In the 17th century, blessed thistle was already recommended to disinfect wounds and to relieve ulcers and gangrene. Today, its use is still widespread in the field of phytotherapy. Discover in the next lines the benefits of this bitter plant to alleviate difficult digestions and great tiredness.
Présentation botanique du chardon bénit
The blessed thistle (also spelled "blessed") or Cnicus benedictus in Latin is a plant of the Asteraceae family. It grows in rocky terrain, wastelands or cultivated fields in Mediterranean regions. It is an annual plant from 20 to 50 cm high with spiny leaves with white and protruding veins and presenting yellow flower heads in tube crowned with leaves. It blooms in June-July.
The blessed thistle is also called blessed knapweed.
Principaux constituants du chardon bénit
The blessed thistle mainly contains sesquiterpenes including cnicin which is a bitter principle, flavonoids which areantioxidants of plant origin as well as triterpenes , phytosterols(natural anti-cholesterols) and an aromatic essence.
Propriétés médicinales du chardon bénit
The blessed thistle is a bitter tonic. It is therefore stomachic and digestive. In other words, this herb stimulates the appetite and aids digestion by activating the secretions of the stomach, intestine and gallbladder.
The blessed thistle is also considered as a tonic when anemia or asthenia (state of chronic fatigue). It will therefore be recommended in cases of great fatigue, convalescence and general weakness.
In addition, its stimulating properties of the digestive system will be of good help for all problems related to a "lazy" stomach: acidity problem, aerophagia, dilatation or descent of the stomach.
The cnicin referred to above is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It is this same molecule that is also responsible for the bitter taste that is so pronounced and which, as a result, gives it its digestive properties. Indeed, it is thanks to the bitterness that the salivary glands as well as the gastric juices are stimulated.
Blessed thistle is not just confined to the digestive sphere. It is also known for its depurative and diuretic action which, as part of an adapted lifestyle, makes it a choice ally to evacuate uric acid which tends to lodge in the joints then causing rheumatic pain and/or gout attacks.
Finally, blessed thistle is also an excellent febrifuge (lowers fever).
Conseil d’utilisation du chardon bénit
Here are some tips for use taken from the Petit Larrousse des plantes qui guérissent. These in no way exempt you from consulting your doctor, pharmacist or naturopath to adjust your dosage and personalize your support all the more so if you are taking a treatment whether allopathic or not. Phytotherapy is not an "alternative medicine"...
Par voie interne :
Infusion - 15g to 60g per liter of water for 10 minutes. Drink 3 cups a day.
Maceration - 5 g of flowers per cup of water. Leave to macerate for 6 hours, then filter and sweeten to your liking after heating. Take one cup before each meal.
Wine - The bitter principle of blessed thistle disappears in alcohol by losing its bitterness. Put to infuse 30 to 60 g of flowers in 1 liter of boiling wine. Take 3 mustard glasses per day. It is also possible to macerate the plant in white brandy before covering with wine.
Par voie externe :
Decoction of leaves to relieve ulcerations and heal wounds.
If you can't find it as a dry plant, you can order it in capsules. In this case, please refer to the advice of the laboratory and your natural health advisor.
Chardon bénit : contre-indication et effets indésirables
The blessed thistle is not recommended during pregnancy because it can be abortive or cause contractions.
Above 5g per cup, its high tannin content can causegastric irritation and nausea or even vomiting.
Caution for those allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family: dandelion, chrysanthemum, daisy, sunflower...