Cnicus

Cnicus benedictus (Blessed Thistle), the sole species in the genus Cnicus, is a thistle-like plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Mediterranean region, from Portugal north to southern France and east to Iran. It is also sometimes called Cursed Thistle.

  It is an annual plant growing to 60 cm tall, with leathery, hairy leaves up to 30 cm long and 8 cm broad, with small spines on the margins. The flowers are yellow, produced in a dense flowerhead (capitulum) 3-4 cm diameter, surrounded by numerous spiny basal bracts.

The related genus Notobasis is included in Cnicus by some botanists; it differs in slender, much spinier leaves, and purple flowers.

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Medical uses

It has sometimes been used as an herb to promote lactation. The crude drug contains about 0.2% cnicin.

It is a component in Bitters formulas, which are used to treat digestive issues.

Edibility

These thistles are not considered edible, unlike Cirsium, Arctium and Onopordum species; the leaves are considered unpalatable if not bitter.

See also

• Blessed milk thistle

References

• Flora Europaea: Cnicus
• Healthtouch Online: HOLY THISTLE