Health benefits
- The cancer research. Out of all trials, this is probably the most noteworthy because it wasn’t just done for academic curiosity.
- Uses for skin. Cosmetic uses of this plant seem to be popular. ...
- Arthritis and joint pain. ...
- Liver. ...
- Hair benefits. ...
- Blood pressure. ...
- Blood purifier. ...
- Candida yeast infections. ...
- Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. ...
What is gobo (gobo root)?
Gobo is burdock root and a very popular vegetable in Japan. It is hard and looks like a tree root, but it gets quite soft when cooked and then it has a mild but distinct flavor. Though Gobo doesn’t contain very many vitamins, it has a lot of fiber and minerals. There may be a detox effect on you if you eat regularly.
Is gobo good for You?
While gobo is not something you may want to eat with every meal, but including it in your diet every now and then can offer a lot of health benefits. This delicious root has been a part of Asian and European food culture for more than thousands of years.
What is Gobo in Japanese food?
Gobo (burdock roots) Gobo is burdock root and a very popular vegetable in Japan. It is hard and looks like a tree root, but it gets quite soft when cooked and then it has a mild but distinct flavor.
Is gobo hard or soft?
Gobo (burdock roots) Gobo is burdock root and a very popular vegetable in Japan. It is hard and looks like a tree root, but it gets quite soft when cooked and then it has a mild but distinct flavor. Though Gobo doesn’t contain very many vitamins, it has a lot of fiber and minerals.

What does burdock root do for your body?
People take burdock to increase urine flow, kill germs, reduce fever, and “purify” their blood. It is also used to treat colds, cancer, anorexia nervosa, gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, joint pain (rheumatism), gout, bladder infections, complications of syphilis, and skin conditions including acne and psoriasis.
Can I take burdock root everyday?
If you're taking burdock supplements, take only in moderation. More research is needed to determine the safety of the supplement. Burdock is considered to be safe to eat, but you should only buy it from reputable sellers and should never collect it in the wild.
Who should not take burdock root?
People who should avoid burdock root include: women who are pregnant, want to become pregnant, or who are breast-feeding. children under 18. people with a history of allergies to plants, unless a doctor suggests otherwise.
How much burdock root should I take?
Traditional herbalists recommend 2 to 4 ml of burdock root tincture per day. For the dried root preparation in tablet or capsule form, the common amount to take is 1 to 2 grams three times per day.
Is burdock good for kidneys?
Burdock Root is one of those rare herbs that stimulate lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Diuretics can help to stimulate the kidneys, allowing urine to be passed more frequently and in greater quantity - this helps to cleanse the kidneys and can prevent water retention.
Does burdock root help you lose weight?
Burdock root helps in weight loss and can be included in the daily diet of people intending to lose weight. Since burdock marks very low on its calorie count, it is an ideal choice to lose weight naturally.
Is burdock root good for the lungs?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, burdock fruit has been used for thousands of years. It's typically associated with the lung and stomach meridians, is known to cool internal heat, and is commonly used for supporting skin health.
Is burdock root good for hair growth?
Given its vitamin A and essential fatty acids burdock oil can help strengthen hair by nourishing the scalp. These nutrients are vital in maintaining a healthy scalp and promoting natural hair growth.
Does burdock root give you energy?
Burdock root is a powerhouse when it comes to the nutrition profile. According to USDA, it provides energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fiber.
Is burdock root good for your liver?
The burdock root is known to cure inflammation in the liver and prevent it from oxidative stress involved in liver disorders and damage. It helps repair the liver cells damaged due to excessive consumption of alcohol and other liver-damaging toxins.
Can you eat gobo root raw?
Burdock root, also known as gobo, is popular in Asian dishes. It works very well in stir fries, braises, and soups. Burdock root can also be peeled, sliced and eaten raw out of hand or on a salad. It resembles a radish with a slight artichoke flavor when eaten this way.
Is burdock root high in iron?
Burdock root is highly rich in iron and other essential nutrients. It's known to be a good source of insulin which improves gut health and aids food digestion. This large weed contains various kinds of powerful antioxidants such as luteolin, quercetin, and phenolic acids.
Does burdock root increase estrogen?
