Highly regarded by ancient practitioners of Oriental medicine, burdock was thought of as a strengthening food-medicine, and was commonly eaten as a blood purifier. It was prescribed to hasten recovery from sickness as well as for relief from arthritis and diseases of the skin. In addition to its healing qualities, burdock is a good source of B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, folacin, and fiber.

In macrobiotic medicine burdock is thought to be a very yang vegetable with strong grounding, downward root energy. It is often recommended as part of a diet to counter the damaging effects of excessive sugar and drug use. Burdock root tea is used to increase vitality and induce good bowel movement. The juice of burdock root has been used in Oriental medicine to relieve the pain of appendicitis attacks.