Burdock

Burdock (Arctium spp.) – A biennial plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Europe and Asia. It has large, coarse, heart-shaped dark green leaves that can grow up to 70 cm long, with woolly undersides and hollow leafstalks. The plant flowers from July through October, providing pollen and nectar for honeybees. The prickly burs are known for clinging to fur and clothing, which inspired the invention of hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro). The taproot of young plants is eaten as a root vegetable in East Asian cuisine (known as gobō in Japan). In traditional herbal history, burdock root has been used as a bittering agent in beer and as a scalp oil in Europe, while the seeds appear in traditional Chinese medicine. The green above-ground portions may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals due to naturally occurring lactones. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational and historical use only. Consult a qualified professional before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.