Cardebol Effect and Symbolism: a plant with power and history
With its stately silhouette, spiky stem, and striking flower head, the Teasel is anything but ordinary. This striking plant has attracted attention for centuries. Not only for its appearance, but also for its rich symbolism, traditional use, and unique properties. In this blog post, we'll share its story and the Teasel's effects in the broadest sense of the word—a combination of natural power, history, and meaning.
Leaves like Venus's pelvis
The Teasel – also called wild or large teasel – belongs to the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). It is a biennial or perennial plant that grows upright from a rosette of leaves. The stem can reach a height of two meters and bears opposite leaves that form a bowl at the base. Rainwater can collect in this bowl – a characteristic reminiscent of a Venus basin. Because of the similarity in shape and function of water, some botanists see this as a symbolic reference to the bladder and kidneys.
A remarkable comparison
At the top of the stem is an egg-shaped flower head. In July and August, it blooms with numerous lilac-colored disc flowers. The flowers bloom in a circular pattern across the bulb. With a little imagination, this is reminiscent of the alarming migrating red ring that appears after a
Symbol of protection
The Teasel's appearance is not only impressive but also symbolically charged. All parts of the plant—the stem, leaves, and flowers—are surrounded by spines. This natural armor is seen as a symbol of protection. The plant was said to ward off negative influences and was therefore often planted in (herb) gardens as a protective element.
Teasel effect in traditional medicine
The Teasel has a long tradition in both Eastern and Western medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the plant is known as Xu Duan, which literally means "repair what is broken." The power of this herb was also recognized early on in Western herbal medicine. The Greek physician Dioscorides described it as early as the 1st century AD, followed by Hildegard von Bingen, Leonard Fuchs, and Nicolas Culpeper, among others.
Teasel in the current zeitgeist
To this day, the Teasel remains a popular herbal medicine. Ethnobotanists like Wolf-Dieter Storl and phytotherapists like Matthew Wood praise the plant for its purifying and restorative qualities. Teasel also plays an active role in the Buhner protocol.
Carding wool with a teasel
The Latin name Dipsacus fullonum refers to an ancient custom. Fullonum comes from the Latin fullo, meaning wool comber. In the Middle Ages, the dried flower heads of the Teasel were used to card wool – hence the popular name "weaver's card." The prickly structure of the flower was ideally suited for loosening and roughening wool fibers, an essential part of the wool-working craft.
Teasel effect and ingredients
Teasel's unique properties are partly due to its active ingredients. The root contains a rich mix of iridoids, bitter compounds, saponins, and polyacetylenes. The leaves also contain active ingredients, albeit in different proportions. It is precisely this composition that makes the plant so unique in its use – both internally and externally, and traditionally used in various herbal preparations.
From woolly cob to powerful herb
The Teasel has proven its protective character time and again throughout the centuries.Whether you're fascinated by its symbolism, its history, or interested in its effects, this plant continues to captivate. A natural ally with a profound story.
Curious about our Teasel products? Our blog post, "The Magic of the Teasel Plant," tells you more in six unique products.
**Health claims pending European approval
