Blessed Thistle
Description: There are several species of thistles which have been used medicinally for years. These prickly plants are common to sunny, stony and waste places in southern Europe and western Asia; Britain and North America. All are members of the composite family and have erect stems (sometimes branched) and prickly leaves. Most are considered obnoxious weeds. Blessed thistle, however; is commonly used in herb trade. This important herb was termed “blessed” thistle from its reputation as a cure all. In fact, it was even used as a remedy for the Black Plague of the Middle Ages.
Traditional Uses: Although thistles have rough, prickly leaves, they are all edible. The stalks may be peeled and eaten raw like celery (although some varieties taste decidedly better than others), the leaves may be steamed (after the spines are cut off) and eaten as a green, the roots may be consumed raw, boiled or roasted and even the seeds are edible.
Thistles are purported to be very nutritious and to enrich the milk of nursing mothers. They are also said to be purifying to the blood and strengthening to the liver. According to Mark Pedersen, blessed thistle is high in potassium and selenium.
Some North American Indians used the seeds of the thistle to induce vomiting, while the flowers were used as a contraceptive. The Quinault Indians of Washington State used the steeped whole plant to create birth-control medicine. Its usefulness as a birth-control herb today has not been tested. It does however, help with menstrual problems such as painful menstruation and can be used to remedy a great deal of female problems. In addition, blessed thistle can be used to increase mother’s milk.
This herb is also an excellent tonic for both boys and girls entering puberty because it helps to adjust the hormonal imbalances which cause acne. Many herbalists agree that blessed thistle contains vitamins and minerals that can supply some of the materials necessary for better building and strengthening of the body during the adolescent years.
The root of this herb is commonly used in medicine to help the liver. Blessed thistle also provides strengthening effects for the brain, heart and stomach and is believed to help with memory loss and inability to concentrate. It also stimulates the appetite and has been shown to increase the flow of bile. In addition, it has a strong reputation as a fever remedy.
This annual herb has an effect similar to that of milk thistle in protecting the body against poisons. Blessed thistle, however; is not as powerful in this capacity as milk thistle.
A list of ailments which could possible be treated with thistle includes: (the most probable ones being highlighted in bold print): angina, anorexia, biliousness, bleeding, blood toxicity, boils, colds, constipation, depression, dropsy, dyspepsia, female problems, fever, flatulence, fractured bones (poultice), gallstones, headache, heart problems, hepatitis, insanity, intermittent fevers, jaundice, liver toxicity, loss of appetite, painful menstruation, nursing (to enrich milk), poisoning (especially milk thistle), poor memory and concentration, sores, swelling and weak digestion.
Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is cathartic and emetic in large doses and hence should be used in small quantities. Taking two capsules with meals twice daily is typically sufficient.
Sources
A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants by Steven Foster and James Duke.
“Blessed Thistle” by Dr. John R. Christopher in The Herbalist (June, 1977).
Global Herb Database by Steve Blake.
Illustrated Herb Encyclopedia by Kathi Keville.
Magic and Medicine of Plants by Reader’s Digest Books.
Nature Bound: Pocket Field Guide by Ron Dawson.
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen.
The Edible Wild by Berndt Berglund and Clare E. Bolsby.
