In the culinary arts, burdock is a crisp root vegetable with an off-white colored flesh and mild flavor. Burdock is related to artichokes, as they are both a member of the thistle family. 
Burdock flowers can also be eaten, and taste similar to artichokes. Burdock leaves are sometimes used as an herb. Folk herbalists considered dried burdock to be a diuretic, diaphoretic, and a blood purifying agent. Burdock is a traditional medicinal herb that is used for many ailments. Burdock root oil extract, also called Bur oil, is currently used in Europe under the belief that it is a useful scalp treatment.  Modern studies indicate that burdock root oil extract is rich in phytosterols and essential fatty acids (including rare long-chain EFAs).