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Dietary supplement

Burdock Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Burdock is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin conditions like acne and eczema, digestive support, diuretic ('detox') and blood purifier.Based on those ingredients, 122 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Burdock. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Burdock by Nature's Sunshine

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: burdock root. Burdock is a plant root that's been used traditionally in herbal medicine, though clinical evidence for its effectiveness is limited.

The capsule is filled with inactive ingredients—cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide—which are standard binders and flow agents that help form and fill the capsule.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Traditional digestive support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Digestive health, Gastrointestinal function, Gut health.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that burdock is effective for any of the conditions it's marketed for—including acne, aging skin, breast cancer, common cold, or atopic dermatitis (eczema). For all of these uses, the data rates as insufficient reliable evidence.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means rigorous human studies haven't yet proven it does. If you're considering burdock for one of these reasons, talk with your doctor about what the current science actually shows.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Burdock

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Burdock is generally well tolerated when eaten as food, and it has a long history of use with few reported problems. However, human safety data for medicinal doses are limited.

Rare but serious allergic reactions—including contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis—have been reported. There's also a single case report of drug-induced liver disease in a patient taking a multi-ingredient herbal product that included burdock, though it's unclear whether burdock was the cause.

The safety data advises against medicinal use during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety information and possible effects on the uterus.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Burdock

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Burdock.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 122 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications—blood thinners like warfarin, or antiplatelet drugs like aspirin or clopidogrel—check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding burdock. Altogether, these interactions span 122 individual medications.

The interaction is moderate in severity and based on lab findings, not confirmed human reports, but it's important enough to confirm before you start.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Burdock may be an option if you're interested in traditional herbal support, but evidence for its effectiveness is not yet established in the data we hold. The main caution is a possible increased bleeding risk if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs.

Avoid it during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Before you start, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you and whether it could interact with anything you're already taking.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Burdock, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904001404
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 277995
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Burdock by Nature's Sunshine, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
099904001404
IngredientAmount% DV
Burdock720 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule, Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

We source the world's purest ingredients, no matter where they are grown, to ensure the active nutrients are delivered just as nature intended.

New look! Same great product

Precautions

Pregnant or lactating women should consult their health care professional prior to taking this supplement.

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

Seals/Symbols

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formula

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formulation

Traditional digestive support

Guaranteed pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 2 capsules with a meal twice daily.

See for yourself

Burdock by Nature's Sunshine label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Burdock by Nature's Sunshine

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

Burdock

Interacts with
122 drugs
720 mg per serving

Burdock is a traditional herb most often used for skin problems and as a so-called 'blood purifier,' but high-quality human studies are lacking and mo...

Burdock monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Capsule, Cellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Burdock by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Burdock?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
122Drugs
122 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Burdock 122

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Burdock with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Burdock1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, taking burdock with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding.

In vitro research shows that lignans from burdock reduce rabbit platelet aggregation by inhibiting platelet activating factor. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Burdock, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Burdock by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Burdock by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Burdock has a known interaction with 122 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Burdock contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Does burdock actually work for acne or skin conditions?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish that burdock is effective for acne, aging skin, or eczema. All of these uses rate as insufficient reliable evidence, meaning rigorous studies haven't proven it works yet. If you want to try it for skin health, talk with your doctor about realistic expectations.
Can I take burdock if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advise against medicinal use of burdock during pregnancy because of lack of safety data and possible effects on the uterus. The same caution applies to breastfeeding—there isn't enough safety information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's safe for you during pregnancy or while nursing.
What are the side effects of burdock?
When eaten as food, burdock is well tolerated with few reported problems. Rare but serious allergic reactions—including contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis—have been reported. Contact dermatitis, especially from prolonged use of burdock root oil or plasters, can occur within days of use. There's also one case report of liver damage in someone taking a multi-ingredient herbal product containing burdock, though it's not clear if burdock was responsible.
Is burdock safe to take long-term?
Burdock is considered likely safe as a food and for short-term use in healthy adults, but human safety data for long-term medicinal use are limited. If you're thinking about taking it regularly, discuss duration and dosing with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can I take burdock with blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin?
You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining burdock with any blood thinner or antiplatelet medication. Lab research suggests burdock might increase bleeding risk, though this hasn't been confirmed in patients. Your doctor can assess the risk for you personally and monitor you if needed.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Burdock is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Burdock label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Burdock's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 11 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Burdock 11 references
  1. Iwakami S, Wu JB, Ebizuka Y, Sankawa U. Platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists contained in medicinal plants: lignans and sesquiterpenes. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1992;40:1196-8. PubMed
  2. Sasaki Y, Kimura Y, Tsunoda T, Tagami H. Anaphylaxis due to burdock. Int J Dermatol 2003;42:472-3. PubMed
  3. Rhoads PM, Tong TG, Banner W Jr, Anderson R. Anticholinergic poisonings associated with commercial burdock root tea. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1984-85;22:581-4. PubMed
  4. Rodriguez P, Blanco J, Juste S, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis due to burdock (Arctium lappa). Contact Dermatitis 1995;33:134-5.
  5. Kassler, W. J., Blanc, P., and Greenblatt, R. The use of medicinal herbs by human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Arch Intern Med 1991;151(11):2281-2288. DOI
  6. Chan, Y. S., Cheng, L. N., Wu, J. H., Chan, E., Kwan, Y. W., Lee, S. M., Leung, G. P., Yu, P. H., and Chan, S. W. A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). Inflammopharmacology. 2011;19(5):245-254. PubMed
  7. Breed, F. B. and Kuwabara, T. Burdock ophthalmia. Arch Ophthalmol 1966;75(1):16-20.
  8. Bryson, P. D., Watanabe, A. S., Rumack, B. H., and Murphy, R. C. Burdock root tea poisoning. Case report involving a commercial preparation. JAMA 5-19-1978;239(20):2157. DOI
  9. <p>Fletcher GF<span>, </span>Cantwell JD. Burdock root tea poisoning. JAMA <span>1978 Oct 6;240(15):1586.</span></p> DOI
  10. Latif A, Fichadiya H, Abid F, Capo G. Herbal Teas and Thrombocytopenia: A Curious Case of Yellow Dock and Burdock-Induced Thrombocytopenia. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2022;9(3):003247. PubMed
  11. Niazi B, Ahmed K, Ahmed M, Ali S, Song K, Elias S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury from Herbal Liver Detoxification Tea. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2022;16(3):612-617. PubMed

See these in context on the Burdock monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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