Blessed Thistle, Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Integrative Medicine and Holistic Medicine Information
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Blessed Thistle
Although native to Europe and Asia, Blessed Thistle is now cultivated in many areas of the world, including the United States. The leaves, stems, and flowers are all used in herbal preparations. An annual herb, the stem grows to about 2 feet tall. The lance-shaped leaves have a spiny edge and may be either lobed or cleft (deeply cut). The plant produces numerous yellow flowers during May through August that are arranged in a head at the tip of a branch or stem. The herbal-active compounds within Blessed Thistle include sesquiterpene lactones, which provides the main beneficial effects of Blessed Thistle. It is the bitterness of these compounds that stimulates digestive activity, including the flow of saliva and secretion of gastric juice. This leads to improved appetite and digestion. There is also some evidence that Blessed Thistle has anti-inflammatory properties.
Folk medicine utilized Blessed Thistle tea for digestive problems, including gas, constipation, and stomach upset. Along with that, this herb was used for treating liver and gallbladder diseases in a similar way as its well-known relative, Milk Thistle. Monks once grew Blessed Thistle as a cure for small pox. Early herbalists believed that this herb was a cure-all. They noted that the plant could prevent and cure headache, provoke sweat, help memory, strengthen the heart and stomach, and cure external problems such as festering sores, boils, and the itch. Nineteenth century herbalists prescribed Blessed Thistle as an infusion, or tea, made from the plant tops for the treatment of fevers along with liver and respiratory ailments.
Blessed Thistle may be useful in the treatment of indigestion and heartburn as well as poor appetite. In herbal medicine today, Blessed Thistle is promoted as a contraceptive, to treat cancer, and other health situations including infections, heart and liver ailments, and fevers. It is such a good blood purifier that some say drinking a cup of thistle tea twice a day will cure chronic headaches. Also, it is used for stomach and digestive problems, gas in the intestines, constipation, and liver troubles. Many have found it to be effective for dropsy, strengthening the heart, and good for the liver, lungs, and kidneys. It is claimed that the warm tea given to mothers will produce a good supply of milk and is also said to be good for girls entering womanhood as a good tonic. Blessed Thistle is relatively safe and free from side effects; however, anyone with allergies to plants in the daisy family should use Blessed Thistle cautiously.
The information obtained for this website was partially gathered from the book, Vitamins & Minerals, written by Sara Rose and published by Hamlyn in 2003. Other sources for this website were gathered from Reader's Digest The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs: The A-Z guide to enhancing your health and treating illness with nutritional supplements. Along with these two resource guides, material has been found in The Doctor's Complete Guide To Vitamins and Minerals, written by Mary Dan Eades, MD. Another resource for this website was The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines, written by Charles W. Fetrow, PharmD and Juan R. Avila, PharmD. Along with these is a book written by Earl Meindell, RPh, PhD, Recipes for Healthy Living Dr. Earl MeindellŐs Natural Remedies For 101 Ailments. Plus, the Alternative Health Dictionary. Viable Herbal Solutions website was a great help as well with this information.
The material you find should not be considered a replacement for professional medical treatment. A medical practitioner should be consulted in all matters related to health. While the advice and information are believed to be accurate and true at the time of gathering them, neither the authors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions.
This document is provided for information only; it is not intended to diagnose symptoms, prescribe treatment, or to substitute for consultation with a physician. While we have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate and extensive, only your doctor can tell you if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you.
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