What Is Burdock?
Burdock is a plant in the Asteraceae family, commonly regarded as both food and medicine in east Asian countries and herbal traditions. Native to Europe and Asia, common burdock was first introduced across most of North America by European settlers, which has since become an invasive species all over, including near Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island.
Welcome to Nectar Yoga Retreat's wellness blog, where we share insights on yoga, meditation, wellness tips, and more to support your journey in self-development and consciousness. This year, we're focusing on herbs and fungi found in the Pacific Northwest (some native and some naturalized). This month, we’re profiling Burdock, and delve into burdock root’s benefits, energetics and spiritual significance, and ecological importance. Nectar Retreat welcomes wellness enthusiasts from British Columbia, Washington State, and beyond, and is a renowned Bowen Island destination, recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top yoga retreats in the US and Canada.
Read below to learn more about Burdock, including:
What Burdock looks like
How to forage for Burdock
The versatility of Burdock and why it's often recommended by herbalists
A profile of what burdock root tastes like
Various methods for preparing Burdock at home, including five nourishing (and delicious) recipes, including a Burdock Root tea recipe and how to make kinpira gobo (braised Burdock Root).
Using Burdock to enhance skin health for both dry and oily skin types
How Burdock can help address concerns about the unknown and other spiritual meanings associated with Burdock
How Burdock indirectly relates to sound healing and crystal healing bowls.
While you read, since Burdock’s energetics relate to purification and inner truth, have a listen to Nectar’s playlist, created with this in mind.
Additionally, learn how the concept of Satya (truthfulness) relates to Burdock.
How to Identify Burdock
Common Burdock is a versatile biennial plant that grows up to 3 meters tall in its second year and can also act as a short-lived perennial. Its large heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges and grooved stems develop hooked burs as the plant matures. Producing 6,000-16,000 seeds per plant, Burdock spreads rapidly and was introduced to North America by European settlers, growing in various conditions but posing risks to native plants and animals. Burdock, much like Stinging Nettle, grows along the sides of trails, roads, and forested areas, but also in wastelands. Often confused with Curled Dock, Common Burdock's distinguishing features include its hairy, larger leaves and the presence of burs.
Tips for Foraging Burdock
The Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) writes, “While eating Burdock is unlikely to eradicate it completely, it will at least prevent some of its spread! As with other edible invasive plants, please stick to foraging, and do not intentionally plant them in your yard or garden.”
SSISC recommends thorough digging* to remove the entire taproot during foraging. Utilizing a shovel, dig to a depth of at least 30cm around the young plant before uprooting it. Any remnants of the root left in the soil can sprout and give rise to new plants, aiding in the spread of this invasive species.
What Does Burdock Root Taste Like?
Burdock has a unique and layered flavor profile. It offers a mix of sweetness, mineral brininess, and subtle bitterness, along with a mild, almost oily richness.
Burdock as Healing Herb, Benefiting the Liver and Skin
In herbalism, another word for ‘cleansing’ is the term ‘alterative’. An alterative herb is viewed as a remedy that aids in the body's elimination processes, including the bowel, liver, kidneys, skin, and lungs. Alterative herbs, such as Burdock root, also impacts the blood, extracellular fluid, and lymphatics. Burdock stands out for its effectiveness and gentle nature, contrasting with other alterative herbs that can be much harsher. This herb boasts a deep-rooted history in both Eastern and Western herbal practices, with Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizing both root and seed.
According to herbalist Susun Weed’s Weed Wandering blog, Burdock's impact on the liver, digestive system, blood, and lymphatics gives it an affinity for the skin, particularly in chronic skin conditions. By strengthening the eliminatory organs, it helps reduce the burden on the skin, alleviating issues like acne and eczema.
A few of Nectar’s Top Burdock Root Recipes
Should we consume Burdock Root as food or as medicine? Since Burdock Root is so mild that it can be consumed regularly as food, it’s a herb that can be part of one’s diet. Roots from the Burdock plant can be eaten cooked as a boiled or fried vegetable. Known as ‘gobo’ in Japan, Burdock is common in east Asian cooking in including Japan, Taiwan, China, and other regions.
Here are 5 Burdock Root recipes; Burdock is suitable to consume during pitta season:
What are the Emotional Benefits and Spirituality of a Burdock Plant?
Burdock, linked to the Earth Element, offers practical guidance for caring for your body, home, and land. Herbalist Mathew Wood writes, “On a psychological level, Burdock helps us deal with our worries about the unknown… which lurk in the dark woods beyond our control. It seizes upon deep complex issues, penetrates to the core and brings up old memories and new answers. It gives us faith to move ahead on our path, despite the unknown problems that might snare us on our way. It helps the person who is afraid become more hardy, while it brings the hardy wanderer back to his original path. It restores vigor and momentum.”
As an alterative herb, Burdock helps shed false self-perceptions and uncover inner truth. It removes toxic influences from family, peers, or culture, cleansing psychological and emotional patterns that hinder authenticity. This purification process allows your soul’s essence to emerge, calling back different parts of your soul and guiding you toward whole-being integration. The Plant Medicine School further reinforces this idea and describes Burdock as helping to “comb out old patterns and debris from us, its emotional and spiritual healing mirroring what it does on a physical level as is the case for all our allies.”
Ways to Further Connect With Burdock and its Energetics
Did you know that our very own Nectar Goods Bergamot + Grapefruit Shampoo contains Burdock Root as a way to gently cleanse and nourish even sensitive scalps? Our shampoo is made of 100% plant-based ingredients and was formulated to be kind to the Earth.
Burdock, a symbol of purification, can also relate to cleansing breaths and a letting go so one can return to ease. Here are two public events at Nectar Retreat that resonate with the energy of this plant:
Autumn Equinox Yin + Crystal Bowl Sound Bath
Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 6:30PM - 8:30PM
The Dome at Nectar on Bowen, limited parking available
Moons + Blooms Series | The New Moon + Red Alder: Ease + Confidence
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 6:45PM - 9PM
The Dome at Nectar on Bowen, limited parking available
Additional Works Cited
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-burdock-89552
https://ssisc.ca/foraging-common-burdock/
https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2024/03/27/burdock-the-all-purpose-alterative/
https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/burdock-arctium
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-burdock-root
Safety Caution
Burdock has the potential to induce contact dermatitis in certain individuals. Due to its estrogenic effects, it is advisable to avoid using Burdock during pregnancy. Additionally, Burdock might interact with certain medications.
