March 2013
Dear Friends,
Isn’t it wonderful when you find a treatment for an ailment such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) and you find that the side effects are: oxygenating the heart and brain, balancing hormones and aiding digestion. Such is the case with Blessed Thistle.
Blessed Thistle is a bitter herb that has a long history of relieving digestive disorders. Bitters in blessed thistle stimulate the secretion of bile and digestive juices in the stomach and aid in the breakdown of fats, and assists in the assimilation of nutrients. It is effective in treating gas, constipation, UTIs and acid reflux.
Blessed thistle herb is also considered a depurative, having diuretic properties; that help to purify the system by ridding the body of toxins. The medicinal actions of Blessed Thistle help support and repair the liver, pancreas, bladder and spleen. It is an effective treatment for gallstones and hepatitis.
I have found that urinary tract infections respond as well to being treated with gentian and blessed thistle as they do to antibiotics. And the herbs don’t harm the delicate beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. Antibiotics indiscriminately kill off bacteria including friendly microorganisms that prevent diarrhea, constipation and fibromyalgia. Keep in mind that this level of safety can only be obtained by using the whole herb. As soon as it is chemically extracted and dissected in the laboratory, it becomes an unbalanced chemical.
The botanical name for Blessed Thistle is Cnicus benedictus. It is an interesting story on how it was said to have obtained its blessed name.
It is told that during the reign of the medieval King Charlemagne, his troops became infected with the plague. An angel came to King Charlemagne in his dreams and told him to shoot an arrow in the air and the arrow would land on a plant that would heal his men. The king did as he was told and the arrow fell on a big patch of Cnicus benedictus. The King fed this plant to his soldiers and their lives were saved. Hence the plant was given the name the “Blessed Thistle”.
When breast-feeding mothers are having trouble supplying enough milk for their babies, blessed thistle tea or tincture will stimulate blood flow to the mammary glands increasing milk production. When used as a tea it is prudent to mix it with chamomile, fennel or mint to veil the bitter taste.
Blessed thistle is a magnificent herb for hormone balancing for men and women.
It has been used historically as a tonic for the lungs and heart. It thins mucus, strengthens the heart and oxygenates the brain.
Blessed thistle does appear to have antimicrobial properties, killing bacteria and fungi. In addition, blessed thistle has also established that it works by inhibiting or preventing the growth and spread of tumors or malignant cells by obstructing the development of atypical or cancerous cells, thereby proving to be hopeful in cancer treatment.
I use blessed thistle in two of my herbal tinctures; Hepa-Health and Wise Woman’s Way. In Hepa-Health it is one of the bitter herbs I use to treat urinary tract infections, gallbladder problems and hepatitis. In Wise Woman’s Way it helps to regulate hormones and maintain a healthy uterus and breasts.
Love and Light, Lori
