skip navigation, jump to main contentDorothy Bradley Atkins Medicinal Plant Garden, College of Pharmacy, UIC

Burdock (Arctium lappa L.)

Family: Compositae

Medicinal uses: An alterative, diuretic and diaphoretic. Also a mild laxative that aids in the elimination of uric acid (cause of gout). Polyacetylenes give the herb its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Part used medicinally: Root; leaf; fruit

Native origin: Europe

Arctium lappa L.

Arctium lappa L.

Photos: D. Doel Soejarto, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago