Plant Profile: Blessed Thistle

Blessed Thistle

(Cnicus benedictus; Centaurea benedicta)

Family: COMPOSITAE

Energetics: Cooling. Drying. 

Taste: Sweet. Bitter.

Tissue States: Damp stagnation.

Systems Affected: Intestines. Stomach. Liver. Kidneys. 

Parts Used: Aerial parts and seed. 

Key Components: Bitter glycoside (cnicine). Flavonoids. Volatile oils (trace). Mucilage. Tannins. Sesquiterpene lactone. 

Preparations & dosage: Infusion: Tincture: Formentation: (steep 3 tbsp in 1 pint of water for 1 hour. Strain & soak cloth in the infusion. Apply the cloth to problem areas, repeating as needed. 

Actions: 

Foundational: Bitter. Astringent. Stimulant.
Primary: Diaphoretic. Diuretic. Expectorant. Alterative. Carminative. Galactogogue. Nervine.
Secondary: Tonic. Antibacterial. 

Uses: 

Sluggish digestion. Increases the flow of gastric and bile secretions. 
Loss of appetite, indigestion, dyspepsia. 

Conditions where there is a lot of mucus congestion.

Tones and decongests liver. 

Hepatitis. 

Heal liver damage.

Stimulates circulation which helps to cleanse the blood and clear toxins. 

Diarrhea. 

Hemorrhaging. 

Stimulates the mammary glands and can increase milk supply in nursing mothers. 

Headaches associated with menopause or associated with liver & digestion (frontal). Puberty & hormonal regulation in young girls. Hemostatic properties help reduce chances of hemorrhaging during child birth. Often associated with too much androgen which is most difficult for the liver to detoxify

Increases kidney function remove edema & toxins.

Apply topically to detoxify the skin and calm all sorts of skin issues such as chicken pox, acne and boils. This can be used as a protocol that also includes internal use of blessed thistle which can cause skin eruptions as the body detoxifies. The topical application can help to draw the toxins out from the skin and soothe the irritation. 

Combines well with: Kola nut. Meadowsweet. Shatavri. Nettle. Hops. Fenugreek. Blue cohosh. False unicorn root. Cramp bark. Ginger. 

Identifying: 

Growing: Perennial. Enjoys areas heavy in manure such as pastures for livestock. Likes open sunny areas. Grows in zones 5-9. It is not recommended to plant it in the garden as it is considered invasive. That being said it should be easy enough to find. 

Harvesting: Harvest leaf and flowering tops just before the flowers bloom. Harvest seed in the fall. 

Contraindications: 

Sources: 

The Complete Herbs Sourcebook: David Hoffman. Pg 223-224
The Herbal Apothecary: JJ Pursell. Pg 69-70
The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 97-98

Studies:




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, nor is it intended to replace medical advice. For educational purposes only.