What Is Arctium Lappa Or Burdock Root

Botanical Name: Arctium lappa L.

Common Names: Burdock Root, Lappa, Beggar’s Buttons, Edible Burdock, Greater Burdock, Gobo, Thorny Burr, Happy Major, Great Burdock, A. Lappa Major

Arctium Lappa is a weedy, biennial wildflower belonging to the Aster family. Native to Northern Asia and Europe, this vegetable has made its way to the United States too. Its deep roots vary in color from beige to brown on the outside, with some nearly black.

For centuries, Burdock root has been employed in holistic medicine as a treatment for a wide range of ailments. Most often it’s taken as a diuretic and digestive aid, but its antioxidants and detoxifying effects also make it an effective therapy for some forms of cancer, skin irritations and even sexual enhancement.