Blessed Thistle

Latin Name: Cnicus benedictus Other names: Holy Thistle Element: Earth Planets: Moon Goddess/Gods Great Mother, Gaia, Pan Gender : Feminine Magickal Uses: Purification Protection hex-breaking spells motherhood

Medicinal Properties: Diaphoretic, emetic, tonic, stimulant, fegrifuge, One of the oldest folk remedies for the treatment of amenorrhea (absence of the menstrual cycle after the onset of menstruation). Increases appetite, and stomach secretions. Heals the liver. Improves poor circulation, purifies the blood, increases bile production, helps sluggish appetite, stimulates memory, resolves blood clots, strengthens the heart, and alleviates pneumonitis (inflammation of the lung tissue). Aids milk flow in the nursing mother. Use for colds, fever, headaches, the tea helps digestive problems, as well as gas in the intestines, constipation, and liver troubles, dropsy. Care should be taken not to make the tea too strong as it may cause vomiting. Tea also used for boils, chilblains, deafness, gout, migraines, suppressed menses, jaundice, and ringworm. Medicinal Part : The plant Legends, Myths and Stories Blessed thistle has been used medicinally for centuries. Once considered a rank weed and an obscure food plant (young leaves with spines removed are edible), in recent years this thistle has gained prominence as a medicinal plant, especially in Europe. Clinical trials have found it useful in the treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning; it is credited with saving a number of lives in Europe. For menstrual problems, it is taken in combination with other herbs such as ginger, cramp bark, and blue cohosh root. This herb is often included in commercial herbal preparations designed specifically for women. Blessed thistle is sometimes cultivated, but mostly it has escaped from garden areas.