© Unknown (see Commons) · Public domain · Commons
Dipsacus fullonum
CautionWilde Karde · (Dipsacus fullonum)
Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)
Description
Its spiky, egg-shaped flower heads made wild teasel a tool of the textile trade for centuries — the dried heads were used to raise the nap on woollen cloth ('carding'), which gives the plant its name. As a biennial, it forms a taproot only in its second year, harvested in autumn and containing iridoids such as loganin, saponins, chlorogenic acid and abundant inulin. More recently the root has become known chiefly as a folk remedy associated with joint and immune complaints; some clinical research into immune- and skin-related effects exists, but no recognised monograph has yet been established. Importantly, the popular claim of usefulness against Lyme disease has no clinical evidence behind it — physician-prescribed antibiotic treatment always takes precedence where Lyme disease is suspected. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid self-treatment with this root.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
No safety data available for pregnancy. Iridoids and saponins may have uterine-stimulating effects. Self-application during pregnancy is contraindicated.
CONTRAINDICATED during breastfeeding
No safety data for lactation. Transfer of constituents into breast milk not investigated. Internal self-application during lactation not recommended.
Dipsacus fullonum root tincture is promoted in the Buhner protocol (2005) and internet folk medicine as an adjunct therapy for Lyme borreliosis. IMPORTANT: No clinical trials in Borrelia patients demonstrating efficacy exist. In-vitro extract analyses (Vaher 2018) identified bioactive compounds in D. fullonum; clinical efficacy against Borrelia burgdorferi in humans has not been demonstrated thereby. No health claims; medical treatment of borreliosis (antibiotics) takes absolute precedence.
Preparation & dosage
Extracts from Dipsacus species (mainly D. asper, closely related to D. fullonum) show in vitro antimicrobial activity against various bacterial and fungal strains. Saponin fractions from D. asper roots inhibit phytopathogenic fungi in vitro (Choi et al. 2017). Extrapolation to D. fullonum and to clinical indications in humans is not validated.
Preparation & dosage
In European folk medicine, compresses and washes with D. fullonum tea were applied topically for eczema, warts, acne, and poorly healing wounds. The water collected in the leaf axils ('Venus's basin') was traditionally used as an eye wash and against warts. No clinical evidence.
Preparation & dosage
Steep 3–5 g dried aerial parts in 250 ml hot water for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, apply externally as wash or compress.
- Dry amount
- 3–5 g
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Xu Duan (Dipsacus asper, closely related) is used for back and joint pain and fracture healing. D. fullonum was occasionally used in European folk medicine for joint and muscle pain as a tea. No Kommission E or EMA monograph for D. fullonum.
Preparation & dosage
Simmer 2–4 g dried root in 200 ml water for 15 minutes. 2 cups daily. Not longer than 4 weeks without medical consultation.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Folk medicine tradition in parts of Europe: root extract externally for skin conditions, fistulas, and abscesses. Iridoid glycosides from D. asper roots show anti-inflammatory properties in vitro (inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis — molecular mechanism). Direct evidence for D. fullonum topically is lacking.
Preparation & dosage
Occasionally in Central European folk medicine for gastrointestinal complaints, appetite stimulation, and as a bitter tonic. Bitter compounds and iridoids stimulate bile secretion reflexively. No evidence from clinical studies; very weak data basis.
Preparation & dosage
Steep 2–3 g dried herb in 200 ml water for 10 minutes. Drink before meals.
- Dry amount
- 2–3 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is not a strongly toxic plant, but safety data for internal human use are scarce. No Kommission E or EMA monograph. NO clinical evidence of efficacy for Lyme borreliosis — medical treatment (antibiotics) takes absolute precedence. No health claims. Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should avoid self-application. Not as a substitute for evidence-based medicine.
⏱ Max continuous use: 4 weeks
No safety data available for pregnancy. Iridoids and saponins may have uterine-stimulating effects. Self-application during pregnancy is contraindicated.
No safety data for lactation. Transfer of constituents into breast milk not investigated. Internal self-application during lactation not recommended.
No paediatric safety data. Internal use in children under 12 years not recommended due to lack of data.
Drug interactions
Antibiotika (Borreliose-Behandlung)
No known pharmacodynamic interaction; combined use with antibiotic treatment not clinically investigated. Plant use must not replace or delay physician-prescribed antibiotics.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and lactation (absent safety data)
- Known hypersensitivity to plants of the Caprifoliaceae family
- Renal insufficiency (saponins may be nephrotoxic — no clinical data for D. fullonum)
Harvested part: root (autumn of the biennial plant)
- Time of day:
- Autumn (October–November) after aerial parts die back, or early spring before new growth. Biennial plant — harvest in the second year.
- Drying:
- Cut lengthwise, dry at 40–50 °C or in well-ventilated shade until brittle. Retain iridoid content through rapid drying.
- Storage:
- 18 months — Dry, dark, and cool in paper bags or dark glass. Iridoids remain stable under cool, dark storage conditions.
- Time of day:
- Herb and leaves in summer before full flowering (June–August); harvest in the morning in dry weather.
- Drying:
- Spread fresh parts loosely; dry at 35–40 °C or in shade; leaves must rustle when dry.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Protected from light and dry in paper bags. Phenolic acids are light-sensitive.
- LoganinGlycosideRoot
Iridoid glycoside; widespread in the Caprifoliaceae family; bitter; key biosynthetic precursor of monoterpene alkaloids in other plants; antimicrobial properties in vitro.
- SwerosideGlycosideRoot
Iridoid glycoside of the swertiamarin type; bitter; hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties described in animal and cell studies; main constituent of related Dipsacus species.
- Triterpensaponine (Dipsacosaponine)SaponinRoot
Complex mixture of oleanolic acid derivatives; antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi demonstrated in vitro (Choi et al. 2017 for D. asper); surfactant, potentially haemolysis-promoting at high doses.
- ChlorogensäurePhenolic acidAerial parts
Widely occurring hydroxycinnamic acid compound; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; detected in D. fullonum extracts (Vaher 2018).
- KaffeesäurePhenolic acidAerial parts
Phenolic acid; antioxidant, moderately antibacterial in vitro; identified in D. fullonum extracts (Vaher 2018).
- InulinPolysaccharideContent: bis 15 %Root
Prebiotic fructan polysaccharide; nourishes intestinal bifidobacteria; highest content in autumn-harvested teasel root.
- Flavonoide (Rutin, Hyperosid)FlavonoidAerial parts
Flavonoid glycosides; antioxidant; rutin additionally capillary-stabilising; detected in moderate amounts in wild teasel.
- [1]MonographVaher M. (2018): Extraction and Analysis of Bioactive Compounds from Dipsacus Fullonum and Galium Verum for Lyme Borreliosis Treatment. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 11(1).(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [2]MonographChoi et al. (2017): Antifungal activity of sterols and dipsacus saponins isolated from Dipsacus asper roots against phytopathogenic fungi. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology.(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [3]MonographTomassini, Foddai & Nicoletti (2004): Iridoids from Dipsacus ferox (Dipsacaceae). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 32(9):889–895.(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [4]MonographJi et al. (2012): A New Iridoid Glycoside from the Roots of Dipsacus asper. Molecules, 17(2):1419–1425.(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [6]BookPlants For A Future (PFAF): Dipsacus fullonum — Wild Teasel(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [5]WikipediaWikipedia EN: Dipsacus fullonum (Wild teasel)(accessed: 2026-05-24)