Blessed thistle: uses.

Date: Wed, 4 May 1994 18:02:49 EDT
Sender: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: Jonathan Treasure <jtreasure.AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Blessed Thistle

> I'd like to know what Blessed Thistle is used for medicinally. Any information would be great!

Jean,
Blessed Thistle or Holy Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a daisy (Compositae) like thistle: its main function is as an aromatic bitter -it has a high bitter index (bitter glycoside cninin) - and so is helpful in chronic gastric conditions. It is also anti flatulent, astringent, and selectively bacteriostatic. Can be taken with Meadowsweet against diarrhoea.

It is used in liqueurs like Benedectine/Chartreuse etc. Not to be confused with Milk Thistle - the galactogoguic/cholagoguic Silybum which is the source of silymarin.

Hope this helps -
Jonathan