Is Burdock Root Tea Good for Your Skin?

Partly: if it helps you stay hydrated, burdock root tea can support normal skin function through its water content, but it has not been shown to clear skin. Burdock root tea is an herbal drink made from the root of the burdock plant. Research on burdock root compounds is preliminary and does not establish a benefit from drinking the tea.

Can burdock root tea help clear skin?

Burdock root tea can count toward your fluid intake, but there is no good clinical evidence that drinking it improves acne or produces clear skin. Its potential contribution to skin health is mainly as a source of fluid, not as a proven skin treatment.

Skin concerns have many possible causes, including hormones, irritation and blocked pores. A drink cannot address all of them, and drinking extra fluid beyond your needs is not a proven way to clear acne. For a broader look at hydration and skin, see the best drinks for clear skin.

How might burdock root tea affect skin?

Water is important for normal body and skin function. If you are not getting enough fluid, choosing burdock root tea is one way to help meet your hydration needs. That does not mean the tea has a special ability to improve the appearance of skin.

Burdock root contains compounds that researchers have investigated for biological activity. However, the presence of a compound in the root does not establish how much reaches a cup of tea, how it behaves after drinking, or whether it has an effect on skin.

Burdock root tea is also not a detox treatment. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste; sweat removes only trace amounts. Fluids support normal bodily functions, but the tea does not need to flush toxins to be useful as a drink.

What does the research say about burdock root tea and skin?

In a 2020 preliminary study of burdock root peptides, researchers isolated small protein fragments from burdock root and tested them against acne-associated bacteria in the lab. They also explored a dressing made with the isolated peptides.

The findings are interesting for future research, but they are not evidence that burdock root tea treats acne. The researchers studied isolated compounds and a dressing, not the effects of drinking tea on people’s skin. A brewed drink may have a different composition from the preparations used in the study.

The study also does not establish a useful amount of burdock root tea, how often someone would need to drink it, or how long a skin benefit might take. Human clinical research on the drink itself would be needed to answer those questions.

How should you use burdock root tea for skin?

If you enjoy burdock root tea and have no reason to avoid it, use a commercially packaged, food-grade product and follow its label directions for brewing. Check the ingredient list: a blend may contain other herbs, and brewing directions can vary between products.

There is no established amount of burdock root tea for clearing skin. Drinking more than the label recommends is not known to improve results. If you save prepared tea, refrigerate it promptly in a clean, covered container and drink it within 24 hours.

Treat the tea as an optional drink rather than a replacement for skin care or medical treatment. Gentle cleansing, a suitable moisturizer and sun protection are more practical foundations for everyday skin care. Continue any prescribed treatment unless your clinician advises a change.

Who should be careful with burdock root tea?

Avoid burdock root tea during pregnancy or breastfeeding because its safety has not been well established. Ask a pediatrician before giving it to a child. People who are allergic to plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed, should also be cautious because an allergic reaction is possible.

Check with a clinician or pharmacist before using burdock root tea if you have diabetes or kidney disease, or if you take medicines that affect blood sugar, blood thinners or diuretics. Potential interactions are not well established, and products can differ in strength and ingredients. Do not stop or change prescribed medicines to drink the tea.

Stop using the tea and seek medical advice if you develop a rash or other concerning symptoms. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. See a clinician if acne is painful, causing scars or not improving, or if a skin problem is accompanied by fever or spreading redness.