blessed thistle

Blessed thistle is a bitter-tasting, prickly, flowering plant, Cnicus benedictus, belonging to the daisy family of plants, native to the Mediterranean region. Blessed thistle leaves, stems, and flowerheads have been traditionally used for many purposes, including gastrointestinal ailments, increasing breast milk secretion, cough, and wound healing, however, there are no scientific studies to support the efficacy and safety for any of the indicated uses.

The therapeutic properties of blessed thistle are believed to stimulate appetite, promote menstrual flow, augment breast milk production and increase sweating. It is also purported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-proliferative and wound healing properties. The medicinal effects of blessed thistle may be from the bioactive substance it contains, which include sesquiterpene lactones, of which cnicin is the major constituent, triterpenoids, lignans, tannins, essential oils, flavonoids, and polyenes.

Blessed thistle was used in the middle ages as a tonic and to treat small pox and bubonic plague, and was cultivated by the Benedictine monks from whom the plant derives its name. Ancient Europeans ate the leaf fresh, boiled the root and used it as a vegetable, and even used it as a nutritious fodder for cattle. Blessed thistle is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the FDA and is used as a flavoring agent in Benedictine, an alcoholic liqueur.

The suggested uses of blessed thistle include:

Oral use:

• Appetite stimulant
• Gas (flatulence)
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Cold
• Cough
• Fever
• Bacterial infections

Topical use:

• Boils
• Wounds
• Ulcers

• Do not take blessed thistle if you are allergic to blessed thistle or other plants in the Asteraceae family including ragweed, daisies, marigolds and chrysanthemums.
• Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Do not administer to children and adolescents below 18 years of age.
• Do not take blessed thistle if you have any of the following conditions:
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Inflammatory bowel conditions
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Ulcers

Common side effects of blessed thistle include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach upset
• Stomach cramps
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:

• Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
• Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.

This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

There isn’t adequate information on appropriate dosages of blessed thistle.

Suggested dosing:

Adults

Infusion

• 2 g/150 mL water orally once daily

Tea

• 1 cup (1.5-3 g/150 mL water) orally three time daily
• 4-6 g/d orally divided three times daily (recommended by the German Commission E monograph)

Tincture (1 g/5 mL)

• 10 mL orally once daily

Fluid extract (1 g/mL)

• 2 mL orally once daily OR 1.5-3 mL (1:1 in 25% alcohol) orally three times daily

Overdose

Blessed thistle overdose may cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea and vomiting, which should resolve with discontinuation of blessed thistle and adequate fluid intake.

Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.

• Blessed thistle has no known severe, serious or moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Mild interactions of blessed thistle include:
  • aluminum hydroxide
  • calcium carbonate
  • cimetidine
  • dexlansoprazole
  • esomeprazole
  • famotidine
  • ibuprofen/famotidine
  • lansoprazole
  • nizatidine
  • omeprazole
  • pantoprazole
  • rabeprazole
  • sodium bicarbonate
  • sodium citrate/citric acid

The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.

It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.

• There isn’t enough reliable information on the safety of using blessed thistle during pregnancy. Topical use may not cause fetal harm, however avoid taking orally, it may cause loss of pregnancy.
• Although blessed thistle has been traditionally used to increase milk flow, there are no scientific studies to support its efficacy. The effect on the breastfed infant is unknown. Avoid taking blessed thistle orally if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not take any herbal supplement without first checking with your physician, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Blessed thistle taken in small amounts in food, or as tea or other forms of liquids in recommended doses is likely safe for most adults.
• Take blessed thistle exactly as per label instructions. Natural products are not necessarily safe always and following suggested dosing is important.
• Check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal product, including blessed thistle, particularly if you have any health conditions or if you are taking any regular medication.
• Herbal products often contain many ingredients. Check labels for the components in the blessed thistle product you choose.
• Blessed thistle is marketed as an herbal supplement and is not regulated by the FDA. Products may differ in formulations and strengths, and labels may not always match contents. Exercise caution in choosing your product.
• Store blessed thistle products safely out of reach of children.
• In case of overdose and symptoms persist, seek medical help or contact Poison Control.