Blessed Thistle Herbarium
Latin Name: Cnicus benedictus (L.), also known as Carbenia benedicta, Carduus benedictus
Common names: Holy Thistle, Holy Ghost Herb
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae
Descriptive Characteristics: This is a red-stemmed annual that grows almost 3 feet tall. It has leaves that are spiny and leathery. The stem is also spiny. The flowers are yellow in the summer and fall (Chevallier, 2016, p. 119).
Part of the plant used: Leaves, flowers, seeds. Chevallier just says leaves and flowers.
Texture: It felt kinda sharp
Color: Light brown
Aroma: Like hay
Flavor: BITTER
Constituents: Sesquiterpese lactone glycosides (cnicin, polyacetylene, absinthin), triterpenoids (alpha-amyrenone, alpha-amyrin acetate, alpha amyrine, multiflorenol acetate), lignans (trachelogenin, arctigenin, nortracheloside), flavonoids, polyenes, tannins, and essential oils (para-cymene, fenchon, citral, cinnamaldehyde)- (Petersen, 2018, p. 170).
Therapeutic Actions: Antimicrobial (cnicin and polyacetylene), anticancer (lignans), anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, expectorant, antiviral (lignans), antibiotic, diuretic (Petersen, 2018, p. 169).
Indications: Primarily used for a bitter tonic to stimulate appetite and aid digestion. Also stimulates menstruation and is an abortifacient (Petersen, 2018, p. 168).
Formulary:
Heinerman (1996) says for both the heart and to promote breast milk (he says this is the best herb for inducing milk production) boil 1 pint of water. Remove from heat and add 1 ½ level tablespoons of dried herb. Steep 45 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup 30 minutes before feeding the baby.
Heinerman (1996) also says in Bavaria, southern Germany, this herb was used (at the time of his writing the book) for liver problems and digestive issues. For this, it’s a teaspoon of a fluid extract (recipe under dosage). He says a similar dosage can be made by combining 1 1/2t powdered blessed thistle and 1 ½ cups of vodka or brandy. Strain after 2 weeks. Store in a cool/dry place. He says if you make this, add 1 teaspoon to 4 ounces of DISTILLED water and drink on an empty stomach.
Dosage:
Petersen (2018, p. 170). Tea and decoction
Tea: dried flowers – 1.5-3g to 1 cup boiling water 3/day
1:1 25% Liquid extract: 1.5-3ml 3/day
Externally: no recommended dose
Safety: This is an abortifacient so do not use during pregnancy; mixed data on lactation – some say it increases milk production but there isn’t much science to support it. Increases stomach acid so avoid antacids and such (Petersen, 2018, p. 172). Chevallier (2016) says it may cause vomiting (p. 191).
Lab, Notes And Media:
I prepared a tea using 1 t of herb and 1 cup of boiling hot water. I waited until my son was asleep so I only needed to dodge one child. It worked out well. I only had to chase down my steeper with my herb in the bag inside it and my Tinkerbell cup. I lost track of the time while steeping it though because I was making dinner. I used my normal filtered water. The end result is a bitter tea that needs lots of honey to make it drinkable but I think it would be with some added.
Common names: Holy Thistle, Holy Ghost Herb
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae
Descriptive Characteristics: This is a red-stemmed annual that grows almost 3 feet tall. It has leaves that are spiny and leathery. The stem is also spiny. The flowers are yellow in the summer and fall (Chevallier, 2016, p. 119).
Part of the plant used: Leaves, flowers, seeds. Chevallier just says leaves and flowers.
Texture: It felt kinda sharp
Color: Light brown
Aroma: Like hay
Flavor: BITTER
Constituents: Sesquiterpese lactone glycosides (cnicin, polyacetylene, absinthin), triterpenoids (alpha-amyrenone, alpha-amyrin acetate, alpha amyrine, multiflorenol acetate), lignans (trachelogenin, arctigenin, nortracheloside), flavonoids, polyenes, tannins, and essential oils (para-cymene, fenchon, citral, cinnamaldehyde)- (Petersen, 2018, p. 170).
Therapeutic Actions: Antimicrobial (cnicin and polyacetylene), anticancer (lignans), anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, expectorant, antiviral (lignans), antibiotic, diuretic (Petersen, 2018, p. 169).
Indications: Primarily used for a bitter tonic to stimulate appetite and aid digestion. Also stimulates menstruation and is an abortifacient (Petersen, 2018, p. 168).
