Tonic Herb of the Month

Teasel

(Dipsacus sylvestris)

Teasel is a very common sight in this area. As a biennial, the young thistle-like leaves begin as a low-growing rosette its first year, before shooting up a flower stalk in year 2. The flowers, which can grow to 8′ tall, are generally whitish-purple, and attract many pollinators. Its seeds are a favorite source of food for birds. The genus includes about 15 species. Of these, D. sylvestris, D. fullonum, D. japonica, D. asper and D. sativus have been reported to have medicinal value.


Family: Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family)

Parts Used: primarily root (although some American herbalists have suggested that the seed is also of value)

Energetics: bitter, pungent, slightly warming

Actions: bitter tonic, yang tonic, tonifies the ‘essence,’ nourishes sinew and bone, hemostatic

Uses:  Dipsacus sylvestis, the European native, was used to tease wool, but was only recently introduced to the Western materia medica by the late herbalist William LeSassier. He used it as a substitute for the Eastern variety, Dipsacus japonica, which has a long history of use in traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic to restore kidney ‘jing’ or ‘essence’ (Wood, The Earthwise Herbal).

In Chinese Medicine, the kidney jing refers to our inherited chi, or vital essence, our constitution, the blueprint material for the body, which is housed in the kidneys. Jing is similar to our trust fund, our foundational storage of energy. We can draw on this supply of reserves whenever we need to, but it’s difficult to replenish, so we must manage it well.

According to TCM, the kidneys include much more than the blood-filtering organs that we think of in the West. The Chinese kidneys store the essence and govern the deeper tissues of the body including bone, connective tissue, nerve tissue and reproductive tissues. The kidney system has a direct effect on the endocrine system, sexual function, growth, maturation, and the immune system.  Seen from this perspective, it’s no surprise that as a kidney tonic, teasel root can be used to treat a wide variety of issues from broken bones to weak prostate to preventing miscarriage, which are all signs of depleted kidney chi.

Teasel, as a kidney tonic, is used to promote the healing of broken bones and torn, injured or inflamed connective tissue. This makes it useful in treating the symptoms of Lyme disease, since the Lyme-inducing bacteria often targets the nerve, muscle & connective tissues. Herbalist Matthew Wood introduced the use of teasel as a specific therapy for Lyme, explaining that teasel “teases” the spirochete out of its hiding so that the immune system or antibiotics can effectively deal with them. This makes teasel an important adjunct therapy for use with antimicrobials. Many other herbalists have corroborated that small doses of teasel root can product a Herxheimer reaction, or a healing crisis, as the increase of toxins from the dying bacteria flood the bloodstream. While this is not a one-size-fits-all remedy for Lyme disease (remember, we treat the person, not the disease), it is an exciting addition to our herbal tool bag.

Indications for Teaseldysmennorrhea, menorrhagia, uterine bleeding during pregnancy and after childbirth, spermatorhea, frequent urination, cold hands and feet, injuries to tendons and ligaments, lower back pain (all signs of deficient kidney or liver energy in TCM) (Reid, Daniel, A Handbook of Chinese Healing Herbs), fractures, rheumatism, bruises, Lyme disease (Wood)

Fun Facts: The points where leaves merge at the stem form a cup, which collects rain water. This has the function of preventing sap-sucking insects from climbing the stem.

The dried flower heads of teasel have historically been used as a natural comb to clean and raise the nap on wool.

Contraindications: not recommended for yin-deficient conditions

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**

UPCOMING EVENTS

Buds & Blossoms Clinical Herbalism

Now Enrolling!

This 9-month, intermediate-level program is for herbal students and enthusiasts who have a basic level of training and are ready to dive deep into the therapeutic application of herbs. We dive deep into anatomy & physiology and Materia medica. We cover phytochemistry, tissue states, herb-drug interactions and much more. Check out the link below to see if this is a good fit for you:
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Intro to Plant Communication ~ Aug 8th
&
Flower Essences 101 ~ Aug 9th

with Teacher, Author, & creator of Brigid’s Way ~ Jen Frey


Intro to Plant Communication 
(Aug 8th, 6:30-8:30pm)

Come to learn how to connect with plant consciousness and form a deeper bond with these incredibly allies. 

Flower Essences 101 
(August 9th, 9 am- Noon)

Learn how to utilize Flower Essences for personal transformation. We will make an essence together that you can take home.

Register Here

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Community Medicine Making Circles

with Jen Halima  

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Next one: August 23rd

The Elders & Herbal Syrup

As the flowers begin to berry, we’ll touch on so much wisdom in simple and yummy ways to strengthen and protect our immune systems as the summer begin to wane and the flowers are turning to fruit. You’ll take home a bottle of elderberry & rosehip syrup made with local honey for immune support and try out some other herbal syrup recipes in class.

Register Here

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Solid Perfume-Making

with Lakeja Baylor

Saturday, September 6th, 4-5 pm

In this workshop you will be learning how to make your our own solid perfumes. Combining beeswax, botanically infused oils, and essential oils you will make & take home 2 differently scented solid perfumes.

Register Here

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Cacao Ceremony

with Angela Bates

September 14th
10:30 am – 1:30 pm 

Step into a sacred place of magic and connection for a special cacao ceremony featuring Keith’s Cacao. You will experience a heart-opening journey guided by ritual, intention, and he healing spirit of cacao. The ceremony will include gentle clearing practices, storytelling about the cacao being served, a sound meditation, and, of course, drinking the world’s finest ceremonial-grade cacao, all while allowing the energy of this beautiful medicine to awaken you to move love, more fun, and support you in getting out of your own way. Come as you are, leave transformed.

Register Here

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Sunday Morning Tea Ceremonies

with Silvy Franco

Join Silvy for a meditative ceremony to commune with Camelia sinensis. Come for quiet reflection as you sip on several cups of tea following Japanese tradition. Ceremony begins at 9:30 am and goes for an hour. Pre-registration is required.

Suggested Donation: $25

Register Here