Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.) and other Dipsacus species: Forgotten medicines are rising from the grave

Abstract

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.) is an old traditional herbal medicine with a wide range of indications similar to some other species of the Dipsacus genus. In folk medicine, it is used mainly for rheumatism and gastric and duodenal ulcers.

In the form of compresses, it has proven itself on cracked skin. It contains a number of bioactive substances (iridoid glycosides, triterpenoid saponins, polysaccharides, phenolic acids), whose research brings interesting results, including effects on nervous system.

So far, however, only preclinical studies are available.

Keywords

• teasel
• Dipsacus fullonum
• iridoid glycosides
• triterpenoid saponins
• polysaccharides
• phenolic acids