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See also : [[Essiac Tea]]<br>

Burdock, scientific name Arctium lappa, is a large perennial thistle plant that can grow as high as nine feet. Native to Europe and Asia, it was introduced to North America by the early settlers. It belongs to the daisy family; its folk names include beggar's buttons, cockleburr, bardana and fox's clote. In Japan, its sweet-tasting root is used in foods as well as in herbal preparations. Burdock has been used for hundreds of years as a blood cleanser and purifier. Be sure to discuss using burdock with your healthcare provider before taking it.

Burdock has large green leaves and a rounded head of purple flowers surrounded by a prickly casing that sticks to any who pass close by. Burdock's deep primary root and underground stems, called rhizomes, are harvested along with the seeds to make herbal preparations. The less potent leaves are used to make herbal teas. The plant contains numerous beneficial compounds. According to AltMD, the roots yield up to 45 percent inulin, along with volatile oils, flavonoids and essential fatty acids.