Blessed Thistle (carbenia benedicta, bitter thistle, cardo santo, cnicin, cnicus benedictus, Holy Ghost herb, spotted thistle)

Suggested dosing of Carbenia benedicta, bitter thistle (blessed thistle)

Infusion: 2 g/150 mL water PO qd

 

Tea

1 cup (1.5-3 g/150 mL water) PO TId

4-6 g/d div TID PO (recommended by the German Commission E monograph)

 

Other Information

Tincture (1 g/5 mL): 10 mL PO qd

Fluidextract (1 g/mL): 2 mL PO qD OR 1.5-3 mL (1:1 in 25% alcohol) PO TId

 

Suggested uses of Carbenia benedicta, bitter thistle (blessed thistle)

Indigestion, diarrhea, heartburn, poor appetite, flatulent dyspepsia, bronchial catarrh

Topical use: injured skin, gangrenous & indolent ulcers

 

Efficacy

Viral infections; antimicrobial effects in laboratory studies

Induced abortion: unclear safety & effective dosage

Increase breast milk flow: not recommended-see cautions

 

Carbenia benedicta, bitter thistle (blessed thistle) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

GI irritation

Vomiting (>5 g dose)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Allergy to blesssed thistle

Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcer

Pregnancy

 

Cautions

Do not confuse with milk thistle or other thistle products

Using to increase breast milk flow is discouraged since effect on nursing infant unknown

< 18 years old: not recommended

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: not recommended

Lactation: not recommended

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Carbenia benedicta, bitter thistle (blessed thistle)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Active constituent: sesquiterpene lactones including cnicin

Stimulates secretion of saliva & gastric juices; antibacterial activity