Much like dandelion, burdock root is one of the herbs for estrogen dominance that works as a diuretic, helping to get rid of any excess estrogen in your body via your body's natural elimination process. The herb is usually taken as a tea. This plant has high quantities of a natural flavonoid called chrysin.
Is burdock root good for your liver?
The burdock root is known to cure inflammation in the liver and prevent it from oxidative stress involved in liver disorders and damage. It helps repair the liver cells damaged due to excessive consumption of alcohol and other liver-damaging toxins.
Is burdock root good for the lungs?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, burdock fruit has been used for thousands of years. It's typically associated with the lung and stomach meridians, is known to cool internal heat, and is commonly used for supporting skin health.
Does burdock root give you energy?
Burdock root is a powerhouse when it comes to the nutrition profile. According to USDA, it provides energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fiber.
What Is Gobo (Burdock Root)?
Gobo (gobo root) is a term for Japanese burdock root. It’s plant in the Aster family, and its edible part is root. It is said that the origin places of gobo are Asia and Europe. ▲Gobo with Mud
What Does Gobo Taste Like?
The taste of gobo is light and simple. It’s neither sweet nor bitter. Gobo’s flavor is very unique which is kind of like earthy peculiar to root vegetables. Despite of the unique flavor, it doesn’t ruin the flavor of other ingredient in a dish, but could add great scent to it.
How Is Gobo Used?
Gobo can be used all kinds of dishes including stir-frying dish, deep-frying dish, soup dishes, stews, and salad. Due to its light taste, gobo matches various types of seasonings too. You can enjoy the unique flavor and crunchy texture with those popular dishes below.
Preparation for Gobo
Japanese people often soak gobo in water for a while before cooking it in order to remove its astringent taste and prevent discoloration. However, this preparation is not always necessary because nutrients contained gobo could be melted in water.
What Are the Benefits of Eating Gobo
Gobo contains abundant dietary fiber which supports the functions of the intestines. It’s said that dietary fiber accelerate to excrete waste matter from the body so that it helps relieve constipation. In addition, gobo contains chlorogenic acid (a type of polyphenol) abundantly, and you can expect antioxidant effect from it.
Do You Peel Gobo?
You can peel gobo completely, however, it’s highly recommended to leave a little skin because the skin is full of nutrition actually. Also, the skin has great flavor (aroma) and umami (taste).
Gobo Recipes
Gobo Salad with Sesame Miso-Mayonnaise Dressing The most crunchy delicious salad is absolutely this! If you don’t have miso, please add soy sauce instead. GET THE RECIPE
Buying, Cooking, and Recipes
Linnea Covington has been writing about food for over a decade. From farmers' markets to award-winning restaurants, if the eats prove good, she's there, often trailed by her two young boys.
What Is Burdock Root?
The scientific name is Arctium lappa, and in Japan, burdock root is called gobo. But no matter what you call it, this long, brown-black root has a lot of uses.
What to Do With Burdock Root
Burdock is commonly eaten like any other root vegetable, especially in Japan. There the ingredient is called gobo, and it's prepped by slicing, roll cutting, sectioning into chunks, and julienning. The earthy flavor proves great when combined with juicy meats.
What Does Burdock Root Taste Like?
Like most roots, burdock has an earthy essence and a bit of a nutty undertone. It's warming and hearty, and if you sweeten burdock tea with honey, the bitterness of the star ingredient quells, and the brew proves quite pleasant. Added to a meal, burdock can give the dish a toothsome heft, and slight meaty nuance.
Burdock Root Recipes
You won't find many non-Japanese recipes that call for burdock root, but it can take the place of other common, bitter roots. It's mild in flavor, though the earthiness does stand out, which make chicory or lotus root the best bets when substituting for or instead of. Try it with one of these three recipes.
Where to Buy Burdock Root
Burdock isn't typically found at most supermarket chains, though many Asian stores will carry it. You can buy it fresh in the spring and late fall, or purchase it powdered or dried. The latter two ways don't make for good cooking, but you can use it in teas.
Storage
When harvested or bought fresh, you can keep burdock root like any other root vegetable, either in the refrigerator or in a cool, dark spot in the pantry or basement. It's best not to trim the ends until you're ready to use it, and certainly don't peel the root until it's time to work with it.
