TCM Properties

Traditional Use

Disperses Wind-Heat and benefits the throat — used for sore throat, tonsillitis, fever, and cough from Wind-Heat invasion
Clears Heat and relieves toxicity — used for carbuncles, mumps, toxic swellings, and parotid gland inflammation
Vents rashes — promotes full expression of measles and febrile rashes in early-stage incomplete eruption
Moistens the Intestines and facilitates bowel movements — used for constipation with dry, difficult-to-pass stools

Disperses Lung Qi and stops cough — useful for cough with sticky or difficult-to-expectorate phlegm
Reduces swelling of lymph nodes and parotid glands in throat-related conditions

Yin Qiao San (银翘散) — Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder; treats Wind-Heat exterior pattern with sore throat, fever, and headache
Xiao Feng San (消风散) — Eliminate Wind Powder; treats Wind-Heat skin rashes, itching, and urticaria

Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica, Li Shizhen, 1596) — recorded actions for dispersing Wind-Heat and relieving throat toxicity
Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases, Wu Jutong, 1798) — key ingredient in Yin Qiao San formula for Wind-Heat febrile diseases

Arctiin — major lignan constituent; anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity
Arctigenin — primary active metabolite of arctiin; anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective
Chlorogenic acid — antioxidant phenolic acid; inhibits lipid peroxidation
Caffeoylquinic acid derivatives — potent free-radical scavenging antioxidants
Flavonoids (quercetin, rutin) — anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Fructo-oligosaccharides (inulin-type) — prebiotic fiber supporting gut microbiome

Anti-inflammatory — arctigenin inhibits NF-κB pathway and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6)
Antimicrobial — active against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and several pathogenic fungal strains
Antioxidant — chlorogenic acid and caffeoylquinic derivatives demonstrate significant free-radical scavenging capacity
Anticancer — arctigenin exhibits antiproliferative activity against multiple cancer cell lines in vitro
Anti-diabetic — reduces fasting blood glucose and improves insulin sensitivity in animal models
Hepatoprotective — arctigenin shows protective effects against hepatotoxic agents in vitro

Pregnancy — potential uterine stimulant effect; avoid use throughout pregnancy
Spleen deficiency with diarrhea or loose stools — moistening action may worsen cold-damp digestive patterns
Allergy to Asteraceae/Compositae family (chrysanthemum, ragweed, daisy) — cross-reactivity possible

Some commercial burdock preparations have been contaminated with belladonna alkaloids (atropine) — source from reputable suppliers only
Rare anaphylaxis reported following burdock consumption — monitor first-time users
Acute liver injury reported in association with herbal blends containing burdock — monitor liver function with prolonged use

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) — Lignans (arctigenin) inhibit platelet-activating factor (PAF) in vitro; potential additive antiplatelet effect may increase bleeding risk (Moderate) Source: hellopharmacist.com — Burdock-Warfarin Interaction
Antidiabetic medications (insulin, sulfonylureas, metformin) — Burdock has demonstrated hypoglycemic activity in animal models; additive blood-glucose-lowering effect may increase risk of hypoglycemia (Mild) Source: rxlist.com — Burdock Uses, Benefits & Side Effects