Japanese Teasel

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Japanese teasel (Dipsacus japonicus, called xu duan in TCM) is a herbaceous plant whose root is used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for bone and joint health, healing fractures, and supporting connective tissue.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Bone and joint support

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use and preclinical bone-related data exist. Western controlled clinical evidence is limited.

How it works

Dipsacus root contains triterpenoid saponins (dipsacosides), iridoid glycosides (asperuloside), and phenolic compounds. Preclinical studies report effects on osteoblast activity, bone mineral density, and collagen synthesis in animal models of osteoporosis. In TCM it is paired with eucommia for kidney/bone tonification. Human clinical evidence in Western literature is limited; some Chinese research has examined it in osteoporosis and fracture healing contexts.

Dosage

Traditional decoction: 9-15 g of dried root. Modern extract dosing varies; no standardization.

When and how to take it

Traditional formulas are taken twice daily. Take with food.

1 commercial form

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Root extract / decoction

Used in TCM bone-and-joint formulas.

Limited PK data.

Safety

Generally considered safe at traditional preparation doses. Modern toxicology data is limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited modern safety data.

Interactions

Insufficient data on drug interactions.

Food sources

Not a food source

Amount
N/A
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

What is Japanese teasel used for?⌄

In TCM, for fractures, joint pain, low back pain, and bone tonification. Western clinical evidence is limited.

References

Japanese Teasel on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Japanese Teasel on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Japanese Teasel (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.