Omnia SanaArctium minus
Common names in 22 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 21 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Biennial herb closely related to greater burdock, forming a first-year rosette of large, heart-shaped, long-stalked leaves, green above and grey-woolly beneath, generally smaller than Arctium lappa. In the second year it produces a branching flowering stem with smaller purple thistle-like flower heads in a looser, more sprawling habit, each enclosed in a globe of hooked bracts that ripen into clinging burrs.[15]
Height: 0.5-1.5 m (flowering stem, second year)
Habit: Biennial herb; first-year rosette, sprawling branched second-year stem
Leaves: Large, heart-shaped, long-stalked, green above and grey-woolly beneath (smaller than A. lappa)
Flowers: Smaller purple thistle-like flower heads in a looser, sprawling arrangement, enclosed in hooked bracts
Stem: Branching, more sprawling than A. lappa (second year only)
Root: Long, fleshy first-year taproot ('wild rhubarb')
Fruit: Bristly, hooked burr enclosing small achenes
Flowering Period: July-September (second year)
Habitat & Distribution
A common weed of waste ground, roadsides, hedgerows and disturbed soil; native to Europe and widely naturalised in North America, where it is often the most common wild burdock species.[15]
Harvesting
The root is dug at the end of the first growing season or early in the second spring, before flowering; leaf may be gathered through the first year. Careful identification against deadly nightshade, whose root can resemble burdock, is essential before digging.[15]
Parts: Root (and leaf)
Season: End of year one or start of year two, before flowering
Key Constituents
The major storage carbohydrate; a prebiotic fibre.
PolysaccharidesInulin
Lignans (arctigenin, arctiin)[15]
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant constituents.
Arctigenin / arctiinLignans
Polyphenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic), polyacetylenes and tannins[16]
Antimicrobial and antioxidant constituents.
Chlorogenic acidCaffeic acidTannins
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
Lesser burdock (Arctium minus) leaf, flower and root extracts (rich in arctiin/arctigenin and chlorogenic acid) are cytotoxic to breast and liver cancer cells, including multidrug-resistant tumour lines (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Sebaceous-gland regulator - helps balance skin oil (acne); Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
Evidence: 1
Label: Acne
Arthritis / joint pain[15]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Arctium minus extracts show dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and HepG2 liver cancer cells and are active against both sensitive and multidrug-resistant tumour cell lines (preclinical).
Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
Mild diuretic supporting elimination ('detox', traditional); Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
Evidence: 1
Label: Detox / cleansing
Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
Evidence: 1
Label: Eczema
Inflammation (general)[15]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Inflammation (general)
Traditional 'alterative' / depurative for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, acne and boils (internally and topically)
Evidence: 1
Label: Psoriasis
Skin irritation[15]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
inferred from diuretic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Swelling / fluid retention
more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →
inferred from diuretic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Urinary support
inferred from diuretic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Urinary tract infection (UTI)
more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →
Traditional Use & History
Preparations
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Safety note[16]Info
As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), it can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants. The high inulin content can cause temporary bloating or gas.
Safety note[16]Caution
May lower blood sugar (caution with antidiabetic medicines) and add to diuretics; avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy.
Dangerous Lookalikes
Confused Part: First-year taproots dug for use as food or 'burdock root tea'; the root of deadly nightshade closely resembles a burdock root and the two grow as weeds in the same rough ground.
Confusion Context: Lesser burdock (Arctium minus) is dug for its long first-year taproot, used as a vegetable and as 'burdock root tea.' Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) grows as a weed in the same disturbed ground and its root closely resembles a burdock root, so belladonna root can be gathered or processed in mistake for burdock. This has caused real poisonings: a JAMA case report (Bryson et al., 1978) describes atropine poisoning from a commercial burdock root tea, and belladonna-contaminated herbal teas have caused severe anticholinergic poisoning from as little as a few milligrams of atropine. Belladonna contains tropane alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine); poisoning causes dry flushed skin, widely dilated pupils, blurred vision, fever, a racing heart, agitation, hallucinations, seizures and can be fatal, especially in children.
