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Blessed Thistle

Blessed Thistle is generally found along roadsides and in wastelands. It is an annual, and reaches to 40cm, with thistle-like appearance, has a coarse, erect, branched, and rather woolly stem. The leaves are 3 to 6 inches long, more or less hairy, with margins lobed and spiny. The yellow flower heads which appear from about May to August are borne at the ends of the branches, almost hidden by the upper leaves, and are about 1 1/2 inches long. Surrounding the flower heads are leathery scales, tipped with long, branching, yellowish-red spines. The herb has a rather disagreeable odor which is lost in drying.

	2 oz	4 oz	8 oz	1 lb
Blessed Thistle c/s	$2.50	$3.00	$5.25	$8.82
Blessed Thistle Powder	$2.50	$3.92	$7.00	$11.76

Properties/Uses - Through its bitter properties, blessed thistle increases the flow of gastric juices relieving dyspepsia, indigestion and headaches associated with liver congestion. British and German Pharmacopoeias recognize that 'bitters', including blessed thistle, stimulate bile flow and cleanse the liver. In Europe, blessed thistle, as a "bitter vegetable drug" is considered to be a medicinal agent used to stimulate appetite, aid digestion and promote health. Studies confirm that bitters increase gastric juice and bile acid secretions by increasing the flow of saliva through stimulation of specific receptors on the mucous membrane lining of the mouth. Traditionally in most countries, including England, Germany, Russia, China, India and Africa, 'bitters' are used to strengthen and tonify the body. Blessed thistle extracts also have anti-bacterial activity. Research on blessed thistle herb has demonstrated antibiotic properties for: cnicin, the essential oil and the polyacetylenes contained in the herb. The essential oil has bacteriostatic action against Staphylococcus aureus, S. faecalis, but not E. Coli. Research on blessed thistle has demonstrated that cnicin has considerable activity for stimulating cellular regeneration, detoxification and cleansing. The lignans arctiin and arctigenin, also found in burdock seed (Arctium lappa L.), are also noted for this activity and are platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists and anti-HIV as well. Cnicin also has antinflammatory activity.

Botanical Name - Cnicus benedicta

Part Used - Leaves and flowers

Common Names/Synonyms - Holy thistle, St.-Benedict's-thistle, Our Lady's thistle, bitter thistle, spotted thistle, cursed thistle, blessed cardus, spotted cardus

Cautions - Persons who are allergic to daisy family plants [Fam. Asteraceae] may experience allergy symptoms to blessed thistle.

Blessed Thistle in larger sizes


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