Other Names: Gobo Root • Beggar’s Buttons • Lappa • Fox’s Clote
✨ Energetic & Astrological Profile
Element: Earth
Phase of the Moon: Waning Moon
Zodiac Signs: Virgo, Capricorn, and Taurus. A detoxing ally for Cancer, Scorpio, and Libra.
Planets: Venus, Pluto
Tarot Cards:
🌿 The Empress – nourishment, fertility, deep-rooted healing
🌑 Death – transformation, detox, release
💧 8 of Cups – walking away from what no longer serves
🔥 Knight of Pentacles – grounded progress, persistence
🌍 Habitat & Sensory Nature
Burdock grows like it knows where it belongs — rooted deep in disturbed soils, roadsides, and forest edges across Europe, Asia, and North America. Its velcro-like seed heads love to cling (and remind us to let go).
Flavour: Earthy, slightly sweet, mildly bitter
Temperature: Cool
Humidity: Dry
Tissue State Support: Damp stagnation, toxic heat, skin congestion
🧬 Phytochemistry & Herbal Actions
Constituents:
- Inulin (a prebiotic fibre)
- Polyacetylenes
- Mucilage
- Tannins
- Flavonoids
- Essential oils
Primary Actions:
Alterative • Lymphatic • Hepatic • Diuretic • Antioxidant • Mild laxative • Anti-inflammatory • Skin tonic
💊 Medicinal Benefits
Burdock root is one of those humble but heavy-hitting herbs — it works slow and deep, detoxifying from the inside out. It’s especially beloved for supporting liver health, skin clarity, and lymphatic flow.
🌿 Liver & Detox Support
- Stimulates bile flow
- Aids in removing metabolic waste and toxins
- Supports sluggish or overworked livers
🌿 Skin Health
- Traditionally used for acne, eczema, boils, and psoriasis
- Clears heat and toxins, showing up as skin inflammation
- Often combined with red clover or yellow dock for skin blends
🌿 Lymphatic & Digestive System
- Gently moves the lymphatic system — especially in cases of chronic stagnation
- Promotes healthy digestion, feeds gut flora (thanks to inulin)
- Mildly laxative without being harsh
This is the herb I turn to when someone’s got that “stuck” feeling — physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Burdock doesn’t just sweep the surface — it clears the roots.
🧘 Emotional & Energetic Benefits
Energetically, burdock root grounds and purifies. It helps you release old emotional debris and reconnect with the slow, rooted rhythms of nature.
It’s especially helpful for:
- Feeling bogged down or heavy in the body/mind
- Emotional stagnation or repressed anger
- Post-breakup detox (emotional and hormonal)
- Those doing shadow work or long-term healing
🧒 Child-Friendly Use
🌿 Safe in food-like doses (e.g. in soups or decoctions)
🌿 May support mild skin issues or digestive sluggishness
🌿 Always strain well and start low — high in fibre
⚠️ Contraindications
⚠ May cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to the Asteraceae family
⚠ Can lower blood sugar — use with caution in diabetes
⚠ Avoid during pregnancy unless guided by a professional
🧪 Dosage & Preparation
🌼 Tea (Decoction): 1–2 tsp dried chopped root per cup, simmer 20 min, up to 3x daily
🌼 Tincture: 20–40 drops of 1:5 extract in 25% alcohol, up to 3x daily
🌼 Food: Common in Asian cuisine as Gobo root — steamed, stir-fried, or in broths
🛒 Shop This Herb: Coming soon — Burdock Root blends for deep cleansing, skin clarity, and inner grounding. Join our herbal mailing list to be the first to know when they drop.
🔮 Daz’s Diagnosis
There’s nothing flashy about burdock root — and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. It’s the underground fixer, slowly rewiring your inner landscape while you carry on living.
When folks come to me feeling foggy, broken out, or just off, I whisper, “Let burdock do its thing.”
It’s the herbal equivalent of spring cleaning your insides — without the drama. Just that steady, dependable detox magic.
Disclaimer: The information shared in these plant profiles is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The uses and properties described are based on traditional knowledge, folk practices, and historical sources. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner or clinical herbalist before using any herbs, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.
