Photo © Steven Foster Burdock is native to Europe and Asia, and
can be found growing in temperate regions throughout the world.1
The biennial herb has purple, thistle-like flowers and a fruit
covered in hooked spines. When ripe, the fruit is full of beige
seeds that are commonly harvested in the summer months. The
stems, roots, and seeds are all used in culinary practices, but
only the seeds and roots are used for medicinal purposes.1
History and Cultural Significance The common name of burdock is
derived from a combination of terms. Bur (Latin for burra,
meaning a lock of wool) refers to the plant’s sticky seedballs
that adhere to sheep’s wool.2 Dock is an old English term that
simply refers to a plant.2 The plant is native to Europe and
Asia and was introduced to Japan approximately a thousand years
ago.3 The Japanese developed the plant into an edible
vegetable.4 Native Americans would dry the root and use it in
the winter months in soups. The Iroquois were known to use
burdock as a source of greens in the