Burdock (Arctium) has a captivating history that spans continents and centuries. Originally native to Europe and Asia, it has since spread worldwide, including to North America.
This versatile plant has played significant roles in various traditional medicinal systems, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Western herbal medicine. In ancient Greece, burdock was renowned for its therapeutic properties, and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder also acknowledged its potential. Japan embraced burdock through the Silk Road trade route, where it became a staple in both cuisine and traditional medicine. The Japanese refer to burdock root as “gobo.”
Interestingly, burdock’s sticky burrs inspired the invention of Velcro. From ancient civilizations to modern innovations, burdock continues to impact human history.
