HerbBlessed Thistle
Traditional uses include digestive support and lactation promotion, but modern clinical trials are lacking to support these claims. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Benefits
- Traditionally used to stimulate gastric juices
- saliva
- and bile flow
- increase appetite
- facilitate digestion
- reported anti-inflammatory
- antimicrobial
- and cytotoxic activities.
Key compounds
Cnicin (sesquiterpene lactone ester)tanninssesquiterpenespotassiummanganesemagnesiumcalciumphytosterolstriterpenoidsvolatile oillinoleic acidoleic acid
May help with
- Historically used for digestive complaints
- gout
- fever
- headache
- as an emmenagogue and galactogogue
- and for intestinal worms
- also thought useful against bubonic plague.
Best for these goals
Traditionally used to stimulate gastric juicessalivaand bile flowincrease appetitefacilitate digestionreported anti-inflammatoryantimicrobialand cytotoxic activities.
How to use it
Single herb, homeopathic preparations, tea (leaves), dried flowering shoots
Evidence level
Limited
Cautions & interactions
Avoid use in pregnancy due to emmenagogue effects. Contraindicated in gastric ulcers or inflammatory bowel conditions. Potential allergy/hypersensitivity, especially with Asteraceae family. High doses (5g+) may cause vomiting. | Interactions: No major interactions documented; elevated liver enzymes reported in one case with a multi-ingredient product containing blessed thistle; use standard caution.
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