Arctium lappa L.
Aliases：Eshi、DaLiZi
Niubang (Great Burdock), a Chinese medicinal, is the plant Arctium lappa L. of the Asteraceae family (genus Arctium). Its fruit, root, stems and leaves can all be used medicinally, and are respectively called Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii), Niubanggen (Radix Arctii), and Niubang Jingye (Herba Arctii).
Efficacy & Actions
1. Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii – Burdock fruit) has the actions of dispersing wind-heat, diffusing the lung to promote eruption, and resolving toxin to relieve sore throat. 2. Niubanggen (Radix Arctii – Burdock root) has the actions of dispersing wind-heat and relieving toxic swelling. 3. Niubang Jingye (Herba Arctii – Burdock stem and leaf) has the actions of clearing heat and relieving vexation, and reducing swelling to relieve pain.
Indications
Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii) is indicated for wind-heat common cold, cough with profuse sputum, measles, rubella (urticaria), sore throat, mumps, erysipelas, and carbuncles and sores. Niubanggen (Radix Arctii) is indicated for wind-heat common cold, headache, cough, facial swelling due to heat toxin, sore throat, swollen and painful gums, rheumatic arthralgia (bi pain), abdominal masses (zhengjia and pikuai), carbuncles, furuncles and malignant sores, and hemorrhoids with rectal prolapse. Niubang Jingye (Herba Arctii) is indicated for wind-heat headache, vexation with dry mouth, sore throat, scanty and painful urination, carbuncles and boils, skin pruritus due to wind, and seborrheic dermatitis (white scaling).
Modern Pharmacology
Anti‑inflammatory: Arctigenin inhibits macrophage inflammatory pathways and alleviates metabolic‑associated steatohepatitis; burdock fruit polysaccharides suppress the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‑α and IL‑6. Antibacterial: The decoction of burdock fruit exhibits significant antibacterial activity against Diplococcus pneumoniae; its aqueous extract inhibits various pathogenic skin fungi. Antiviral: Exhibits inhibitory effects against influenza virus, etc. Antitumor: Arctigenin has antitumor activity and can inhibit the proliferation of various cancer cells; burdock root extract also shows antitumor potential. Antioxidant: Burdock root and leaves are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, which scavenge free radicals. Hypoglycemic: Burdock fruit has a blood glucose‑lowering effect. Antipyretic and diuretic: Burdock fruit possesses antipyretic and diuretic effects. Immunomodulatory: Burdock fruit helps regulate immune function. Hepatoprotective: Burdock root has a protective effect on the liver. Laxative (moistening intestines): Burdock fruit also moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements, making it suitable for wind‑heat conditions accompanied by constipation.
Ingredients
Fructus Arctii (Niubangzi) Lignans: Arctiin, arctigenin, matairesinol, lappaol F, etc. Fatty acids & volatile oils: Arachidic acid, stearic acid, (S)-pulegone, etc. Others: Steroidal compounds (e.g., daucosterol) Arctium lappa Root (Niubanggen) Carbohydrates & organic acids: Proteins, oligosaccharides, arctic acid, etc. Flavonoids & polyacetylenes: Quercetin, kaempferol, etc. Common constituents Amino acids & minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, etc.
Usage & Dosage
1. Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii – Burdock fruit) Internal use: 6–12 g in decoction; or used in pills or powders. Crush before use. Raw product (unprocessed): Better at dispersing wind‑heat and resolving toxin to dissipate nodules. Stir‑fried product: Reduces the cold and laxative nature; better at resolving toxin to promote eruption, and relieving sore throat to dissipate nodules. 2. Niubanggen (Radix Arctii – Burdock root) Internal use: 6–15 g in decoction; or taken as fresh juice, ground into powder, or steeped in wine. External use: Appropriate amount, crushed for topical application, prepared as an ointment, or decocted for washing. 3. Niubang Jingye (Herba Arctii – Burdock stem and leaf) Internal use: In decoction. External use: Crushed and applied topically, or decocted for washing.
Contraindications
Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii – Burdock fruit): Use with caution in cases of qi deficiency with loose stools. This product is cold and slippery in nature and may easily cause diarrhea. It is not suitable for those with spleen deficiency and diarrhea. Niubanggen (Radix Arctii – Burdock root): Not suitable for those with spleen deficiency and diarrhea; contraindicated during pregnancy (cold and slippery nature is not favorable for stabilizing the fetus). Niubang Jingye (Herba Arctii – Burdock stem and leaf): Use with caution in cases of spleen‑stomach deficiency cold. General precautions for all parts: Avoid excessive use, as it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Use with caution in allergic individuals.