Distinguishing Features: Whole plant: only dig burdock when you can match the whole living plant - burdock has huge rhubarb-like heart-shaped leaves that are whitish-woolly underneath and, in its second year, the familiar hooked burrs. Deadly nightshade is a branching plant with dull green oval pointed leaves, solitary purple-brown bell-shaped flowers and shiny black cherry-sized berries., Berries (decisive if present): burdock never bears berries - it makes bristly burrs. A plant near your 'burdock' bearing shiny black berries in green star-shaped calyces is deadly nightshade - do not dig roots from that ground., Best practice: because the roots alone are hard to tell apart, do not wild-harvest burdock root unless an expert has confirmed the living plant - buy it from a reputable supplier instead.
Key Test: Identify the whole living plant before digging any root. Confirm large rhubarb-like leaves that are woolly-white underneath (and hooked burrs in the second year) for burdock. If there are shiny black berries, purple-brown bell-shaped flowers or oval pointed leaves among the plants, deadly nightshade may be present - do not dig or brew root tea from there. When in doubt, buy burdock rather than foraging the root.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Harvest Readiness
[17]
Part: root
Signals: Dig the root from first-year plants (the basal leaf-rosette stage, before the plant bolts and flowers in its second year); the best, official root comes from young first-year plants., SAFETY: burdock root is confusable with the root of deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), a fatal confusion. Confirm identity before digging - see this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The dried root of one year old plants is the official herb, but the leaves and fruits can also be used
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3205) for Arctium minus; 'The best roots are obtained from young plants.' Single source -> provisional. Cf. the congener A. lappa (verified, first-year mid-summer).
[17]
Part: leaf
Signals: Gather the leaves young, in the first-year rosette, while tender., SAFETY: confirm identity before gathering - burdock is confusable with deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). See this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: Young leaves and leaf stems - raw or cooked
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3205) specifies the young leaves are used; gathered young in the first-year rosette. A stage (young/tender) rather than a dated window. Single source -> provisional.
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Ahangarpour, A., Heidari, H., Oroojan, A.A., Mirzavandi, F., Nasr Esfehani, K. and Dehghan Mohammadi, Z (2017) 'Antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa root's hydro-alcoholic extract on nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced type 2 model of diabetes in male mice', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 7(2), pp. 169-179. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28348972/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28348972/ - Gao, Q., Yang, M. and Zuo, Z (2018) 'Overview of the anti-inflammatory effects, pharmacokinetic properties and clinical efficacies of arctigenin and arctiin from Arctium lappa L', Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 39(5), pp. 787-801. doi:10.1038/aps.2018.32 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2018.32 - Zeng, F., Li, Y., Zhang, X., Shen, L., Zhao, X. et al (2023) 'Immune regulation and inflammation inhibition of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides by TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in cells', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 254, pp. 127700. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127700 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127700 - Fischer, S.P.M., Brusco, I., Camponogara, C., Piana, M., Faccin, H., Gobo, L.A., de Carvalho, L.M. and Oliveira, S.M (2017) 'Arctium minus crude extract presents antinociceptive effect in a mice acute gout attack model', Inflammopharmacology, 26(2), pp. 505-519. doi:10.1007/s10787-017-0384-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-017-0384-6 - Erdemoglu, N., Turan, N.N., Akkol, E.K., Sener, B. and Abacioglu, N (2008) 'Estimation of anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant activities of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. ssp. minus', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 121(2), pp. 318-323. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.009 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.009 - Ilgun, S., Karatoprak, G.S., Polat, D.C., Safak, E.K., Yildiz, G., Kupeli Akkol, E. and Sobarzo-Sanchez, E (2022) 'Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.: A Potential Candidate as Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitor, and Cytotoxic Agent', Antioxidants, 11(10), pp. 1852. doi:10.3390/antiox11101852 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11101852 - Erol, E., Erol, K.F., Yanikoglu, R.S., Taskin, C., Kizilarslan Hancer, C. and Topcu, G (2024) 'Quantitative Determination of the Cytotoxic Compounds in Different Organs of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. by LC-HRESIMS Using Response Surface Methodology', ACS Omega, 9(40), pp. 41890-41903. doi:10.1021/acsomega.4c06644 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c06644 - Malanik, M., Farkova, V., Krizova, J., Kresova, A., Smejkal, K., Kasparovsky, T. and Dadakova, K (2024) 'Comparison of