We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Cnicus Benedictus?

By Stephany Seipel
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,399
Share

Cnicus benedictus, also called blessed thistle, holy thistle or Saint Benedict thistle, is an annual herb that is native to Asia and Europe but is widely cultivated throughout the United States. All parts of the plant are used to create herbal supplements. Blessed thistle contains chemicals that might have medicinal properties.

This herb was well-known and its uses were widely documented during the Middle Ages. Herbalists recommended it to patients who were suffering from gout, stomach upset and fever, among other uses. Some physicians of the period even thought it might be useful in treating the plague, and monks administered it as a treatment for smallpox.

Cnicus benedictus plants contain chemicals called sesquiterpene lactones or cnicin, as well as mucilage, alkaloids, tannins and volatile oil. The herb might have anti-inflammatory features. Some herbalists think that it helps stimulate gastric juices and saliva, which improves the digestion.

Some nursing mothers drink a tea made from the Cnicus benedictus herb to stimulate the flow of breast milk. Menopausal women use it to help regulate heavy periods. It might also be useful for triggering delayed menstrual cycles.

Blessed thistle might be useful for stimulating slow or sluggish livers. Some individuals use the herb as an expectorant, and others apply it externally as an antiseptic treatment for cuts or burns. It might also help treat chronic headaches or lethargy.

The plant chemical cnicin is used as an ingredient in alternative cancer treatment medications. In theory, the chemical acts against existing cancer cells and stops new cancer cells from forming. Blessed thistle seeds might also have anti-fungal properties.

This herb has few serious side effects. Women who are pregnant should avoid blessed thistle, and nursing mothers should use it only under a doctor's supervision. People who are allergic to ragweed might have an allergic reaction to Cnicus benedictus; individuals who suffer from Crohn's disease or other inflammatory digestive problems should also avoid this herb, because it can further irritate the stomach.

As of 2011, there were no known interactions between Cnicus benedictus and any foods or other herbs. Blessed thistle increases stomach acids, so it might lessen the benefits of medications that are designed to decrease stomach acids. People who ingest too much of the herb might also suffer from upset stomach, nausea or vomiting.

The Cnicus benedictus plant grows about 2 feet (about 61 cm) tall. It has a hairy, multi-branched stem covered in spiny, woolly, deeply lobed foliage. Yellowish-red spines surround a yellow flower head.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-cnicus-benedictus.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.