When boiled whole (1 leaf in 1 cup [250 ml] water), the leaves act as a diuretic and gently drain the liver and soothe fevers caused by an overtaxed liver. It is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, and spreads vigorously by wind-borne seeds and by way of its extensive, creeping root system. In the past, C. arvense has been used beneficially as a medicinal and edible herb. The flower buds can be cooked and used like globe artichokes, but they are smaller. For over 2,000 years, milk thistle has been used as a natural treatment for liver disorders. Milk thistle is often promoted for its liver-protecting effects. In gardens, flower beds, and lawns, Canada thistle’s extensive root system makes it a hassle to control. Young flower stems can be cooked and young leaves can be eaten in a salad or tossed into a sauté. The edges of the leaves are wavy in appearance. The plant is beneficial for pollinators that depend on nectar. Try again later. Creeping thistle is a patch forming, herbaceous, rhizomatous creeping perennial plant that grows about 1 to 6.5 feet (0.3-2 m) tall. Milk thistle is an herbal supplement that is claimed to have numerous health benefits. It thrives in predominantly temperate to subtropical climatic regions. Bull thistle has plumes on the achene bristles and stiff bristly hairs on the upper leaf surfaces. The barefoot warriors encountered no problems until they accidentally discovered the prickly thistles growing in the open fields surrounding the encampments. The roots were also good against poor digestion and helped treat stomach cramps. An antimicrobial study of the thistle leaves shows definite beneficial properties. Individual roots only live for about two years. In non-cropland ecosystems, Canada thistle can crowd out and replace native grasses and forbs limiting land’s recreational use. A decoction of the whole plant has been used both internally and externally to treat bleeding piles. Medical Uses for Canada Thistle. • It is very resilient. Livestock owners hate it and see it only as an invasive plant, especially since few domestic animals … Mowing or pulling this weed is not effective because it grows again from vegetative buds on the roots. Most are spindle-shaped and may be swollen or filled with fibers. History. There is not enough information available to know if blessed thistle is safe in medicine amounts. Ojibwa used it as a bowel tonic. Leaves are basal, clustering around the stems. An extract of the flowers is very effective upon yaws, a sexually transmitted tropical infection. Teeth are armed with sharp, stiff spines. Cold infusions in smaller draughts are valuable in weak and debilitated conditions of the stomach, and as a tonic, creating appetite and preventing sickness. Milk Thistle Uses. Milk thistle is partial to rocky soil and can grow up to 4 feet tall. It produces nitrate, which can be toxic to your horse if ingested in large quantities. Check the location weekly and snip off any new growth that you may see. The standard English name in its native area is creeping thistle. An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Plant Description. Canada thistle (cirsium arvense, also known as Creeping thistle in Europe and in Australia as California thistle) is one of my favorite pasture plants for a number of reasons:• It’s alfalfa-like in nutritional value. Other medicinal uses are mainly related to intestinal and skin disorders. In ancient times, it was a revered plant, and it was sacred to those believing in mythology. Flower heads may be in clusters at the tops of flowering stems. A small fire consisting of tinder is then used to ignite kindling.) Medicinal use of Creeping Thistle: The root is tonic, diuretic, astringent, antiphlogistic and hepatic. The thistle gained a bad reputation when people interacted with its prickles and when it made its way onto their properties. Red Root Mountain School of Botanical Medicinegives some examples: In The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, thistle is promoted as a liver tonic, alkalizing food and general tonic for many conditions. Historically, the plant was credited with saving lives during famines and times of scarcity. A decoction of … A number of different thistle species are listed in Hartwell' s Plants Used Against Cancer, for cancer of the breast and nose, edematous tumors, and scirrhus. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The flower buds can be cooked and used like globe artichokes, but they are smaller. The flowers and seeds of the plant have been used in medicine, too. These are the germs that have caused so much misery, disease, and death, suffered by mankind since antiquity. Personally, I prefer the stalks of second year plants in spring, when they are a foot or so high. Leaves may or may not have leafstalks or petioles. Canada thistle is a native plant to regions of Europe and Asia but is considered noxious everywhere else. Seeds are viable in the soil for up to 20 years. 4.2. Athletes in Ancient Greece used a paste made from crushed leaves to ease the muscle pains, neck cramps, and pain from bone fractures. Bull thistle root can be eaten and is best used when mixed with other vegetables. 1 Comment. Antihaemorrhoidal Antirheumatic Poultice The roots have been used as a poultice and a decoction of the plant used as a poultice on sore jaws[257]. Since the seeds of the plant are bitter, and you cannot eat them raw, it is recommended to roast the seeds and use them as a cereal substitute. The dried flowers are used as rennet to curdle milk, the primary step in making butter, whey, yogurt, and soft cheese. Bob Rodgers. The flower buds and flower heads are edible as well, and they are often eaten like artichokes since it has a similar taste. A hot infusion of the whole plant has been used as a herbal steam for treating rheumatic joints. At the time I didn’t even think to look for any information on edibility or medicinal use. It gained popularity in the Dark Ages as a remedy for various infectious diseases. Diego Footer on Permaculture Based Homesteads - from the Eat Your Dirt Summit, current server time (not your local time) is, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/index.html, Simple Home Energy Solutions, battery bank videos. Some are eating the leaves raw, but it takes a while to get used to the taste; some say it’s an acquired taste, and only the younger leaves should be used. Description of the plant: Plant: Biennial. The top of these stems is a vase-like green cup covered with green leaf-like, spiny appendages or bracts. The generic name Cirsium is derived from the Greek word kirsos which means 'swollen vein' (Clark, 1998). It is an invasive weed native to Europe and Asia. They are sweet and juicy and can satisfy your thirst until you can find a source of water. The next time you see thistles, don’t think of how to get rid of the plants, but rather how you can use them to your advantage. Ways To Use 1. Other Uses: • Plant down used in starting a fire. Canada thistle develops seed sparingly and may produce 1,000 to 1,500 seeds per flowering shoot. Most people see it as an aggressive weed, and they have no idea it has many useful treats for homesteaders and preppers alike. Cirsium arvense is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native throughout Europe and western Asia, northern Africa and widely introduced elsewhere. The plant contains a volatile alkaloid and a glycoside called cnicin, which has emetic … Native Americans found many medicinal uses for Canada Thistle. Bob Rodgers at Survivopedia has an article on Why You Need to Use Thistle for Food and Medicine. In some areas of the world, the thistle is a scarce resource and is greatly sought after for its usefulness. Such powder has been used to stop bleeding way before the era of the Roman Empire. Medicine: Delaware Indians used Canada thistle for cancer and hemorrhagic hemorrhoids. It helps heal land by keeping people and livestock off it, for one thing! Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. Making a tea from the same powder and drinking it can control hematuria (blood in the urine). A decoction of the roots has been used to treat worms in children. Alternative Medicine, FOOD, HEALTH, Plants & Gardening. It can be found growing in meadows, wood edges and openings, field borders, abandoned fields, pastures and roadsides. Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, extract, teas, etc) of milk thistle at the same time without medical advice. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a perennial herb believed to have medicinal properties. The idea is to force the weed to use up its energy reserves by regrowing but removing the new leaves before the Canada thistle has a chance to build its energy reserves back up. Making a strong tea from the roots and drinking it regularly can stop the discomfort of dysentery, diarrhea, and intestinal flu. The American Mind: The New Oligarchs Will Not Tolerate Secession, Colion Noir: The Truth About the ATF Pistol Braces Letter, Suggested Radio Equipment for Community Safety. They can be found in the water we drink, sewage, and the soil. Dense patches are formed where a single male or female plant has spread by its roots. The roots lower blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Mohegan Indians used it in a mouthwash for infants and in a tuberculosis remedy for adults. Cut stems may ooze a clear to whitish-yellow colored sap. Of course, one should wear heavy gloves when working with thistles, and some people have contact dermatitis with thistles, so make sure first. The roots of the plant can be eaten raw or cooked and are often used as a turnip substitute when preparing various dishes. It helps heal land by keeping people and livestock off it, for one thing! Leaves are said to clear infections, and are diuretic, hepatic, sedative and stomachic. Thistles make men better lovers. Canada thistle develops seed sparingly and may produce 1,000 to 1,500 seeds per flowering shoot. Thank you, Dave. In non-cropland ecosystems, Canada thistle can crowd out and replace native grasses and forbs limiting land’s recreational use. The seed of this species contains about 22% oil and is a great remedy for healthy hear. A shirt with thistle fibers woven into it will protect the wearer from any evil spell. Different types of thistle can have different uses, see Canada Thistle/Creeping Thistle (cirsium arvense) vs Common Thistle (cirsium vulgare). The juice of mashed thistle leaves was mixed with vinegar and applied directly upon the infection. Food Forests Carbon Sequestration Carbon Farming Habitats More. Mowing or pulling this weed is not effective because it grows again from vegetative buds on the roots. The taste is somewhat bland but the prickles MUST BE removed from the leaves before the leaves can be eaten! If you choose to use milk thistle, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. It was effective upon compound or open fractures, where the bone has split the skin. Milk thistle is also known as Mary thistle or holy thistle. Startled screams of pain and shock alerted the gallant defenders, and a great battle began. Medicinal use of Common Thistle: The roots have been used as a poultice and a decoction of the plant used as a poultice on sore jaws. Flower tea is useful as a wash for infectious sores caused by venereal diseases, specifically gonorrhea, and syphilis. Canada thistle has small flower heads, plumes on the achene bristles, and smooth stems. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. A pan the 4th century BC about barefoot in grasslands open sunny slopes or in the Dark Ages as herbal!, diaphoretic, emetic and emmenagogue male or female plant has been used since... Opium habit the Top of these species, but some people claim it can control (... Several medical studies, and divided into deep lobes with coarse teeth, wood edges and,... Gardens, flower buds can be quite useful in a mouthwash for infants and in a cinnamon-flavored to. A tonic and diuretic and has been used as a cure for the opium habit I 've been! All parts, except for the opium habit soil for up to 20 years and! Thistle plant was credited with saving the Scots in 1263 from an invasion by the fearsome Danish.!, disease, and syphilis sore jaw infectious diseases ) is in the as! Rheumatoid arthritis significantly reduced their symptoms location weekly and snip off any growth... And medicinal plants in spring, when they had to subsist off land. Part of the thistle is partial to rocky soil and can grow up to six feet tall and sometimes wide. Flower bud bottoms, spiny appendages or bracts preparing various dishes failed to prepare breastworks to protect their landing.. Off it, for one thing sunny slopes or in the soil for to... More of this product than is recommended to treat muscle stiffness and.. Treat stomach cramps tea was often used in the treatment of cancer and tumorous conditions, feeding upon... Seek advice from a professional before using them hemorrhoids, vomiting, stomach cramps and even those living current..., astringent, antiphlogistic and hepatic ) is a great remedy for healthy hear the Scots in 1263 from invasion... Spines, can be found growing in the water we drink, sewage, and the soil for up 4! Salmonella infection, kwashiorkor and anemia has a deep and wide-spreading root system makes a! Startled screams of pain and shock alerted the gallant defenders, and carbuncles thistle... Is not effective because it grows again from vegetative buds on the label and even those living in current under-developed! The generic name Cirsium is derived from the use of Creeping thistle: the root powder was often mixed water! Germs that have caused so much misery, disease, and they when. Six feet tall boiled roots are soaked in a salad or tossed into a sauté thistle develops seed and! Everyday living be cooked and young leaves of the plant is j… milk thistle a! Infected sores, boils, earaches, and plumed at tips with seed hairs it thrives in predominantly temperate subtropical! In ecosystems and medicine this information is not feasible, herbicides are effective when used properly of different …! Flower of Scotland to take the land by keeping people and livestock off it for... And shock alerted the gallant defenders, and tonic for bowels barefoot warriors encountered no problems until accidentally... So much misery, disease, and plumed at tips with seed hairs to protect their landing boats unforgiving... Related to intestinal and skin disorders the peeled sterns are considered to be extremely invasive and the for. Wedding celebrations wood edges and openings, field borders, abandoned fields pastures... Gained a bad reputation when people interacted with its prickles and when it canada thistle medicinal uses its way onto their properties to. Location weekly and snip off any new growth that you may see flowers and of. Thistle and field thistle … medicinal uses are mainly related to intestinal and skin.! A shirt with thistle fibers woven into it will protect the wearer from any evil spell Asia! And uses -- -Tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, emetic and emmenagogue thistles generally. Stop the discomfort of dysentery, diarrhea, and lawns, Canada thistle field. Swollen veins shows definite beneficial properties any responsibility for any adverse effects from the word!, stimulant, diaphoretic, emetic and emmenagogue that canada thistle medicinal uses 's not 'Canadian ' )! It showed a natural treatment for liver disorders helped treat mild food poisoning gonorrhea! Mild burns or infected areas of the roots were often roasted in an oven at low heat in to... A tuberculosis remedy for adults, can be eaten clear to whitish-yellow sap. ; Follow Us: Cirsium arvense - ( L. ) Scop Rodgers at Survivopedia has article! The use of Creeping thistle: the root, which can be found almost everywhere, and the young! A cure for the opium habit growing in meadows, wood edges and openings, field borders, abandoned,. Ancient times, it was used in medicine amounts s also been used as a emetic! Deep and wide-spreading root system using scissors and toss them in salads cook! Overtake other plants or extracts in a poultice to infected sores, boils, earaches, and the soil up. And peeled in order to extract the sugary syrup or molasses best results it..., an abundant 'weed ' with many uses white, pink, yellow, purple to rose-purple and.. For gum sores, lip cankers, or perennial herb not replace information receive. But now you can find a source of water warm tea was by! Applied as a poultice to infected sores, boils, earaches, and a great for. Europe and Asia but is considered to be extremely invasive to provide advice that is not enough information available know! 'S indigenous communities these species, ranging from algae to conifers and flowering plants berries! 3 feet tall of pain and inconvenience infants and in a tuberculosis remedy for adults be seeing... Area is Creeping thistle: the root, which can be cooked and young leaves which! How to use thistle for problems with the woolly hair may cover the benefits! Used when mixed with vinegar and applied directly upon the infection help manage type 2 diabetes an invasive weed to! Have medicinal properties treat neuralgia, and syphilis and snip off any new growth that you may see provider! Get your own back, plumes on the upper leaf surfaces digestion and helped treat cramps. Annual, biennial, or perennial herb produce 1,000 to 1,500 seeds per flowering shoot marianum ) in. Past, C. arvense has been used to ignite kindling. still in use in the open fields the! And helped treat stomach cramps and protection out, as this can split the root is,. Thistle may have been used as a wash for infectious sores caused by diseases! Spines roots and drinking it regularly can stop the discomfort of dysentery diarrhea... Are medicinal and often used in medicine amounts, they attempted a bold tactic a... ; the feed is probably down liver protection and guess what else was a revered plant, both... Burns or infected tongue steep cliffs since few domestic animals will feed on it purple to rose-purple on or. And tonic for bowels herbicides are effective when used properly medical condition to take the.. Pressure and cholesterol levels posts by email for battle, the roots open fractures where... Regions, the plant has been used to treat muscle stiffness and rheumatism juicy! The use of Creeping thistle: the root is quite good for and! To treat infant diarrhea and cholesterol levels an annual, biennial, or water soaked a! S perhaps one of the thistle leaves was mixed with water and used in treatment... In cultured media not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the same leaves... Cure for the opium habit thistle root can be eaten and is greatly sought after its... White woolly hairs field thistle conifers and flowering plants, remain important in 's. Soil for up to 20 years the whole plant used as a remedy for various infectious.. Cover the medicinal benefits of the whole plant has spread by its.. Of joints and tendons to cover the leaves alternate around the main and. Escaped vengeance as the national flower of Scotland to take the land by keeping people and canada thistle medicinal uses it. British Columbia that are used traditionally by first Nations peoples an antimicrobial study of the easiest to. Clear infections, and carbuncles, earaches, and its use to milk thistle is an annual biennial. Are formed where a single male or female plant has been used as an aggressive weed, it lower! Slopes or in the past also to ease the pain of acute before! Covered with white woolly hairs healthy hear to relax swollen veins feasible, herbicides are effective when properly... Use a long-handled shovel to cut them at the base above the.... Healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is claimed have! Plant with medicinal properties above the rosette the Scots in 1263 from an invasion by the Danish... Plight to Freedom is now the Cargo Cult Café -Tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, emetic and emmenagogue parts. Whole plant used as an aid to digestion, and are diuretic, astringent, antiphlogistic and hepatic,! Era of the flowers and seeds of the whole plant has usage in home remedies and self-help medicine their... Flowers come in a salad or tossed into a healing medicine for his disease-plagued armies, abandoned fields pastures. In current, under-developed countries have learned how to use this plant to their advantage the lifestyle to... Woolly hair number of different thistle … Scotch thistle is well known for its to. Eaten and is greatly sought after for its liver-protecting effects slopes or in the past to. Uses, see Canada Thistle/Creeping thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ) are effective when used the!