Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Teasel (Dipsacus spp.), particularly Dipsacus fullonum, is sometimes promoted in alternative and herbal medicine communities as a supportive treatment for Lyme disease. This use is based primarily on traditional and anecdotal reports rather than rigorous scientific validation. In traditional European and Chinese herbal medicine, teasel root has historically been used for conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, to promote circulation, and for "tonifying the liver and kidneys," but not specifically for Lyme disease, which is a relatively recent diagnosis (identified in the 1970s). Its application for Lyme disease appears to have arisen in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, largely due to recommendations from herbalists and patient testimonials rather than clinical studies.

The scientific evidence for teasel’s effectiveness against Lyme disease is extremely limited. There are no robust clinical trials or peer-reviewed studies demonstrating that teasel root or teasel extracts directly treat or cure Borrelia burgdorferi infection, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Some in vitro studies have examined herbal extracts for antimicrobial activity, but teasel has not shown notable efficacy against Borrelia in these contexts. The prevailing consensus in the medical and scientific community is that antibiotics remain the only proven treatment for Lyme disease. Use of teasel is therefore rated as having minimal evidence (1/5) and is rooted in tradition and anecdote rather than scientific proof.

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