Thistle, Blessed

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)
Also known as: Holy Thistle, St. Benedict’s Thistle*

Blessed Thistle is a spiny, medicinal annual herb known for its bitter leaves and golden thistle-like blooms. Native to the Mediterranean and long honored in European monastic medicine, this plant has been used for centuries as a digestive stimulant, liver tonic, and galactagogue (to increase breast milk). Its dramatic, spiny form makes it a bold presence in herb gardens and drought-tolerant plantings, where it serves both medicinal and ecological roles.

Key Characteristics

• Traditional Medicinal Use – Leaves and Flowering Tops
  Blessed Thistle is traditionally used to stimulate appetite, aid digestion, and support liver function. The leaves and flowering tops are steeped into teas or tinctured for use as a bitter tonic. It’s also historically used by midwives and herbalists to support lactation and postpartum recovery.

• Bitter Digestive Tonic
  As a classic bitter herb, Blessed Thistle helps trigger the digestive reflex, improving bile flow and preparing the stomach for food. It’s often included in herbal bitters formulas to support sluggish digestion and liver health.

• Galactagogue for Breastfeeding Support
  In traditional herbal medicine, Blessed Thistle has been used to promote breast milk production, especially in combination with herbs like fenugreek and fennel. This use makes it a valuable plant in herbal postpartum care blends and teas.

• Drought-Tolerant and Hardy in Poor Soils
  Adapted to dry, rocky soils and intense sun, Blessed Thistle is ideal for tough garden sites and water-wise medicinal plantings. Its deeply toothed leaves and spiny flower heads create a sculptural presence, though care should be taken in placement due to its prickly nature.

Product Details

• Native range: Mediterranean region

• Plant life cycle: Annual

• Sun requirements: Full sun

• Soil requirements: Dry to medium, well-drained soil

• Mature height: 1.5 to 2.5 feet

• Bloom time: May to July

• Bloom color: Yellow (with spiny green bracts)

• USDA Hardiness zones: Grown as annual in zones 4–9

Blessed Thistle offers strong medicine in a bold, spiny package. With its bitter flavor, bright yellow blooms, and ancient uses, it’s a unique and powerful addition to any serious herb garden.