What is Burdock Root?

Burdock Root is the dried root of Arctium lappa, Greater Burdock, a tall biennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae). This is the most-used part of the plant in Western herb tradition, and the same root known as gobo in Japanese cooking.

About the plant

Burdock is native to Europe and Asia and now naturalized worldwide. The root grows long and slender, sometimes two feet or more, with a sweet, earthy flavor when fresh. The plant's bristly burrs inspired the invention of Velcro by Swiss engineer George de Mestral in 1948. As gobo, the root is a staple vegetable in Japanese cooking, used in dishes such as kinpira.

Related herbs

• Burdock Leaf — the leaf, with its own traditional uses.
• Burdock Tincture — the root as a liquid extract.

Burdock Root: form & sizes

We carry Burdock Root as organic cut and sifted dried root, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Burdock Root in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity, to preserve its color and aroma.

Burdock Root at a glance

Botanical name

Arctium lappa

Family

Asteraceae

Native region

Europe and northern Asia, now naturalized worldwide

Plant part

root

Sourcing

Organic

Also known as

Greater Burdock, Gobo (Japanese)

Form

cut and sifted dried root

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb