Blessed thistle cut & sifted
Blessed thistle cut & sifted
blessed thistle
Cnicus Benedictus
Blessed thistle is in the aster family that is native to the Mediterranean. The herb was cultivated in Medieval monastery gardens after King Charlemagne was visited by an angel. According to the legend, the king was instructed to fire an arrow into the air and whichever plant it came to rest upon was the one he should give to his soldiers who had the misfortune of contracting the plague. Whether or not the king took aim at the stand of thistle where the arrow landed is not known, but this is why the plant become “blessed.”
The blessed thistle herb is traditionally prepared in tea, tonics, and tinctures. Though blessed thistle tea is common, blessed thistle herb has also become a popular flavoring herb for aperitifs and bitters.
cut & sifted
blessed thistle
Historically, blessed thistle was very popular in Medieval England, most likely due to the legend that King Charlemagne was visited by an angel that directed use of the herb to counter everything from headache and poor memory to the black plague and smallpox. This attribution, coupled with the fact that monastery monks were tasked with cultivating blessed thistle in quantity, is why the herb is also known as holy thistle and St. Benedict thistle.
The bitter, astringent qualities of blessed thistle are due to tannins and alkaloids, most notably a bitter compounds called cnicine. The herb is traditionally prepared as tea, tonic infusion or tincture. Blessed thistle is also made into herbal bitters and aperitif digestives. In fact, it is an ingredient in the classic angostura bitters formula.
Blessed Thistle is native to Africa, Asia and Europe but has naturalized in other areas including North and South America and also Australia.
health and recipes
Formulas and recipes
What is blessed thistle used for?
Blessed thistle herb used to be used as a remedy for anything, as was suggested by the angel who visited King Charlemagne. Smallpox, memory loss, the plague, anything was remedied by blessed thistle herb. Today it is mostly used for flavoring purposes, especially herbal forward alcohol or tea. Blessed thistle tinctures are also a common way of preserving the benefits of the dried herb.
Blessed thistle tea recipe
- Mix 1 tsp blessed thistle herb with another tea to counter the bitter taste
- Add 1 cup boiled water to the mixture
- Let steep for 5-10 minutes
- Remove tea blend and add honey or other natural sweeteners
Health Benefits
Blessed thistle benefits
Blessed thistle has been used for many years to soothe the body. It’s sometimes confused with milk thistle, but the two plants have very different properties and shouldn’t be used interchangeably. It has many uses for the body that make it an all around good herb to keep in your cupboard.
For example, blessed thistle can be used to relieve problems associated with indigestion and diarrhea. It can also help improve appetite. This is especially important if you’re dealing with an illness that causes you to lose your desire to eat. Blessed thistle can help you to increase your appetite and allow your body to get the nutrients it needs to fight your disease.
If you have a minor skin irritation, blessed thistle can help to relieve some of the problem. You can create a poultice and place it directly on the affected area. This will soothe pain and inflammation and help the condition to quiet down.
You can make a poultice by infusing blessed thistle with water and then soaking a cloth in it. Place the cloth directly on your skin. This can be used for treating sunburns, minor burns, scrapes, and even razor burn after shaving.
Blessed thistle is also thought to help clear out the liver. That makes it an excellent tonic for purifying the body and fighting the effects of toxins. It’s also, interestingly enough, been linked to reducing inflammation and cancer. However, not enough research has been done to show exactly how it does this.
Women also take blessed thistle to help release breast milk with a nursing infant. However, blessed thistle shouldn’t be taken if you are pregnant. However, if you’re nursing and are no longer pregnant, this can be an effective way to prevent mastitis.
Blessed thistle can be taken in many forms including capsules, tinctures, and teas. You can make a tea of blessed thistle by adding a teaspoon or two of the dried leaves to hot water. The tea can be consumed two or three times a day.
If you're using other forms, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for taking it. Most people have no problems with taking blessed thistle at the recommended dosage. However, taking too much can cause stomach upset and irritation.
If you’re looking for a way to soothe your skin, help breast milk come in, or treat liver problems, blessed thistle could be just the blessing you’ve been waiting for.