Somewhat common to Asian cuisine, the root of a burdock plant, or Arctium (meaning “bear”?), provides numerous preventative and remedial benefits as well as being tasty. The many benefits include digestive health and skin condition.
You may have encountered one before — they propagate themselves by hooking onto things with the burs the surround their flowers, a remarkable adaptation for spreading seeds. For this reason Burdock directly inspired the design of Velcro!
The entire plant with exception of the burs is edible, but the most benefit comes from the roots. It can be consumed as a dish, tea or extract.