Blessed Thistle (Cnicus Benedictus L.)
  
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus Benedictus L.)
Background
Blessed thistle leaves, stems, and flowers have traditionally been used in "bitter" tonic drinks and in other preparations taken by mouth to enhance appetite and digestion. Blessed thistle may also be included in the unproven anti-cancer herbal remedy Essiac. This herb has been tested in laboratory studies for its properties against infections, cancer, and inflammation with promising results. However, no high-quality trials have shown benefits in humans.
Synonyms
Bitter thistle, cardin, Carbenia benedicta, Chardon Benit, Cardo Santo, Carduus benedictus, Cnici benedicti Herba, cnicus, holy thistle, Kardo-benedictenkraut, St. Benedict thistle, spotted thistle.
Note : Blessed thistle should not be mistaken for milk thistle ( Silybum marianus ) or other members of the thistle family.
Evidence
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Uses based on scientific evidenceGrade*Bacterial infections
Laboratory studies report that blessed thistle (and chemicals in blessed thistle such as cnicin and polyacetylene) have activity against several types of bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis , Brucella species, Escherichia coli , Proteus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus . However, other studies have found no effects against Klebsiella , Pseudomonas , S. aureus , S. tyhpi , or yeast. There are no reliable studies in humans. Further evidence is necessary in this area before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
C
Viral infections
Laboratory studies report no activity of blessed thistle against herpes viruses, influenza, or poliovirus. Effects of blessed thistle (or chemicals in blessed thistle called lignans) against HIV are not clear. There is no reliable human research of blessed thistle as a treatment for viral infections.
C
Indigestion and flatulence (gas)
Blessed thistle is traditionally believed to stimulate stomach acid secretion, and has been used as a treatment for indigestion or gas. However, there is limited scientific study in these areas. Additional research is needed before a firm conclusion can be reached.
C
* Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use;
B: Good scientific evidence for this use;
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use;
D: Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work);
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work).
Uses based on tradition or theory
The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Abortifacient, anorexia, appetite stimulant, astringent, bleeding, blood purifier, boils, breast milk stimulant, bubonic plague, cervical dysplasia, choleretic (bile flow stimulant), colds, contraceptive (birth control), diaphoretic (sweat stimulant), diarrhea, digestion enhancement, diuretic (increasing urine), expectorant, fever reducer, gallbladder disease, liver disorders, inflammation, jaundice, malaria, memory improvement, menstrual flow stimulant, menstrual disorders, painful menstruation, rabies, salivation stimulant, skin ulcers, wound healing, yeast infections.
Dosing
The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.
Standardization
Standardization involves measuring the amount of certain chemicals in products to try to make different preparations similar to each other. It is not always known if the chemicals being measured are the "active" ingredients. There is no widely accepted standardization for blessed thistle, although there are laboratory tests available to determine the presence of the "bitter" constituent cnicin. Pharmacopeial-grade blessed thistle is often assigned a "bitterness value" that is greater than 800.
Blessed thistle herbal preparations are often obtained from the leaves and flowers of the plant.
Adults (over 18 years old)
Tea : Traditional doses include 1.5 to 3.0 grams of dried blessed thistle flowering tops steeped in 150 milliliters of boiling water taken three times daily, or 1 to 3 teaspoons of dried blessed thistle herb in one cup of boiling water for 5 to 15 minutes taken three times daily (sometimes recommended to be used 30 minutes before meals). May be bitter in taste.
Tincture (1.5 grams of blessed thistle per liter) : 7.5 to 10 milliliters by mouth taken three times daily has been used.
Liquid extract (1 gram of blessed thistle per 1 milliliter of 25% alcohol): 1.5 to 3.0 milliliters by mouth taken three times daily has been used.
Children (under 18 years old)
Not recommended due to lack of lack of reliable safety data.
Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Allergies
Allergic reactions to blessed thistle (including contact dermatitis) may occur, as well as cross-reactivity to mugwort and echinacea. Cross-reactivity may also occur with bitter weed, blanket flower, chrysanthemum, coltsfoot, daisy, dandelion, dwarf sunflower, goldenrod, marigold, prairie sage, ragweed, or other plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family.
Side Effects and Warnings
Blessed thistle is generally considered to be safe when used by mouth in recommended doses for short periods of time, with few reported side effects. Direct contact with blessed thistle can cause skin irritation (contact dermatitis) or irritation of the eyes.
Anecdotally, blessed thistle taken in high doses (for example, greater than 5 grams per cup of tea) may cause stomach irritation and vomiting. Blessed thistle is traditionally believed to increase stomach acid secretion, and may be inadvisable in patients with stomach ulcers, reflux disease (heartburn), hiatal hernia, or Barrett's esophagus.
Blessed thistle contains approximately 8% tannins. Long-term ingestion of plants containing greater than 10% tannins may cause gastrointestinal upset, liver disease, kidney toxicity, or increased risk of developing esophageal or nasal cancer. The effects in humans of blessed thistle tannins are not known.
Laboratory studies suggest that blessed thistle may increase the risk of bleeding, although effects in humans are not known. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or taking agents that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided when driving or operating heavy machinery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Blessed thistle has been used traditionally to stimulate menstruation and abortion, and therefore should be avoided during pregnancy. Although blessed thistle has been used historically to stimulate breast milk flow, it is not recommended during breastfeeding due to limited safety information. There is no reliable research available in these areas.
Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol, and should be avoided during pregnancy.
References
1. Cobb E. Antineoplastic agent from Cnicus benedictus. Patent Brit 1973;335:181.
2. Eich E, Pertz H, Kaloga M, et al. (-)-Arctigenin as a lead structure for inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 integrase. J Med Chem 1996;39(1):86-95.
3. Kataria H. Phytochemical investigation of medicinal plant Cnicus wallichii and Cnicus benedictus L. Asian J Chem 1995;7:227-228.
4. May G, Willuhn G. [Antiviral effect of aqueous plant extracts in tissue culture]. Arzneimittelforschung 1978;28(1):1-7.
5. Novitch M, Schweiker R. Orally administered menstrual drug products for over-the-counter human use. Federal Register 1982;47:55076-55101.
6. Perez C, Anesini C. In vitro antibacterial activity of Argentine folk medicinal plants against Salmonella typhi. J Ethnopharmacol 1994;44(1):41-46.
7. Perez C, Anesini C. Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Argentinean medicinal plants. Fitoterapia 1994;65(2):169-172.
8. Recio M, Rios J, Villar A. Antimicrobial activity of selected plants employed in the Spanish Mediterranean area. Part II. Phytother Res 1989;3:77-80.
9. Ryu SY, Ahn JW, Kang YH, et al. Antiproliferative effect of arctigenin and arctiin. Arch Pharm Res 1995;18(6):462-463.
10. Schimmer O, Kruger A, Paulini H, et al. An evaluation of 55 commercial plant extracts in the Ames mutagenicity test. Pharmazie 1994;49(6):448-451.
11. Schneider G, Lachner I. [Analysis and action of cnicin]. Planta Med 1987;53(3):247-251.
12. Ubelen A, Berkan T. Triterpenic and steroidal compounds of Cnicus benedictus. Planta Medica 1977;31:375-377.
13. Vanhaelen M, Vanhaelen-Fastre R. Lactonic lignans from Cnicus benedictus. Phytochemistry 1975;14:2709.
14. Vanhaelen-Fastre R, Vanhaelen M. [Antibiotic and cytotoxic activity of cnicin and of its hydrolysis products. Chemical structure - biological activity relationship (author's transl)]. Planta Med 1976;29(2):179-189.
15. Vanhaelen-Fastre R. [Antibiotic and cytotoxic activity of cnicin isolated from Cnicus benedictus L]. J Pharm Belg 1972;27(6):683-688.
16. Vanhaelen-Fastre R. [Constitution and antibiotical properties of the essential oil of Cnicus benedictus]. Planta Med 1973;24(2):165-175.
17. Vanhaelen-Fastre R. [Polyacetylen compounds from Cnicus benedictus]. Planta Medica 1974;25:47-59.
18. Yang L, Lin S, Yang T, et al. Synthesis of anti-HIV activity of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 1996;6(8):941-944.
19. Zeller W, de Gols M, Hausen BM. The sensitizing capacity of Compositae plants. VI. Guinea pig sensitization experiments with ornamental plants and weeds using different methods. Arch Dermatol Res 1985;277(1):28-35.
January 01, 2004 
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