Page 148 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

lifecycle, growing leaves and stems in the first year and drops total each day (three in the morning, three in the
producing flowers in the second year. It has erect hol- afternoon, and three in the evening.) Note that you
low pale green to reddish-green stems. Its stems are may have a Jarisch-Herxheimer (“herx”)” reaction if
hairless with longitudinal ridges and white spines. you have Lyme. A “herx” reaction is an adverse re-
sponse to the cytokines that are released as the Lyme
Teasel flowers June through August. It has a cylindri-
cal inflorescence of dark pink, purple, or lavender flow- bacteria are killed. Once the bacterial waste and dead
ers on the top of the flower stem. The inflorescence is bacteria are expelled this reaction goes away. This does
ovoid or conical, up to 4 inches long (10cm) and 2 mean that the spirochaetes that cause Lyme are dying,
inches (5cm) across. When the flowers drop, the flower which is good news, but you may feel worse before you
cylinder dries into spiny hard bracts with small seeds feel better.
maturing mid-autumn. Personally, I use teasel tincture in larger amounts as a
Lyme preventative when I am in an area with Lyme-
The plant has a deep taproot with fibrous secondary
roots that can grow up to 2 feet long (0.6m) and up to carrying deer ticks (see “Lyme Prevention” below).
an inch (2.5cm) in diameter. Treats Chronic Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is
Edible Use: The young leaves are edible, but the a bacterial infection of the spirochete Borrelia
short hairs make them unappetizing. They can be eaten burgdorferi and is transmitted by infected deer/black-
cooked or raw. The roots are used medicinally but are legged (Ixodes spp.) ticks. The spirochaetes drill into
not eaten. human tissue and, in time, seal themselves in by creat-
ing a biofilm, which acts as a barrier to antibiotics.
Non-Edible Use: A water-soluble blue dye, used as Teasel is not an antibiotic, but it acts to boost the effec-
an indigo substitute, is obtained from the plant. When tiveness of antibiotics, dumping the bacteria back into
the plant is mixed with alum, a yellow dye is obtained.
the blood stream where antibiotics can more easily at-
The stalks work as a spindle for friction fire, and can be tack and clear the infection. In most cases, antibiotics
paired with a clematis fireboard. given soon after infection work well for Lyme, but in
the case of Chronic Lyme Disease, where antibiotics
are not working well enough, adding teasel to the cure
can make all the difference. It may still take 6 months
or longer to clear the infection, but the teasel is thought
to draw the spirochaetes out of the tissue, thus expos-
ing them to the antibiotics. Please see suggested dosing
instructions above.

Lyme Prevention: I use teasel tincture as a Lyme
preventative when I am in an area with Lyme-carrying
ticks. I take a dropperful 2x/day if I am in the woods in
a known Lyme area. I know many other people who
work in the woods who also use teasel in this way. It
keeps Borrelia from burrowing into my tissues in case
Medicinal Use: Teasel root can be taken internally of an infection. If you do get a tick bite save the tick to
and externally, but you must be very careful with inter- get it tested for Lyme. If antibiotics are taken early
nal dosing, especially if you have, or suspect you have, Lyme can be prevented.
Lyme Disease. For Lyme, I prefer to use teasel in a tinc- Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, and Bone Frac-
ture form with a maximum dose of 9 drops split into 3
drops each in the morning, afternoon, and evening. tures: Teasel root increases blood circulation so that
the body can rebuild and repair tendons and bones. It
Begin by taking 1 drop in the morning of the first day.
On the second day, take one drop in the morning and stimulates new bone growth and helps increase bone
one in the evening. On the third day, take one drop in mass. It is an effective treatment for both Osteoporosis
the morning, afternoon, and evening. Continue adding and Osteopenia and for bone fractures once the bone
one drop each day until you reach the maximum of 9 has been properly set.

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