|
BLESSED THISTLE
|
(Cnicus benedictus) Top Pick
|
|
Other Names
|
Holy Thistle, St. Benedict Thistle.
|
|
Description
|
Blessed Thistle is an annual plant native to Europe, Asia, and some areas in the
United States. It is also widely cultivated. The red, slender stem of the
Blessed Thistle grows about 2 feet high,
producing many branches. It can hardly keep itself
upright because of the weight of the leaves and the flowers. The stalk produces long,
narrow, dull green leaves with prominent pale veins and pale yellow flowers that appear in green
prickly heads, blooming from May through August. The entire plant is covered with a thin
down.
|
|
Classification
|
|
|
Taste
|
|
|
Balance Yin/Yang
|
|
|
Humor
|
|
|
Uses/Applications
|
Use Blessed Thistle to treat indigestion, colic, diarrhea,
debility. Use
it to increase one's appetite, help all liver problems, increase the flow of gastric and bile
secretions, reduce fever, and to stop bleeding.
Externally use as an antiseptic. It is also used in the
treatment of cancer.
|
|
Combinations
|
Balmony, Kola, Meadowsweet.
To stimulate milk flow combine with Raspberry.
|
|
Constituents
|
Flavonoids, Essential Oils, Mucilage.
|
|
Action
|
Bitter Tonic, Astringent, Anti-Bacterial, Expectorant.
|
|
Food Values
|
None.
|
|
Part Used
|
Dried Aerial Parts and Seeds.
|
|
Collection
|
Collect from early to late summer.
|
|
Preparation
|
Capsule
|
Take 1 capsule three times per day.
|
|
|
Extract
|
Take 10 - 20 drops in liquid once a day.
|
|
|
Infusion
|
Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 Tsp. dried herb. Infuse 15
minutes. Take
four times per day.
|
|
|
Tincture
|
Take 1 - 2 ml. three times per day.
|
|
Growing Directions
|
Sow the seed in the spring or fall in a sunny location. Blessed Thistle is self
propagating.
|
|
History
|
Blessed
Thistle was a popular folk remedy and tonic appreciated by monks in the Middle
Ages. It is
believed Blessed Thistle
obtained its
name from its high reputation as a heal-all, even the plague. It is mentioned in all the
treatises on the Plague.
Many Herbalist’s believe that the herb was first cultivated by Gerard prior to
1597. In
fact, its medicinal values are covered in the Herbal of Turner in 1568.
In North America Thistle has been cultivated for several
centuries.
|
|
Additional Information
|
1. Blessed Thistle is excellent in purifying and circulating the
blood. Because of this it strengthens the brain and the
memory.
2. The leaves, dried and powdered, are good for
worms.
3. It is mainly used now for nursing mothers the warm infusion scarcely ever
failing to procure a proper supply of milk.
It is considered one of the best medicines
for this
purpose.
4. In agriculture the Thistle is the recognized sign of untidiness and
neglect, found in good soil that has not been properly cared for.
5. When beaten or crushed in a mill to destroy the prickles, the leaves of all
Thistles have proved excellent food for cattle and horses.
6. The young stems of many of the Thistles is edible, and the seeds of all the
species yield a good oil by expression.
|
|
Cautions
|
1. Do not use during pregnancy.
2. Do not confuse with Milk Thistle.
3. Blessed Thistle can act as an emetic, leading to nausea or
vomiting.
|
|
Magick Information
|
|
|
Gender:
|
Masculine
|
|
Planet:
|
Mars
|
|
Element:
|
Fire
|
|
Deity:
|
None
|
|
Powers:
|
Luck, Protection
|
|
Magickal Uses:
|
Use Blessed Thistle to protect against poison, and evil
spirits. Carry it to promote good luck. Place around your home for good
luck.
|
