J Burn Care Res | Other Rieman Mary T, Neely Alice N, ... Kagan Richard J. Amish burn ointment and burdock leaf dressings: assessments of antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. J Burn Care Res. 2014;35(4):e217-23.…
Frequently asked questions
What is Burdock Root and what is it used for?
Burdock root (Arctium lappa L.) is a traditional herbal supplement studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chondrogenic properties. It is primarily researched for potential benefits regarding joint health and metabolic markers, although high-quality human clinical evidence remains limited.
Does Burdock Root help with knee osteoarthritis?
There is weak evidence suggesting that burdock root tea may reduce inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, because the evidence is limited, it should not be considered a primary treatment for this condition.
Can Burdock Root improve metabolic health or blood lipids?
Research indicates weak evidence that burdock intake, when combined with exercise, may influence serum blood lipids and vascular elasticity in elderly women. The evidence is limited, so it is not a standalone solution for metabolic health.
What is the effective dose of Burdock Root?
Specific standardized dosages are not provided in the current research abstracts. One study utilized burdock root tea, but consumers should consult a healthcare provider for personalized dosage advice due to the lack of comprehensive data.
Is Burdock Root safe to take with other medications?
No specific drug interactions or contraindications were documented in the provided sources, but comprehensive safety data is lacking. Users should consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if they are on medications or have underlying health conditions.
Who should avoid taking Burdock Root?
Due to the lack of comprehensive safety data, pregnant or breastfeeding women and individuals on medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. It is generally advised to avoid the supplement without professional medical guidance.
Does Burdock Root help regenerate cartilage?
Evidence for cartilage regeneration is currently insufficient. While in vitro studies suggest burdock root extract may enhance chondrogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells, this has not been confirmed in human clinical trials.