Evidence supporting the use of: Teasel (unspecified)
For the health condition: Sciatica
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Teasel (commonly referring to species in the genus Dipsacus, such as Dipsacus fullonum or Dipsacus asper) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Chinese and European herbal practices. In traditional Chinese medicine, teasel root (Dipsacus asper) has been used to "tonify the liver and kidneys" and to treat musculoskeletal pain, including conditions described as similar to low back pain and sciatica. European folk medicine also occasionally mentions teasel for joint and nerve pain. However, there is a lack of robust clinical or preclinical scientific studies specifically examining teasel’s efficacy for sciatica or nerve pain. Most uses are based on empirical tradition rather than evidence from controlled trials. The available scientific literature focuses more on potential anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects of extracts in general, but these are preliminary and not directly related to sciatica. As such, while teasel has traditional use for symptoms that overlap with sciatica, there is little scientific validation, and traditional evidence is limited and not well-documented in modern clinical terms. Therefore, its use for sciatica is primarily justified by tradition, not science.
Other health conditions supported by Teasel (unspecified)
ArthritisAutoimmune Disorders
Backache
Circulation (poor)
Inflammation
Lyme Disease
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sciatica
Stiff Neck
Tendonitis
Wounds and Sores