Metabolic Profiles of Fruits of Arctium lappa, Arctium minus, and Arctium tomentosum', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 79(2), pp. 497-502. doi:10.1007/s11130-024-01175-w Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-024-01175-w - Cimino, C.V., Colombo, M.L., Liggieri, C., Bruno, M. and Vairo-Cavalli, S (2015) 'Partial Molecular Characterization of Arctium minus Aspartylendopeptidase and Preparation of Bioactive Peptides by Whey Protein Hydrolysis', Journal of Medicinal Food, 18(8), pp. 856-864. doi:10.1089/jmf.2014.0101 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2014.0101 - Kenny, O., Smyth, T.J., Walsh, D., Kelleher, C.T., Hewage, C.M. and Brunton, N.P (2014) 'Investigating the potential of under-utilised plants from the Asteraceae family as a source of natural antimicrobial and antioxidant extracts', Food Chemistry, 161, pp. 79-86. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.03.126 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.03.126 - Karadeniz, A., Alexie, G., Greten, H.J., Andersch, K. and Efferth, T (2015) 'Cytotoxicity of medicinal plants of the West-Canadian Gwich'in Native Americans towards sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cells', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 168, pp. 191-200. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.052 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.052 - Watkins, F., Pendry, B., Sanchez-Medina, A. and Corcoran, O (2012) 'Antimicrobial assays of three native British plants used in Anglo-Saxon medicine for wound healing formulations in 10th century England', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 144(2), pp. 408-415. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.031 - Abraham, E.P. and Crowfoot, D.M (1946) 'An antibacterial substance from Arctium minus and Onopordon tauricum', Nature, 158(4021), pp. 744. doi:10.1038/158744a0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/158744a0 - Cavallito, C.J. and Kirchner, F.K (1947) 'The antibacterial principle of Arctium minus; the unsaturated lactone structure', Journal of the American Chemical Society, 69(12), pp. 3030-3032. doi:10.1021/ja01204a028 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01204a028 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Burdock (Arctium): Benefits, Medicinal Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/burdock/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/burdock/ - Drugs.com (n.d.) 'Burdock Uses, Benefits & Dosage'. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/npp/burdock.html Traditional / reference
https://www.drugs.com/npp/burdock.html - Fern, Ken 'Arctium minus (Lesser Burdock) — Useful Temperate Plants'. Available at: https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Arctium+minus Traditional / reference
https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Arctium+minus - Chan, Y.S., Cheng, L.N., Wu, J.H., Chan, E., Kwan, Y.W., Lee, S.M.Y., Leung, G.P.H., Yu, P.H.F. and Chan, S.W (2011) 'A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock)', Inflammopharmacology, 19(5), pp. 245--254. doi:10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4 - Bryson, P.D. and Watanabe, A.S. and Rumack, B.H. and Murphy, R.C (1978) 'Burdock root tea poisoning. Case report involving a commercial preparation', JAMA, 239(20), pp. 2157. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/642161/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/642161/ - Berdai, M.A. and Labib, S. and Chetouani, K. and Harandou, M (2012) 'Atropa belladonna intoxication: a case report', Pan African Medical Journal, 11, pp. 72. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22655106/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22655106/ - Oerlemans, C. and de Vries, I. and van Riel, A.J.H.P (2017) 'Anticholinergic syndrome caused by contaminated herbal tea; acting swiftly to identify the source', Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, 161, pp. D1261. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28612694/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28612694/
Selected studies & references
PreclinicalComparison of Metabolic Profiles of Fruits of Arctium lappa, Arctium minus, and Arctium tomentosum source↗ (2024)
PreclinicalQuantitative Determination of the Cytotoxic Compounds in Different Organs of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. by LC-HRESIMS Using Response Surface Methodology source↗ (2024)
PreclinicalImmune regulation and inflammation inhibition of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides by TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in cells source↗ (2023)
PreclinicalPhytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.: A Potential Candidate as Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitor, and Cytotoxic Agent source↗ (2022)
PreclinicalAntidiabetic, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa root's hydro-alcoholic extract on nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced type 2 model of diabetes in male mice source↗ (2017)
PreclinicalArctium minus crude extract presents antinociceptive effect in a mice acute gout attack model source↗ (2017)
PreclinicalCytotoxicity of medicinal plants of the West-Canadian Gwich'in Native Americans towards sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cells source↗ (2015)
PreclinicalPartial Molecular Characterization of Arctium minus Aspartylendopeptidase and Preparation of Bioactive Peptides by Whey Protein Hydrolysis source↗ (2015)
All 17 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.