Burdock root is a vegetable native to Northern Asia and Europe, though it now grows in the United States. The burdock plants deep roots are very long and vary in color from beige to brown and nearly black on the outside.In traditional medicine, the fruits, seeds, roots, and leaves of burdock have been used as extracts or teas for a wide range of ailments including colds, gout, rheumatism, stomach ailments, and cancers, and to promote urination, increase sweating, and facilitate bowel movements. Burdock root contains a number of antioxidants, such as quercetin, phenolic acids, and luteolin, which can help protect your cells from free radicals.