Blessed Thistle Cnicus benedictus

Actions: Bitter, tonic, astringent, hepatic; congestion, anti-inflammatory for the lungs; blood purifier; antibacterial; appetite stimulator. Indications:

Specific Uses: Digestion, heart, blood, breasts and uterus; balances hormones; increases mother's milk; good for menopause and female problems; combined with warm chamomile tea helps bring quick relief from menstrual cramps; helpful for young girls in puberty; increases circulation and oxygen to brain.

Preparations and Dosage: 12-25 drops if used as a tincture. To make a tea, stir 1 heaping teaspoon of herb into 1 or 2 cups boiling water. Remove from heat. Steep 10 minutes. Use 1/2 cup, 2-3 times a day. This herb is one of the oldest fold remedies for the treatment of amenorrhea, which is absence of the menstrual cycle after the onset of menstruation.

Blessed thistle stimulates the production of bile by the liver and is often used by folk healers to treat liver disorders. This herb is also reputed to perk up a sluggish appetite, improve circulation, and stimulate memory. Herbalists use blessed thistle to resolve blood clots and to stop bleeding. For menstruation problems, blessed thistle is usually taken in combination with other herbs such as ginger, cramp bark, and blue cohosh root. Caution: Do not use during pregnancy.

Cnicus benedictus