Practical
Plants

Dipsacus fullonum

Teasel

a biennial or perennial member of the Dipsacus genus in the family Dipsacaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Teasel is little used in modern herbalism, and its therapeutic effects are disputed[8]. Traditionally it has been used to treat conditions such as warts, fistulae (abnormal passages opening through the skin) and cancerous sores[8]. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic[11]. An infusion is said to strengthen the stomach, create an appetite, remove obstructions of the liver and treat jaundice[10][8]. The root is harvested in early autumn and dried for later use[11]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash to treat acne[9]. The plant has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, an ointment made from the roots is used to treat warts, wens and whitlows[10][6]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant[11]. It is used in the treatment of skin diseases[11].

Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A blue dye obtained from the dried plant is an indigo substitute[12]. It is water soluble[12]. A yellow is obtained when the plant is mixed with alum[3].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Habitat
Copses, stream banks, roadsides, rough pasture etc, especially on clay soils[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in early spring in situ[2]. The seed can also be sown from February to May or from August to October. All but the earlier sowings can be made outdoors.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils[1] but prefers clay[5]. Prefers a deep rich soil[4]. Requires a sunny position[4]. A good butterfly plant[7]. This is the true wild species of teasel, its bracts are too flexible to be used for combing cloth[5]. The flowering heads are much prized by flower arrangers because they keep their colour almost indefinitely when dried[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  3. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

    ↩

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  7. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  8. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  11. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page