Selected Formulas
I. Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii – Burdock Fruit) 1. Treatment of wind‑heat common cold and early‑stage warm disease This herb is acrid, dispersing, and bitter, with a cold nature that clears heat. It possesses both ascending and descending properties, excelling at diffusing the lung, eliminating phlegm, and clearing the throat. It is indicated for wind‑heat common cold or early‑stage warm disease with symptoms such as fever, red and swollen sore throat, cough with profuse and sticky sputum. Often combined with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua), Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), Schizonepetae Herba (Jingjie), and Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) – as in Yinqiao San (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases). For wind‑heat cough with profuse and difficult expectoration, often combined with Mori Folium (Sangye), Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng), and Peucedani Radix (Qianhu). 2. Treatment of delayed measles eruption and rubella (urticaria) with pruritus This herb disperses wind‑heat and vents heat‑toxin, promoting the eruption of rashes. For delayed measles eruption or recurrence after subsidence, combined with Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe), Cacumen Tamaricis (Chengliu), and Lophatheri Herba (Zhuye) – as in Zhuye Liubang Tang (Xianxingzhai Yixue Guangji – Medical Notes of the Awakening Studio). For scabies and pruritus due to wind‑dampness invading the blood vessels, combined with Schizonepetae Herba (Jingjie), Cicadae Periostracum (Chantui), and Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu) – as in Xiaofeng San (Orthodox Manual of External Medicine). 3. Treatment of carbuncles, sores, erysipelas, mumps, and throat impediment (laryngitis) This herb disperses wind‑heat externally, resolves heat‑toxin internally, and also moistens the intestines to promote bowel movements. It is especially suitable for heat‑toxin patterns accompanied by constipation due to heat accumulation. For carbuncles and sores due to wind‑heat externally attacking and fire‑toxin internally accumulating, combined with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang), Natrii Sulfas (Mangxiao), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), and Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe). For acute mastitis with swelling and pain before suppuration, combined with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua), Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), and Trichosanthis Fructus (Gualou) – as in Niubangzi Tang (Orthodox Manual of External Medicine). For warm‑toxin causing macules, mumps, and throat impediment, combined with Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanxuan), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), and Isatidis Radix (Banlangen) – as in Puji Xiaodu Yin (Dongyuan Shixiao Fang – Dongyuan’s Tested Formulas). II. Niubanggen (Radix Arctii – Burdock Root) 1. For persistent residual heat from seasonal epidemic diseases with vexation, thirst, weakness of the four limbs, and inability to eat (Source: Sheng Hui Fang – Holy Beneficial Prescriptions) Crush and squeeze the juice of burdock root, take one small cup each time. 2. For heat attacking the heart with vexation, restlessness, and trance‑like state (Source: Shi Yi Xin Jing – Dietary and Medical Mind Mirror) Crush burdock root to obtain one liter of juice, divide into three doses and take after meals. 3. For sudden swelling of the head and face due to wind‑heat toxin attacking internally, or redness and swelling of the hands, feet, and face with pain on touch (Source: Dou Men Fang – Doorway Prescriptions) Wash and grind fresh burdock root into a paste, decoct with wine to form an ointment. Spread the ointment on paper and apply to the swollen area. At the same time, take a small amount of the ointment mixed with warm wine orally. The swelling and pain will subside. 4. For hot swelling in the throat (Source: Yan Nian Mi Lu – Secret Records of Prolonging Life) Take one liter of sliced burdock root, add five liters of water, decoct until three liters remain. Divide into three to four warm doses. Avoid garlic and wheat flour products during treatment. 5. For infantile throat swelling (Source: Pu Ji Fang – Universal Relief Prescriptions) Crush burdock root to extract the juice, let the child swallow slowly in small amounts. III. Niubang Jingye (Herba Arctii – Burdock Stem and Leaf) 1. For stroke (apoplexy) with vexation, dry mouth, weakness of the hands and feet, and skin heat sores (Source: Sheng Hui Fang – Holy Beneficial Prescriptions, “Niubangye Geng”) Take 500 g of tender burdock leaves, blanch in boiling water for a few minutes, remove and drain. Re‑cook with seasonings to make a thick soup, add 30 g of butter (or lard) and eat. 2. For throat impediment (laryngitis) with inability to swallow even liquids (Source: Sheng Ji Zong Lu – General Collection of Holy Relief) Crush fresh burdock stems and leaves into a paste and apply to the throat. At the same time, break one stem and place it inside the throat. This will bring immediate relief. 3. For urinary retention (difficult urination) with acute pain around the umbilicus and abdomen (Source: Hebei Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30 g each of burdock leaf juice, fresh rehmannia juice (Shengdihuang), and honey. Add water and boil briefly, then mix with 3 g of talc powder (Huashi) and take orally. 4. For various sores and traumatic wounds (golden‑hand wound) (Source: Weisheng Yi Jian Fang – Simple and Convenient Health Prescriptions) Apply fresh burdock leaves directly to the affected area. 5. For acute mastitis (Source: Selected Materials of the National New TCM Therapy Exhibition) Take 9 g of dried burdock leaves (30 g fresh), decoct in water and drink as tea.
Daily Consumption
1. Burdock Root Tea Take 5–8 g of dried burdock root, steep in boiling water for 2–3 minutes, and drink as tea. Actions: Moistens the intestines to unblock the bowels, clears heat and resolves toxin. 2. Cold Shredded Burdock Root Salad Peel fresh burdock root and cut into shreds. Blanch in boiling water, then mix with shredded carrot, shredded cucumber, and seasonings. Action: Refreshing appetizer. 3. Burdock Root Pork Rib Soup Simmer burdock root, corn, carrot, and pork ribs together. Actions: Fortifies the spleen and benefits qi, moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels. 4. Burdock Root Stewed Chicken Stew burdock root together with red dates (jujube), goji berries, and chicken for 2 hours. Actions: Nourishes the liver and kidney, tonifies deficiency.
Medicinal Parts
dried ripe fruit (Niubangzi), root (Niubanggen), stems and leaves.
Selection & Storage
Niubanggen (burdock root): Store in a cool, dry place. Niubangzi (burdock fruit): Store in a dry, airtight container in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.