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While burdock is classified as an obnoxious and invasive weed in the Americas, I have been growing it for over 30 years in my Garden and have come to know it as a valuable friend. The bright purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves are a visual delight to any garden, but it’s the root of this plant that I have fallen in love with over time. 

Burdock has been used therapeutically for centuries and has been revered in Asia as well as Europe and North America. It has a myriad of uses in cooking and has been used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions as it stimulates immune function and response.

Energetically, root vegetables are good at grounding us. Burdock is no exception and it’s hardiness and strengthening qualities are well-documented.

Burdock is mostly known as the great blood purifier. It contains substances that can remove toxins from the bloodstream and improve blood circulation. In Europe, Burdock root is now being used treat Diabetes by effectively lowering blood sugar levels and lowering the incidence of complications from Diabetes.

Burdock can protect the liver from environmental damage and is used in Japan to treat liver dysfunction. It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities also make it a valuable treatment for skin conditions like acne and excema. Recent studies have also found it highly effective for treatment of burns. Studies now reveal how valuable burdock consumption can be in reducing premature aging by stimulating collagen production and reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the face.

The list of benefits go on and on: Anti-cancerous, digestive aid,  effectively treats scalp conditions, relieves sore throat and tonsillitis and……. can be a natural aphrodisiac!

So, why has burdock been demonized by modern society?  

Cattlemen fear this mighty plant, as it’s flowers latch on to the eye-lids of their cattle and reduce profits. Burdock also gets stuck in harvesting equipment and is difficult to remove.  Farmers are also weary of this plant as it tends to take over their gardens very quickly. One burdock plant can multiply quite easily from season to season. If we learn to manage Burdock in the Garden and consume it regularly, we come to understand why it is regarded as a sacred plant. 

One practical and commercial use of burdock is widely unknown. Did you know that it inspired the invention of velcro fasteners?  In the 1940’s George de Mestral, a Swiss inventor, experimented with burdock burs caught in his dogs fur. He was fascinated how the flowers clung so easily to whatever it came in contact with. He used his microscope to imitate burdock’s qualities in the lab.

Burdock Root is becoming more and more available today in Markets as it’s popularity is increasing. It is best consumed by eating the whole root, including the skin (ignore any recipes that advise peeling before preparing). Look for roots that are vibrant and firm and reject any old limp roots.

When you get home, wash the root thoroughly before preparing it. Burdock can be pickled by grating and combining with other grated vegetables like red cabbage and/or carrot. If you cut it into thin strips, it can be fried with carrot strips and sprinkled with soy sauce to create the popular Japanese dish, Kimpira. Burdock does well in soups, stir fries or cooked with rice or added to noodle dishes. It’s particularly satisfying when cooked with winter squash or sweet potatoes (shown here).