2. It removes toxins from the blood
One of the most common uses for burdock root has been to purify the blood.
3. It may inhibit some types of cancer
Burdock root, as it turns out, may not only purify the blood, but it may also inhibit certain types of cancer.
4. It may be an aphrodisiac
Another possible use of burdock root is as an aphrodisiac. In a nonhuman study, it was found that the extract of burdock root had an aphrodisiac effect. The extract enhanced sexual function and increased the amount of sexual behavior in the male rats ( 6 ).
5. It can help treat skin issues
Burdock root has also long been used to treat skin conditions like acne and eczema. The root’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can help resolve skin issues when applied topically to the skin ( 7, 8 ).
What Does Gobo Taste Like
After you scrub it clean, you can see that the root has a beige color on the outside, but as you peel the skin, you discover a crisp and off-white flesh. The root has an earthy and sweet taste but some people say that the flavor may be slightly astringent.
Gobo In Sushi: A Futomaki Recipe
Gobo is rarely used as a standalone ingredient in sushi and it is almost always paired up with other ingredients in a futomaki roll. However, the pickled gobo or yamagobo has such a distinct taste that you can easily identify it. Let’s get rolling.
Preparing Gobo To Be Used In Japanese Cuisine
The pickled root or yamagobo is sold ready to eat, so you simply need to open the packet and start relishing the delicious pre-sliced roots as a part of your dish. However, if you choose the raw and natural burdock root called gobo, it will need some preparation to make them ready to eat.
Steps To Pickle Gobo At Home
If you are the kind who likes to eat everything homemade, pickling gobo can be a fun and rewarding process. As the burdock root is denser than other vegetables or fruits used for pickling, I prefer parboiling them for two minutes before beginning the pickling process.
Pickled Burdock Root (Yamagobo) Substitutes Used In Sushi
Yamagobo may look like carrots, but it actually has a distinct flavor that sets it apart from others. While chefs may sometimes use different substitutes for the vegetable, most people can easily tell the difference between pickled gobo and other substitutes.
Interesting Uses of Gobo Around The World
Burdock root is not just limited to Japanese cuisine but also works as an excellent ingredient for various other dishes. For example, it serves as an effective ingredient along with dandelion when preparing a soft drink.
History And Fact About Burdock Root (Gobo)
This delicious root has been a part of Asian and European food culture for more than thousands of years. It was introduced to North America only recently and in Japan, it is largely consumed as a raw vegetable or pickled to make them last longer. The young leaves of the plant are also consumed.
What Is Burdock Root?
Burdock root (genus Arctium ) is a genus of biennial plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that’s native to Northern Asia and Europe. It’s now found throughout the U.S. as well, where it grows as a weed.
Health Benefits
The benefits of burdock root are wide-ranging and sure to impress. Much of the root’s benefits come from its nutrition content.
Risks and Side Effects
Burdock root is considered safe when consumed as a food, which is done regularly in Asian countries. However, pregnant and nursing women should avoid burdock root, as it may cause damage to the fetus.
How to Use
Burdock root products contain the fresh or dried root of the burdock plant. Fresh burdock root can often be found in health stores and Asian specialty stores.
Recipes
The burdock plant definitely produces a root that is not only tasty (hopefully you agree), but incredibly beneficial when it comes to so many functions of the body as well as many very serious health issues. Whether you’re looking to maintain your health or greatly improve it, burdock root a try if you haven’t already.
Health benefits
Burdock root has been a part of traditional medicine, particularly traditional Chinese medicine, for centuries. Researchers are now beginning to design clinical studies to assess its benefits. Some potential health benefits of this plant include:
What are the side effects?
Burdock root should be avoided by pregnant women and those who are breast-feeding.
Other uses
Burdock root is a fiber-rich vegetable. People who need more fiber, including those with diabetes, may wish to include it in their diet rather than take it as a supplement. Using the root as a whole product might be safer than using supplements.
Takeaway
Research into the benefits of burdock root is not conclusive, so people should not use it in place of any medical treatment. They can, however, use it as a healthful way to improve general well-being and supplement treatment for common ailments.