Formulary:
Heinerman (1996) says for both the heart and to promote breast milk (he says this is the best herb for inducing milk production) boil 1 pint of water. Remove from heat and add 1 ½ level tablespoons of dried herb. Steep 45 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup 30 minutes before feeding the baby.
Heinerman (1996) also says in Bavaria, southern Germany, this herb was used (at the time of his writing the book) for liver problems and digestive issues. For this, it’s a teaspoon of a fluid extract (recipe under dosage). He says a similar dosage can be made by combining 1 1/2t powdered blessed thistle and 1 ½ cups of vodka or brandy. Strain after 2 weeks. Store in a cool/dry place. He says if you make this, add 1 teaspoon to 4 ounces of DISTILLED water and drink on an empty stomach.
Dosage:
Petersen (2018, p. 170). Tea and decoction
Tea: dried flowers – 1.5-3g to 1 cup boiling water 3/day
1:1 25% Liquid extract: 1.5-3ml 3/day
Externally: no recommended dose
Safety: This is an abortifacient so do not use during pregnancy; mixed data on lactation – some say it increases milk production but there isn’t much science to support it. Increases stomach acid so avoid antacids and such (Petersen, 2018, p. 172). Chevallier (2016) says it may cause vomiting (p. 191).
Lab, Notes And Media:
I prepared a tea using 1 t of herb and 1 cup of boiling hot water. I waited until my son was asleep so I only needed to dodge one child. It worked out well. I only had to chase down my steeper with my herb in the bag inside it and my Tinkerbell cup. I lost track of the time while steeping it though because I was making dinner. I used my normal filtered water. The end result is a bitter tea that needs lots of honey to make it drinkable but I think it would be with some added.
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Research:
Chevallier (2016) says this was used in the Middle Ages to cure the plague. An herbalist at the time named Nicholas Turner in 1568 wrote there was nothing better than festering the sores in leaves, juice, broth, powder and water of this herb. It was also used as a migraine medication.
Heinerman (1996) says the history of use of this herb goes back to medieval times. He found herbal books from 1597 and 1568 (hence I love this books, rich history). Back then, it was used torelieve pain and inflammation of the heart. I don’t recall this but he says Shakespeare referenced this herb in Much Ado About Nothing. Makes me want to go back and look!
Paun (2019) looked into and noted the effectiveness of this herb as an anti-inflammatory though Eryngium planum was more effective in controlling diabetes.
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 191.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. P. 77-8.
Peterson, D. (2018). Herb 504: Advanced Herbal Materica Medica III. American College of Healthcare Sciences. P. 168-173.
Paun, G., Neagu, E., Moroeanu, V., Albu, C., Savin, S., and Radu, G. L. (2019). Chemical and Bioactivity Evaluation of Eryngium planum and Cnicus benedictus Polyphenolic-Rich Extracts. BioMed Research International, Article ID 3692605: 10 pages. doi: 10.1155/2019/3692605
Weiss, R. F. & Fintelmann, V. (2000) Herbal Medicine. Theime. P. 57-8, 350, 403, 412.
Chevallier (2016) says this was used in the Middle Ages to cure the plague. An herbalist at the time named Nicholas Turner in 1568 wrote there was nothing better than festering the sores in leaves, juice, broth, powder and water of this herb. It was also used as a migraine medication.
Heinerman (1996) says the history of use of this herb goes back to medieval times. He found herbal books from 1597 and 1568 (hence I love this books, rich history). Back then, it was used torelieve pain and inflammation of the heart. I don’t recall this but he says Shakespeare referenced this herb in Much Ado About Nothing. Makes me want to go back and look!
Paun (2019) looked into and noted the effectiveness of this herb as an anti-inflammatory though Eryngium planum was more effective in controlling diabetes.
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 191.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. P. 77-8.
Peterson, D. (2018). Herb 504: Advanced Herbal Materica Medica III. American College of Healthcare Sciences. P. 168-173.
Paun, G., Neagu, E., Moroeanu, V., Albu, C., Savin, S., and Radu, G. L. (2019). Chemical and Bioactivity Evaluation of Eryngium planum and Cnicus benedictus Polyphenolic-Rich Extracts. BioMed Research International, Article ID 3692605: 10 pages. doi: 10.1155/2019/3692605
Weiss, R. F. & Fintelmann, V. (2000) Herbal Medicine. Theime. P. 57-8, 350, 403, 412.
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