Blessed Thistle 4:1 Powdered Extract (Cnicus benedictus) 1 kg (2.2 lbs): Q
Used as an infusion and extract. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Blessed Thistle for ‘Loss of appetite, dyspepsia. Contraindications. Side Effects: Allergic reactions are possible. Mean daily dosage: 4 – 6 g of herb; equivalent preparations accordingly. Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb and dried extracts for teas; bitter-tasting galenical preparations for internal use. Action: Stimulation of the secretion of saliva and gastric juices.’ Blessed Thistle’s sesquiterpene lactones are responisble for the action described above. These bitter components also serve as hormonal balancers, particularly for the female reproductive organs. Grieve’s classic ‘A Modern Herbal’: ‘Tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, emetic and emmenagogue. It is chiefly used now for nursing mothers, the warm infusion scarcely ever failing to procure a proper supply of milk. It is considered one of the best medicines which can be used for the purpose. In large doses, Blessed Thistle acts as a strong emetic, producing vomiting with little pain and inconvenience.’ ‘Cold infusions in smaller draughts are valuable in weak and debilitated conditions of the stomach, and as a tonic, creating appetite and preventing sickness. The warm infusion – 1 oz. of the dried herb to a pint of boiling water – in doses of a wineglassful, forms in intermittent fevers one of the most useful diaphoretics to which employment can be given.’ ‘Four different ways of using Blessed Thistle have been recommended: It may be eaten in the green leaf, with bread and butter for breakfast, like Watercress; the dried leaves may be made into a powder and a drachm taken in wine or otherwise every day; a wineglassful of the juice may be taken every day, or, which is the usual and the best method, an infusion may be made of the dried herb, taken any time as a preventive, or when intended to remove disease, at bed time, as it causes copious perspiration.’ King’s 1898 Dispensatory: ‘Their odor is faint and rather disagreeable, and their taste is exceedingly bitter. Their properties are yielded to water or alcohol, forming a pleasantly-bitter draught when infused with the former fluid, but a sickening and repulsive decoction.’ ‘A cold infusion is tonic; a warm infusion diaphoretic and emmenagogue; and, if strong, emetic.’ ‘Used as a tonic in loss of appetite, dyspepsia, and intermittent diseases.’ ‘Valuable also in the forming stage of febrile and inflammatory affections. Colds may be broken up with it, and it acts well in menstrual suppression from cold.’ ‘Dose of the powder, from 10 to 60 grains; of the infusion, 2 fluid ounces; specific cnicus benedictus, 5 to 10 drops, every 4 hours.’
