To the untrained eye, rhubarb and burdock look similar. Despite burdock sometimes being called “wild rhubarb,” the plants greatly differ in taste, texture, and usage. Only the stalks of rhubarb are edible, while burdock’s entire plant can be eaten.
But what are the potential health benefits and risks of both? Learn more about the biggest differences between rhubarb and burdock, plus how to eat both plants.
What Is Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a plant that is found in three varieties: red, green, or speckled. These colors refer to the fibrous edible stalk of the plant, which can reach two to four feet in length and a width of two inches, according to the Ohio State University Extension.
The cross sections of a rhubarb stalk are solid, and the leaves are large, smooth, and dark green, with curled edges when mature. The entire plant is large, typically requiring three feet of garden space to grow. In general, it’s considered a common and easy-to-grow plant, thriving in cooler climates, according to the Ohio State University Extension.
What Is Burdock?
Burdock is easily confused with rhubarb due to its appearance and misleading common name, “wild rhubarb.” But unlike rhubarb, burdock is actually a common weed found in gardens throughout the United States, according to the Ohio State University Extension.
To identify burdock, look for mature leaves that are less curly than those of rhubarb. The undersides of burdock leaves are also woolly or hairy in texture, unlike rhubarb, according to the University of Illinois Extension.
Another easy way to identify burdock is to cut away a cross section of its stem. Burdock has a hollow stem, whereas rhubarb stems are solid. When left to mature, burdock can reach five feet in height and make purple thistle-like flowers surrounded by rigid hooked bristles. These bristled burs are known for sticking to clothes, sheep’s wool, and dog fur, according to the Ohio State University Extension.
How Are Both Used?
You can only eat the stem of the rhubarb plant, either raw or cooked; the leaves are poisonous, according to the USDA SNAP-Ed Connection. When eaten raw, rhubarb stalks are tart and fibrous, but when cooked, they have a rich, tart flavor that is popular in pies, fruit spreads, and other baked goods.
You can eat burdock raw or cooked, as most parts of the plant, including the roots, the leaves, and the stems, are edible. Burdock is sometimes listed as an ingredient in health supplements and natural remedies.
Toxicity Warnings
Only the stalks of rhubarb are edible, as the leaves contain a toxic amount of oxalic acid, which can cause abdominal and chest pain, mouth pain and drooling, throat swelling, tremors, vomiting, and in severe cases, seizures or shock.
Do not eat rhubarb stalks that have been hit by hard frost, as severe cold can cause oxalic acid to develop in the stalks, according to the Ohio State University Extension.
Burdock root, on the other hand, is edible, though it can cause some negative side effects in certain people. The burs can cause skin irritation if hooked on the skin, and ingesting the roots can have a diuretic effect, causing you to pee more than usual, according to the Ohio State University Extension.
Burdock vs. Rhubarb Nutrition Facts
There are a few key differences between the nutritional content of rhubarb and burdock. One cup of burdock root contains 85 calories, 1.8 grams (g) of protein, less than 1 g of fat, 20.4 g of carbohydrates, 3.89 g of fiber, and 3.42 g of sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
One cup of rhubarb only contains 25.6 calories, 1.1 g of protein, less than 1 g of fat, 5.54 g of carbohydrates, 2.2 g of fiber, and 1.34 g of sugar, according to the USDA. In other words, rhubarb is a lower-calorie and lower-carbohydrate food than burdock.
Neither burdock nor rhubarb is especially high in vitamins or minerals, but they’re both rich in a specific class of antioxidants called phenolics, which may help prevent inflammation and cellular damage associated with heart disease, diabetes, and certain skin diseases.
Other Potential Benefits
Both rhubarb and burdock are used in certain ancient herbal medicine practices, particularly traditional Chinese medicine.
While more research needs to be done on its reported benefits, some studies have reported that rhubarb, in particular, is associated with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties, as well as greater digestive health, in Chinese medicine.
There is limited evidence regarding the benefits of burdock on specific health conditions. However, reviews have suggested that the root might be associated with reduced oxidative stress and liver damage (particularly from heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium), reduced inflammation, and a decreased risk of illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.
Ultimately, more research needs to be done on both plants to determine their positive and negative effects on health. If you’re unsure whether eating burdock or rhubarb is right for you, reach out to your doctor or a registered dietitian who can provide some personalized guidance.
