Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a flowering plant with sharp prickles on the stems and leaves. It’s native to the Mediterranean region.
Blessed thistle contains chemicals called tannins, which might help with diarrhea, cough, and swelling.
People use blessed thistle for indigestion, infections, wounds, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses and Effectiveness
There is interest in using blessed thistle for a number of purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Safety and Side Effects
When applied to the skin: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if blessed thistle is safe or what the side effects might be. Blessed thistle might cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Special precautions & warnings:
Pregnancy: Blessed thistle is likely unsafe to use while pregnant. Don’t use it.
Breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if blessed thistle is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Intestinal problems, such as infections, Crohn’s disease, and other inflammatory conditions: Don’t take blessed thistle if you have any of these conditions. It might irritate the stomach and intestines.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Blessed thistle might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.
Interactions with Medications
- Antacids
- Antacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Blessed thistle can increase stomach acid. Taking blessed thistle might decrease the effects of antacids.
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers)
- H2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acid. Blessed thistle can increase stomach acid. Taking blessed thistle might decrease the effects of H2-blockers.
Some common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors)
- Proton pump inhibitors are used to decrease stomach acid. Blessed thistle can increase stomach acid. Taking blessed thistle might decrease the effects of proton pump inhibitors.
Some common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
Interactions with Herbs and Supplements
- There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with Foods
- There are no known interactions with foods.
Dosage
Other Names
Carbenia Benedicta, Cardo Bendito, Cardo Santo, Carduus, Carduus Benedictus, Chardon Béni, Chardon Bénit, Chardon Marbré, Cnici Benedicti Herba, Cnicus, Cnicus benedictus, Holy Thistle, Safran Sauvage, Spotted Thistle, St. Benedict Thistle.
Source: MedlinePlus