Diplosaccus sylvestris & Symphytum uplandica

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Re. Diplosaccus sylvestris (Teasel). Does anyone know of a reputable supplier who offers a tincture of the first-year root of this plant? (not the Chinese variety). It is popular among herbalists in America such as Wood and Weed, particularly as part of a treatment for Lyme's Disease. I've read that the first year roots are best but I only have 2nd year Teasels on my allotment (they appeard out of nowhere - I didn't plant them and they are not growing in the locality). I would like to try it this year for a particular client if anyone has the tincture readily available. I am also curious as to why Teasel seems to have disappeared from our European materia medica. It's mentioned in Grieve and, having employed a Goethean-style study of it, my feeling is that it is a potentially very useful ally.

Re. Symphytum uplandica. This is also growing on my allotment and I would like to have the leaf and root analysed for PA content. Please can anyone recommend a suitably qualified person/lab for this purpose, and any idea what the average cost for this kind of analysis might be. Also, am I right in thinking that all preparations of the root of S. officinale (and probably S. uplandica as well) remains officially banned from both external and internal use, while infusion and tincture of dried leaf is still officially permitted for both external and internal use?

Many thanks in anticipation,

, MNIMH