Practical
Plants

Cnicus benedictus

Blessed Thistle

an annual member of the Cnicus genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cnicus
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw[15][14]. Flower heads, harvested before the flowers open, have been used as a globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) substitute[14]. The flower heads are rather small and using them in this way is very fiddly[K]. Root - boiled as a pot herb[14]. The herb is used as a flavouring[2][7] (the part that is used is not specified).

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The blessed thistle was widely cultivated in the middle ages, when it was seen as a cure-all for all manner of diseases including the plague[13]. Although less widely used nowadays, it is still seen to have a wide range of applications though it is mainly employed as an ingredient in herbal tonics[14]. The whole plant is astringent, bitter, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, strongly emetic in large doses, emmenagogue, galactogogue, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[15][17][18][10][5][9][12][14]. A warm infusion of the plant is said to be one of the most effective means of improving the milk supply of a nursing mother[15]. An infusion of the whole plant has also been used as a contraceptive[11] and is often used in the treatment of liver and gall bladder problems[18]. The plant is also used internally in the treatment of anorexia, poor appetite associated with depression, dyspepsia, flatulent colic etc[13]. The whole plant was infused overnight in cold water and the liquid drunk three times daily in the treatment of VD. Men were required to run after each dose in order to encourage sweating. The treatment often caused nausea and vomiting[11] - excessive doses of the plant cause vomiting[17]. The plant is used externally in the treatment of wounds and ulcers[13]. The plant is harvested in the summer as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[15]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[18]. It is used in the treatment of the liver and gall bladder[18].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
VD

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good quality oil is obtained from the seed[15][16]. It has been used in emergencies when other oils were not available[12].

Product or use
Oil

Environment

Range
S. Europe to W. Asia. An infrequent casual in Britain[6].
Habitat
Dry sunny places in arable, stony and waste ground[17][18][5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in situ in the spring or early autumn[3]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 10°c[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a dry soil and a sunny position[17]. Grows best in a well manured soil[14]. A very ornamental plant, it is often cultivated in Europe as a medicinal herb and for its oil yielding seed[18][16].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

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  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  9. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

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  10. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  11. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  12. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  13. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  16. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  17. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  18. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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