Burdock may be a sticky burr in the hedgerow, but it’s also one of the world’s greatest blood cleansers - supporting liver, skin, and digestion with a gentle, steady detox.

Please note this is a nutritional, functional horse food supplement and not veterinary medicine. See Dr Kellon's Horse Sense - 'Nutrition is not 'Alternative' Therapy.

💧Tincture

Our tinctures give you a ready-to-absorb potent source of phytonutrients at the highest-strength available, for immediate absorption straight into the bloodstream and to the body’s cells.

• Arctium lappa
• Root
• Decocted 1:3 35%
• Organic Cultivated

Feed Guide

• 6ml/100kg bodyweight, daily in feed.
• Always shake the bottle to disperse any sediment.
• 3-year shelf-life.
• Our tinctures come in a heat-sealed, twin-neck, child-resistant HDPE plastic dosing bottle, complete with dosing chamber. *HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) plastic is 100% recyclable, and energy-efficient to produce. Safe for food/water storage, it reduces waste and emissions while resisting wear. A top sustainable choice to match the EquiNatural ethos.

🌿Dried Herb

• Arctium lappa
• Root
• Organic Cultivated
• Origin Poland

Feed Guide

• 5g/100kg bodyweight per day, thus for an average 500kg horse add 25g daily to feed.
• 1-year shelf-life.
• Want a scoop? You can add a scoop to your basket during checkout.
• Supplied in a resealable, food-grade foil pouch for freshness.

Footnotes

• Pregnant or nursing mares - always seek veterinary advice before feeding.
• ♻️ Eco Note: Our packaging is recyclable and refillable.
• 🧊 Storage Tip: Keep cool and dry.

Functional Nutritional Value

Constituents: Polysaccharides (inulin), lignans (arctigenin, diarctigenin, and arctiin), terpenes (ursolic acid and arctiopicrin), flavonoids (quercetin, quercetin, and luteolin), sterols (sitosterol-beta-D-glucopyranoside and beta sitosterol), fatty acids (linolenic acid), acetylenic compounds, phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, tannin), thiophenes (lappaphene-A and arctinal), amino acids (aspartic acid and arginine), vitamins (B1, B2, C, and A), and minerals (potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, zinc, copper, phosphorus).

• Our range of botanicals are all grown, harvested and dried without the use of agri-chemicals, non-irradiated and GMO free - see our Quality page for Quality Management & Certification Documents.
• Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
• Human grade.
• Please be aware that if you're purchasing our dried botanicals for human use, our dried range is cut to appropriate sizes for feeding to horses.

Safety

• The European Medicines Agency (2010) does not advise taking burdock in any form if taking synthetic diuretics.
• It's suggested not to take during pregnancy or nursing because safety studies are limited and burdock root has shown spasmolytic activity on the uterine muscle in vivo (Barnes, 2007).

More ...

Burdock has a reputation as one of the greatest blood purifiers on the planet —but it’s also a kitchen staple in parts of the world and, of course, a familiar “burr-sticker” to anyone who’s brushed past it on a country walk.

Those prickly burrs that cling to coats, socks, and - most memorably, our long-haired border collie - aren’t just annoying, they’re ingenious: nature’s own Velcro, spreading burdock seeds far and wide. (Fun trivia: burdock was once even used to treat rabid dog bites!)

The plant behind the burrs

The main species used in herbalism is Arctium lappa — lappa likely coming from a word meaning “to seize,” a nod to those clingy burrs. But beneath the sticky exterior lies a deeply valued herbal ally.

Modern herbalism describes burdock as:

• Alterative – a gentle “blood cleanser” that helps the body shed metabolic waste
• Diuretic – encouraging healthy kidney and urinary function
• Antilithic – helping prevent kidney stones

It’s also famed for soothing chronic skin issues like eczema, acne, and psoriasis by addressing internal imbalances—what herbalists call “kidney markers.”

A food as well as a medicine

In the Far East, burdock root ( gobo in Japan) has been eaten for over 1,000 years. Its crisp, slightly sweet, mildly pungent flavour makes it a favourite in soups, stir-fries, and braised dishes. Japanese cooks often shred it with carrot and simmer it with soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil - a delicious, earthy side dish.

Burdock root is rich in inulin, a prebiotic fibre that feeds healthy gut bacteria, supports digestion, and gently tones the digestive system thanks to its mild bitter edge.

Deep roots in history

The Greeks called burdock arkeion - Dioscorides mentioned it in De Materia Medica , recommending it with pine kernels to “help spitters of blood and corrupt matter.” He also used burdock root pulp for soothing sore joints and leaves for old ulcers.

Even Saint Hildegard von Bingen weighed in during the 12th century, dismissing the root but recommending a warm wine decoction of the leaves to help expel urinary stones.

The gentle detoxer

Alterative herbs like burdock are for when you want a slow, steady “reset”. Burdock’s cleansing action helps clear metabolic waste, calm inflamed skin, and rebalance the system - making it one of nature’s most trusted, time-tested blood cleansers.

We extensively use Burdock in our blends - you'll find it in our GutBitters and JSTTonic , and many of our Immunity C.A.R.E blends.