How to Take It Burdock root is a favorite among traditional herbalists for treating rheumatism, gout, skin eruptions, and cystitis. Burdock stimulates the appetite, so modern experts recommend it for anorexia nervosa. It is also used as a diuretic, for gastrointestinal symptoms, or externally to heal rough, scaly skin and psoriasis. Scientific research done nearly 50 years ago showed that burdock root has some antibiotic properties. There's also evidence that it is effective in treating boils.
Some people even claim that burdock root is helpful for diabetes.
But the research on diabetes is not clear-cut. A recent study showed that burdock blocked dangerous chemicals from causing damage to cells, suggesting to the possibility that burdock may help decrease the risk of developing cancer from toxic chemicals. You can take burdock in the following forms as a daily supplement. There are no known risks associated with using burdock. But be careful if you touch it because there is a slight chance of getting skin irritation from handling burdock.