Teasel Root the Carnivore Plant that Heals Your Body

I came across Teasel Root while traveling in Europe, another amazing discovery that I just need to share with you. So just like the Venus Flytrap the teasel plant is a carnivore! It is known to catch insects in it’s water filled leaf bases which allows the plant to have larger seeds [1]. In my mind, there couldn’t be anything more amazing than a carnivore plant that heals your body. I love this plant already!

The Wild Teasel Plant is a Carnivore!

I have already been drinking Teasel tea a couple of times a week just to give my body an extra boost and I feel great. In a previous article that I wrote on Cistus Incanus, I mentioned my relative who was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. She had multiple treatments with antibiotics and was still struggling with debilitating symptoms for a long time. Her body was weak and she felt hopeless.

That’s when she turned to herbs for help. She was prescribed Cistus Incanus and Teasel Root by her herbalist, and after a few months she told me her symptoms were almost all gone. I was intrigued. I went on a mission and did my own research – so here it is!

(If you are interested in learning more about Cistus Incanus, click here.)

What is Teasel Root

Other names for Teasel Root: Teasel, Dipsacus sylvestris, Dipsacus fullonum, Wild Teasel, Fuller’s Teasel, Xu Duan.

Teasel is a species of flowering plant native to Eurasia and North Africa. It has also been used for centuries in Chinese medicine as Xu Duan. The Chinese word for teasel means “Restore What is Broken.” Teasel roots are used medicinally, the roots are dug up in the summer and then cut into slices and dried in the sun before being used in herbal preparations [3].

Teasel meaning – “Restore What is Broken”

Teasel is effective for the body’s overall health – both internally or externally and has been used both on the skin and consumed orally. Its functions are to tonify the liver and kidneys, promote blood circulation, and strengthen the bones and tendons [3].

The plant is very versatile and has a folk history in the treatment of cancerous sores, healing broken bones, treating acne, soothing the stomach, and as an antidepressant – just to name a few [2,5].

Teasel Root Benefits

• Detoxifies the liver
• Combats depression
• Helps with Fatigue and exhaustion
• Clears Mental fog
• Aids with memory problems.
• Soothes the stomach
• Used in treatment of Lyme Disease
• Natural diuretic
• Improves Digestion
• Promotes beneficial microorganisms in the Colon
• Treats Acne
• Used for skin inflammation
• Helps with pain control
• Promotes blood circulation
• Helps damaged tissues and ligaments
• Promotes rebuilding of broken bones
• Aids with menstrual disorders

Teasel Can Help in the Treatment of Lyme Disease

One of the most common uses of Teasel now days is in the treatment of Lyme Disease. After reading hundreds of articles and personal blogs, I realized it is best used in conjunction with other herbal therapies and antibiotics. It is believed that Teasel does not kill the bacteria in lyme disease, rather it drives the bacteria from the body bringing it out into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the body itself can kill off the Lyme bacteria. This is why it is believed to be effective to take while taking antibiotics [8].

A study comparing various extract combinations of Teasel root against Borrelia burgdorferi (a Lyme disease bacteria) found significant growth-inhibiting activity. More than 95% growth inhibition of Borrelia burgdorferi was found in the ethyl acetate teasel extract [7]. I find this study very impressive. However some other extract combinations were not as effective, which teaches us that the way the teasel preparation is made can determine how effective it can be.

I found a very inspiring article by written by Laila Wold who has used Teasel to successfully heal from Lyme disease. Laila Wold writes in her article…

“This article aims to show that teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris) has the ability to restore a life broken down by Lyme disease….Two brain scans, one taken during years of illness and another taken after the treatment was completed, provide indisputable evidence of teasel’s effectiveness.”[6]

Teasel Aids in Depression, Fatigue, and Mental Fog

Teasel root can also be used to treat depression, exhaustion, feelings of despair, low willpower, apathy, mental fog, and memory problems. It can promote neuronal l health and prevent neuronal death as well as helping with Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia [5]. Laila Wold writes the following in her article about her experience with Teasel…

“Within a few days of taking a few drops of the blessed tincture, the brain fog as well as the depression simply vanished into thin air.”

