Blessed Thistle

Cnicus benedictus

COMMON NAMES

• Blessed Thistle
• Holy Thistle
• Spotted Thistle

Blessed thistle is a very useful herb for women. Blessed thistle can be taken to relieve painful periods, and for menstrual headaches. As an emmenagogue blessed thistle will help bring on suppressed periods (and so should be avoided during pregnancy). Blessed thistle can be helpful during problems with the menopause, such as heavy bleeding. The bitters in blessed thistle enhance the appetite and aid digestion, while stimulating the liver and the flow of bile. Blessed thistle is a good remedy for anorexia, indigestion, wind, colic and any condition associated with a sluggish liver such as headaches, lethargy and irritability. Its astringent action is useful for treating diarrhea.

The bitters have been shown to have an antimicrobial action, useful for enhancing the function of the immune system. Blessed thistle has also been shown to act as an antineoplastic, hindering the formation of abnormal cells, useful in cancer treatment. Blessed thistle also has diuretic properties and when taken in hot infusion is a useful diaphoretic for fevers and an expectorant for chest problems. Blessed thistle can be used to staunch bleeding of cuts, and speed healing of wounds. Blesses thistle also acts as an antiseptic.

Blessed thistle was widely used during medieval times. Frequent mention of its uses were made in some of the great herbals of that era (Gerard's Herbal in 1597 and Turner's Herbal in 1568). This particular herb had religious connotations surrounding it, hence other common names for it like "holy thistle" or "Holy Ghost herb." Blessed thistle apparently helped to relieve pain and inflammation of the heart in the 16th and 17th centuries. William Shakespeare recommends "laying it to your heart" because it "helpeth that doth hurt and annoye the hart," in his play, Much Ado about Nothing. Blessed thistle is found in moist areas, waste places, meadows and pastures.

Blessed thistle is one of the best medicines for promoting breast milk in nursing mothers. To make a tea for this and also improve the heart, just bring 1 pint of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1-1/2 level tablespoons of cut, dried herb. Let steep for 45 minutes. Strain and drink warm, 1 cup at a time about half an hour before nursing an infant. Or for convenience, a mother may wish to take the herb in the powdered form, 2 capsules three times daily during the nursing period. Powdered herb for the tea may be purchased by mail order from Indiana Botanic Gardens in Hammond or in capsule form under the Nature's Way label from any local health food store. A good blend of this and other herbs for increasing milk flow is available from Old Amish Herbs under the name Thistle Milk.

Blessed thistle is still very popular in the Black Forest of Bavaria in southern Germany for liver problems and digestive disturbances. There it is taken in 1 teaspoon doses as a fluid extract. A similar dosage can be made easily by combining 1-1/2 tablespoons of powdered blessed thistle in 1-1/2 cups of brandy or vodka. Let stand for two weeks in a pint jar, shaking vigorously each day. Then strain material and put into another jar and store in a coot, dry place. A teaspoon of this extract can be added to 4 fluid ounces of distilled water and taken on an empty stomach.

PARTS USED

Leaves, flowering tops.

USES

Holy thistle is a good bitter tonic, stimulating the secretions of the stomach, intestines, and gallbladder. Holy thistle is taken for minor digestive complaints. Holy thistle has also been a treatment for intermittent fevers. Holy thistle is mildly expectorant and is also antibiotic. Holy thistle makes a healing balm for wounds and sores.
CAUTIONS In excessive doses, holy thistle may cause vomiting. It is subject to legal restrictions in some countries

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

This Mediterranean plant flourishes on dry stony ground and in open areas. The leaves and flowering tops are collected in summer.

CONSTITUENTS

Blessed thistle contains bitter glycoside called cnicin; flavonoids, essential oil, mucilage.

USUAL DOSAGE

Many people take 2 ml three times per day of blessed thistle tincture. Approximately 2 grams of the dried herb can also be added to 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water and steeped ten to fifteen minutes to make a tea. Three cups can be drunk each day.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

Blessed thistle is relatively safe and free from side effects. Anyone with allergies to plants in the daisy family should use blessed thistle cautiously.

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