Burdock has been claimed to benefit in a wide variety of conditions,
including arthritis, diabetes, and hair loss. It is also a principal herbal
ingredient in the popular cancer formula such as Essiac and Hoxsey
formulas.

Side Effects of Burdock

In general, use of burdock in recommended doses is safe. However,
improper handling the plant has occasionally been reported to cause
allergic skin reactions.  Unusual side effects or overdose can include
increased urine flow, stomach upset, kidney or liver damage, and
alternation of blood sugar levels [7].

Patients on diabetic treatments or blood pressure lowering therapies
should be cautious on using this herb. Discuss with doctor before use.

Potential Health Benefits of Burdock

Burdock is believed to have anti-cancer benefits.

Burdock has been used in Essiac as an alternative-medicine anti-cancer
therapy. A review of patients taking Essiac shows that there was no
obvious toxicity. [2]

Arctiin, a plant lignan in burdock  (Arctium lappa) seeds, is a possible
environmental endocrine disruptor compounds and have been shown to
influence sex hormone metabolism as well as protein synthesis, steroid
biosynthesis. [2] Japanese researchers have shown that arctiin has a
protective effect on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
-induced carcinogenesis particularly in the mammary gland in rats. [3]
However, it (at 0.1% arctiin) did not any benefits on subsiding prostate
carcinogenesis in SV 40 Tag TG rats. [1]

On the other hand, chlorogenic acid, a chemcial from burdock extract,
shows inhibition on a cancer model. [4]

Burdock extract may have benefit in liver injuries.

Chinese researchers showed its protective effects on ethanol and
CCl(4)-induced liver damage in rats. It could even restore the glutathione
content and affect the histopathological lesions. [5]

Burdock extract showed benefits in gastric ulcers in a rat study.

Russian researchers compared the mechanisms of the gastroprotective
effect of plantaglucid, befungin, plantain juice, extractions of birch bark
(Betula pendula Roth,) and burdock seeds (Arctium tomentosum Mill.) on
various links of gastric ulcer pathogenesis. [6] They found the effects were
different.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR
BEFORE USING BURDOCK OR RELATED PRODUCTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION
2008.

Reference [1] Zeng Y, et al, Lack of significant modifying effect of arctiin on prostate
carcinogenesis in probasin/SV40 T antigen transgenic rats. Cancer Lett. 2005 May
26;222(2):145-51. [2] Essiac for cancer? TreatmentUpdate. 1998 Jul;10(5):4-5. [3]
Hirose M, et al, Effects of arctiin on PhIP-induced mammary, colon and pancreatic
carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats and MeIQx-induced
hepatocarcinogenesis in male F344 rats. Cancer Lett. 2000 Jul 3;155(1):79-88. [4]
Kasai H, et al, Action of chlorogenic acid in vegetables and fruits as an inhibitor of
8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation in vitro and in a rat carcinogenesis model. Food
Chem Toxicol. 2000 May;38(5):467-71. [5] Lin SC, et al, Hepatoprotective effects of
Arctium lappa Linne on liver injuries induced by chronic ethanol consumption and
potentiated by carbon tetrachloride. J Biomed Sci. 2002 Sep-Oct;9(5):401-9. [6]
Os'kina OA, et al, The mechanisms of the anti-ulcer action of plant drug agentsEksp
Klin Farmakol. 1999 Jul-Aug;62(4):37-9. [7] Swanston-Flatt SK et al, Glycaemic
effects of traditional European plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and
streptozotocin diabetic mice. Diabetes Res. 1989 Feb;10(2):69-73.
Burdock Side Effects and Benefits