Teasel

You’ve probably seen teasel growing. They’re a rather common “weed” in North America. They have a blossom head that looks like some members of the Composite or sunflower family, but they are actually part of their own teasel family. The genus Dipsacus, contains many species, but the one you’ll commonly see growing in North America is the common or European teasel, D. fullonum, also known as D. sylvestris. It likes to grow in moist places, especially along irrigation ditches and canals. Its common name, teasel, comes from its historical use as a comb to tease out or raise the nap of natural fabrics, particularly wool.

Teasel is not used widely in Western herbalism, although its use has become more widespread since Matthew Wood started recommending it for Lyme disease. However, different species of teasel, Dipsacus japonica and D. asper, have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. Because of this, we’ll start with a discussion of teasel in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

TCM Uses for Teasel Root

The Chinese name for teasel root is Xu Duan, which means “restore the broken” or “reconnect broken parts,” which alludes to its traditional use as a remedy to help heal traumatic injuries such as broken bones, sprains, and other damaged tissues. It is even used in the trauma departments of Chinese hospitals. It reduces swelling and eases pain while it helps invigorate and move the blood. It helps broken bones to heal. It can also be used to help heal abscesses and sores.

Teasel root is also a tonic to the liver and kidneys, entering the liver and kidney channels or meridians. Like many herbs that strengthen the kidneys in TCM, it also helps pain in the lower extremities, specifically the lower back and knees. It is also thought to nourish the muscles and tendons. It’s one of the ingredients in a Chinese Water-Increasing Formula (Jian Gu), which I have found helpful for strengthening weak kidney function and aiding low back pain, weakness in the knees and ankles, and other structural issues.

Uses for European Teasel

Matthew Wood is one of the few Western herbalists with experience using the common teasel. He knows it as a remedy for structural issues, especially those involving large joints like the shoulders and hips. It helps heal badly torn, injured, and inflamed muscles. Like the Chinese teasel, it can help heal fractures, arthritis (specifically rheumatoid arthritis), torn tendons, and bruises. 

He was led to try the remedy for Lyme disease partly because the disease typically involves migrating muscle and joint pain and swelling in the knees, shoulders, elbows, and other large joints. But he was also led to try the remedy because of its use as a jing tonic for the kidneys in TCM. The disease is due to a syphilitic spirochete and syphilis was traditionally thought to damage the kidneys in traditional medicine. He found the remedy helpful in many cases, although it is not necessarily a cure and should be used as part of a larger protocol. 

A number of companies sell a teasel flower essence, but I don’t see a clear picture of the energetics of the remedy. Matthew does suggest it helps people who “had a use, but lost it.” This may be specific to losing the usefulness of a joint, but it may also apply to those who feel they had a use or purpose but lost it. Companies selling the flower essence suggest it may have grounding or protective benefits.

Using Teasel

Teasel roots are dug in the fall, cleaned, cut up, and dried for later use. You can also purchase them from bulk herb distributors like Mountain Rose. They can be used to make a tea or decoction (as is done in TCM) using 2 grams of teasel root in eight ounces of water. 

Put two grams of teasel root in eight ounces of water. For tea, steep for 15 minutes; for a decoction, simmer for 15 minutes. Take one cup three times a day.

You can also make or purchase teasel as a tincture. You can use the fresh or dried roots. The dose is 3-10 drops several times a day. The remedy is very safe and there are no known warnings.