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Blessed Thistle herb (Cnicus benedictus)   Other names: Bitter thistle, cardin, Carbenia benedicta , Chardon Benit, Cardo Santo, Carduus benedictus, holy thistle, St. Benedict thistle, spotted thistle

Medicinally

Blessed thistle leaves, stems, and flowers have traditionally been used in "bitter" tonic drinks and in other preparations taken by mouth to enhance appetite and digestion. Blessed thistle is included in the unproven anti-cancer herbal remedy Essiac®.

Taken as an infusion, blessed thistle is extremely effective for promoting breast milk in nursing mothers. It is effective for other women’s problem, including menstrual cramps and hormone balance. It will also ease the effects of menopause. In addition, this infusion helps to balance the stomach and stimulate the appetite. It can also ease headaches and strengthen the memory, as it increases the oxygen supply to the brain. 

  Blessed thistle promotes secretion of saliva and gastric juices. It is used as a bitter tonic for gastrointestinal colic with gas and loose stools, atony of the gallbladder and lack of appetite. It may also be used to stimulate lactation. The constituents are bitter substances of the sesquiterpene lactone type, tannin, mucilage and essential oil. The essential oil has shown antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Blessed thistle is an abortifacient, anorexia, appetite stimulant, astringent, bleeding, blood purifier, boils, breast milk stimulant, bubonic plague, cancer, cervical dysplasia, choleretic (bile flow stimulant), colds, contraceptive (birth control), diaphoretic (sweat stimulant), diarrhea, digestion enhancement, diuretic (increasing urine), expectorant, fever reducer, gallbladder disease, inflammation, jaundice, liver disorders, malaria, memory improvement, menstrual disorders, menstrual flow stimulant, painful menstruation, rabies, salivation stimulant, skin ulcers, wound healing, yeast infections.

Cautions: A little bit of blessed thistle herb goes a long way. Blessed thistle is a powerful emetic, and so should be avoided in large doses. However, this can be a useful application of the herb - it will induce vomiting to hastily expel poisons from the body. Make an infusion, using double the amount of blessed thistle. Blessed thistle has been used traditionally to stimulate menstruation and abortion, and therefore should be avoided during pregnancy. Although blessed thistle has been used historically to stimulate breast milk flow. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid blessed thistle herb altogether; those who are taking blood thinners should consult their primary health care provider before taking any extract of cnicus benedictus

 History

One folk tale of the discovery of blessed thistle’s dynamic health-giving and life-saving powers comes to us from the days of Charlemagne. It seems that the emperor was in the middle of one of his pillage-and-plunder routines when his troops were taken ill with a dose of the plague. An angel came to Charlemagne in his sleep and told him that if he were to shoot an arrow in the air, the arrow would land on the plant that would cure his men. The arrow fell on a big old patch of Cnicus benedictus, the emperor immediately fed it to his troops, their lives were saved, and the plant was dubbed the blessed thistle.

Herbalists during the days and nights of the knights used Blessed Thistle to cure not only the plague but also agues and jaundice. The roots soaked in wine created a refreshing cocktail said to knock out bad humors and make the body strong and vital. A blood purifier, it was even eaten as a vegetable when young and tender.

Cnicus is derived from the Greek word knizein, which means ‘to torment’ and refers to the plant's thorns. The old nomenclature Carduus means ’thistle', under which family name the plant was formerly classified. The species name Benedictus is the subject of speculation.  On the one hand, the meaning ‘blessed’ may refer to the healing powers of the plant while, on the other hand, it may refer to the Benedictine monks who used the plant in the Middle Ages to combat the plague. In the 17th century, Matthiolus wrote of the blessed thistle: ”...there is hardly a better medication for cancer and other rotting damage.” Cancerous growths on the outer body were washed with ’cardobenedictine‘ water and sprinkled with the crushed herb.
Blessed Thistle is a plant found primarily in Asia and Europe.  Blessed Thistle is also referred to as "St. Benedict Thistle" and "Holy Thistle," names that reflect the fact that Blessed Thistle was a popular folk remedy and tonic appreciated by monastic monks in the Middle Ages.  In Europe, Blessed Thistle is regarded as an excellent appetite stimulant, and is used in the manufacture of "bitters" to be taken before meals to stimulate stomach and intestinal activity, and aid in digestion and circulation.  It is also used in the treatment of constipation and flatulence, and is considered an excellent heart tonic and blood purifier. The flowers of Blessed Thistle are commonly brewed to make a slightly bitter, and sweet tea that has a mild diuretic activity.  Blessed Thistle tea is used by contemporary herbalists for the treatment of a variety of liver problems, such as jaundice and hepatitis.  Blessed Thistle is a common component of herbal formulas used to relieve menstrual symptoms and painful menstruation.  Containing B-complex, calcium, iron, manganese and essential oils, Blessed Thistle can be used to increase the appetite and alleviate inflammation caused by poor digestion.  Blessed Thistle also improves circulation and purifies the blood, increasing oxygen to the brain to stimulate memory.

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For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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