How Effective Is Burdock for Acne?

As with many alternative treatments, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how effective burdock is for acne. The herb is often recommended as a natural topical or internal remedy for pimples, but it may vary in effectiveness from person to person. Its benefits as a treatment for acne may depend on the type of acne a person has, how severe it is, and the cause of the acne, and some people just seem to respond to it while others don't. It's important to note, however, that burdock is particularly good for ridding the body of impurities. As such, it may prove most effective for acne that develops because of bacteria and other impurities rather than cases that are caused by hormonal imbalances or other similar causes.

Evaluating the effectiveness of burdock for acne is difficult because it is an herbal remedy. Herbal remedies aren't typically the subjects of extensive controlled studies, so data on their effectiveness is usually lacking. As such, evidence that this herb works for acne is often anecdotal. For this reason, most people won't be able to predict whether or not it will be effective for them. Instead, they will have to determine whether or not it works simply by trying it.

Some people attest to the effectiveness of using burdock for acne when it is taken internally. If a person wants to use this method to get rid of pimples and other types of acne spots, he can bring a small amount of dried burdock to a boil uncovered. Once the herb starts to boil, he should then reduce the heat under the pot to a simmer and allow it to continue cooking until about half the original water is left in the pan. At that point, he can remove it from the heat and drink the liquid like a tea. This is said to prove effective for fighting acne from the inside out.

An individual can also test the effectiveness of burdock for acne by applying it directly to his skin. To accomplish this, he can prepare the liquid in the same way as suggested for consuming the herb as a tea. Instead of drinking it, however, he can use a clean cloth or cotton ball to dab some of the cooled liquid on the affected skin. In fact, a person can try a combination approach to using burdock for acne by preparing a solution for drinking and using the leftover liquid to treat his acne topically.