DonguiHub — The Hub of Donguibogam Knowledge
Home › Herbs › Burdock Fruit
Photograph of Arctium lappa L. (Burdock Fruit)
Image by the DonguiHub editorial team

Burdock Fruit

Burdock Fruit (우엉, 惡實) is recorded in the Donguibogam as a wind-heat releasing herb. Its nature is neutral (some sources: warm) and its taste pungent (some sources: sweet), associated with the Lung, Stomach meridians. Traditional uses recorded in the text include disperses wind-heat, resolves toxin, benefits the throat, promotes eruption of rashes. Caution: Dispersing in action; the classics note it is not suited to loose stool or diarrhea from spleen deficiency.

우엉 (惡實) · Arctium lappa L.
Wind-heat releasing herb Neutral (some sources: warm) Pungent (some sources: sweet) Lung, Stomach
NatureNeutral (some sources: warm)
TastePungent (some sources: sweet)
MeridiansLung, Stomach
Part usedFruit (seed)
FamilyAsteraceae
CategoryWind-heat releasing herb
Find by concern: Sore throatBoils

Overview

Burdock's root is a familiar side dish in Korea (ueong-jorim), but the entry in the Donguibogam under this name (惡實, also called 牛蒡子) refers specifically to the fruit or seed, distinguished in the text from the root and stem, which are recorded separately. Its bur-like seed clings readily to passing animals, which the classics note as the origin of its alternate name "mouse-clinging seed."

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑
性平一云溫, 味辛一云甘, 無毒. 主明目, 除風傷.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)
TranslationIts nature is neutral (some say warm), its taste pungent (some say sweet), and it is non-toxic. It mainly brightens the eyes and removes wind-damage.

Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam

  • Disperses wind-heat
  • Resolves toxin, benefits the throat
  • Promotes eruption of rashes
  • Moistens the lungs, disperses qi

Traditional applications recorded in the classical text

  • Sore, swollen throat
  • Wind-heat rash not fully erupted
  • Wind-heat cough with thick phlegm
  • Early-stage boils and sores

Traditional preparation

The seed is lightly stir-fried before use per traditional preparation.

This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.

Cautions

Caution: Dispersing in action; the classics note it is not suited to loose stool or diarrhea from spleen deficiency. Consult a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same burdock root eaten as ueong-jorim?

It's the same plant, but a different part: the Donguibogam entry (惡實/牛蒡子) is specifically the seed, recorded separately from the root and stem used as food.

Why is burdock seed also called "mouse-clinging seed"?

The Donguibogam notes its bur-like outer shell has many spines that cling to passing animals and cannot easily be shaken off, which is the origin of the alternate name 鼠粘子 (rat-clinging seed).

Sources

About our sources and editing