Blessed Thistle Benefits | Digestive Health & Breastfeeding
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to increase breast milk production and stimulate digestion.
Blessed Thistle Pharmacology
Botanical Name
Cnicus benedictus
Other Common Names
Carduus benedictus, Holy Thistle, Safran Sauvage, St. Benedict Thistle & Spotted Thistle.
Part Used
Flowering Herb
Main Therapeutic Compounds
Bitter compounds, glycoside tannins, minerals, lignan lactones, phytosterols, triterpenoids, volatile oils & flavonoids.
Herbal Actions
Antidiarrhoeal
Bitter Tonic
Wound Healing
Antiseptic
Galactagogue
Cholagogue
Anti-Inflammatory
Blessed Thistle Herbal Benefits
Breastfeeding | Indigestion | Gas & Bloating | Digestive Health
Digestion & Liver Function
Blessed Thistle is known to have cholagogue actions by promoting bile production and improving liver detoxification. Blessed Thistle may help to relieve poor liver and digestive function symptoms, such as lack of energy, appetite loss, nausea, flatulence and bloating. Blessed Thistle's ability to stimulate bile boosts the production of digestive acids and enzymes, enabling the body to metabolise fat and protein more efficiently and enhance digestion.
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Microbial
Blessed Thistle contains the compound cnicin, which has been found to have anti-inflammatory actions in small studies. Cnicin has also been effective against certain microbes such as Bacillus subtilis, Brucella species, Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus faecalis.
Stimulates Breast Milk Production
Recent research has suggested a combination of Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek has effective galactagogue actions and stimulates breast milk production in lactating mothers.
Blessed Thistle Typical Use
Dried Herb & Powder
1 teaspoon of dried herb per 1 cup of boiling water.
Tincture & Liquid Extract
Typical use of Blessed Thistle tincture or liquid extract is approximately 2-5mls daily in divided doses, or as directed by your practitioner.
Herbal Combinations
Blessed Thisle combines well with Fenugreek, Goats Rue, St Marys Thistle & Dandelion Root.
Cautions & Safety
Not recommended during pregnancy. Usually safe during breastfeeding under the guidance of a herbal practitioner.
Blessed Thistle may irritate the gastrointestinal tract in some people.
If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical medications, please consult your primary healthcare practitioner prior to use.
References
Goodman GA, Rall TW, Nies AS, Taylor P. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
Schneider, G. and Lachner, I. [Analysis and action of cnicin]. Planta Med 1987;53(3):247-251
Kataria H. Phytochemical investigation of medicinal plant Cnicus wallichii and Cnicus benedictus L. Asian J Chem 1995;7:227-228.
Vanhaelen M and Vanhaelen-Fastre R. Lactonic lignans from Cnicus benedictus. Phytochemistry 1975;14:2709.
Vanhaelen-Fastre, R. and Vanhaelen, M. Antibiotic and cytotoxic activity of cnicin and of its hydrolysis products. Chemical structure - biological activity relationship. Planta Med 1976;29(2):179-189.
Chevallier A. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. New York, NY: DK Publishing, 1996.
The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal primary healthcare practitioner. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Naturopath Herbals nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their doctors or qualified health professionals before beginning any herbal product, nutritional supplement or lifestyle program.