Effective for Broken bones, Muscle Injury, and Pain

As stated in herbpathy.com, Teasel assists in the treatment of traumatic injury of muscles, connective tissues, promotes rebuilding of fractured bones, and helps with osteoporosis. It particularly helps healing hip fractures. As it boosts blood circulation it aids in building strong bones and tendons while helping damaged bone tissues to grow and heal also helps with pain management of the knees, lower back, rheumatism, and sciatica [5].

Beauty Benefits of Teasel

Due to the plant’s toning and skin radiating effects, Teasel is currently used for anti-aging and an antioxidant by cosmetic companies to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. In ancient times an ointment was made from the roots to treat warts and acne [2]. Because Teasel is such a powerhouse of an herb, it also has been used in the treatment of skin diseases such as fistulas (abnormal passages opening through the skin) and cancerous sores [2]. Powdered root is also used to treat Inflammation of the Skin and open Wounds [5].

Within the concave leafs, the teasel plant collects rainwater and dew drops, in ancient times women would collect this “heavenly water” as it was believed to lighten skin imperfections and enhance their beauty.

Teasel Root is a Natural Diuretic

Teasel is a natural diuretic that enables the kidneys to eliminate excess fluid from the body. Simply put – it makes you urinate more. For some people diuretics can be very important in getting excess water and toxins out of their body. Coffee and alcohol are also diuretics since they tend to make you urinate.

Teasel can make you sweat more, further helping to remove more toxins from the body. I often drink teasel right before my period to help eliminate some of the excess water weight that causes me to swell up.

Teasel Detoxifies the Liver. Sometimes we are very hard on our liver by eating junk food, sugar, too much protein or fat, taking medications, or too many supplements. Teasel has the potential to give your liver a little extra help.

Teasel root is an effective herb to detox the liver [5]. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body and it carries out over 500 essential functions. The liver’s main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs [9]. Teasel also may help to remove obstructions of the liver and treat jaundice [2].

Helps with Menstrual Problems and Hormone Balance

Teasel is know to be effective in helping with menstrual disorders and uterine bleeding [5]. Being Yang in nature, it is believed this herb has a progesterone-supporting effect and can effectively treat estrogen dominance [4]. It can help with heavy bleeding during your period.

Where can I Get Teasel?

Teasel is available in the form of capsules, powders, pills, teas, tinctures, ointments, and tonics. I am currently using teasel in tea form. In Europe it is widely available and I have seen it sold both in supermarkets and in herb shops. I recommend visiting your local herb store to find your batch. You can also find it online or through Amazon.

I have heard very good feedback on the Hawii Pharm teasel brand . It seems to be the highest strength teasel root extract out there! The company states it is made in the USA, ethically sourced wild harvested wild teasel root, and crystal clear artesian purified water, and does not contain Alcohol. DOES NOT contain: GMO, gluten, artificial colors, heavy metals, preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers! Click on the Amazon link below to go directly to the product page.

A Final Note on Teasel

Teasel is a powerful medicinal herb that can have the power to heal. Even though it’s been used for centuries in traditional medicine, there has not been enough research yet to understand it’s full healing capabilities as well as potential side effects. It is also best that you seek the help of an herbalist to obtain the dosage appropriate for your body weight and condition. It is also important that you see your health provider and pharmacist before starting a new herb.

It is also best that you seek the help of an herbalist to obtain the dosage appropriate for your body weight and condition. It is also important that you see your health provider and pharmacist before starting a new herb.

The New Miracle Tea: Cistus Incanus Even More Benefits Than Green Tea

References

1. Shaw PJ, Shackleton K. Carnivory in the teasel Dipsacus fullonum–the effect of experimental feeding on growth and seed set. PLoS One. 2011;6(3):e17935. Published 2011 Mar 18. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017935
2. http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/d/dipsacus-fullonum=teasel.php
3. https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral/teaselroot.php
4. Chinese Herbal Medicine
   Xu Duan – Dipsacus – Teasel root – “Restore What is Broken
   https://chineseherbinfo.com/xu-duan-dipsacus-teasel-root-restore-what-is-broken/
5. https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Dipsacus-Cid3773
6. https://www.flaatthjelp.net/to-sma-flattbitt/teasel/
7. Liebold T, Straubinger RK, Rauwald HW. Growth inhibiting activity of lipophilic extracts from Dipsacus sylvestris Huds. roots against Borrelia burgdorferi s. s. in vitro. Die Pharmazie. 2011;66:628–30.
8. https://gesund-im-net.de/english/teaselroot.htm
9. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-liver#1