Blessed Thistle

• Blessed thistle suggested uses include indigestion, diarrhea, heartburn, poor appetite, gas and indigestion, and chronic bronchitis. Suggested topical uses for blessed thistle include injured skin and gangrenous and indolent ulcers.
• Blessed thistle may be effective for viral infections; it has shown antimicrobial effects in laboratory studies.
• It is unclear what a safe and effective dosage of blessed thistle may be for induced abortion.
• Blessed thistle is not recommended to increase breast milk flow.
• Blessed thistle is available under the following different brands and other names: Carbenia benedicta, bitter thistle, cardo santo, cnicin, Cnicus benedictus, Holy Ghost herb, and spotted thistle.

Dosages of Blessed Thistle

• Dosages vary

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• Infusion: 2 g/150 mL water orally once daily

Tea

• 1 cup (1.5-3 g/150 mL water) orally three times daily
• 4-6 g/d div three times daily orally (recommended by the German Commission E monograph)

Other Information

• Tincture (1 g/5 mL): 10 mL orally once daily
• Fluid extract (1 g/mL): 2 mL orally once daily OR 1.5-3 mL (1:1 in 25% alcohol) orally three times daily

Side effects of Blessed Thistle include:

• Gastrointestinal irritation
• Vomiting (greater than 5 g dose)

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Mild interactions of blessed thistle include:
  • aluminum hydroxide
  • calcium carbonate
  • cimetidine
  • dexlansoprazole
  • esomeprazole
  • famotidine
  • ibuprofen/famotidine
  • lansoprazole
  • nizatidine
  • omeprazole
  • pantoprazole
  • rabeprazole
  • ranitidine
  • sodium bicarbonate
  • sodium citrate/citric acid

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains blessed thistle. Do not take Carbenia benedicta, bitter thistle, cardo santo, cnicin, Cnicus benedictus, Holy Ghost herb, or spotted thistle if you are allergic to blessed thistle or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Allergy to blessed thistle
• Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcer
• Pregnancy

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information is available.

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Blessed Thistle?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Blessed Thistle?"

Cautions

• Do not confuse with milk thistle or other thistle products
• Using to increase breast milk flow is discouraged since the effect on nursing infant unknown
• Age under 18 years: not recommended

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Blessed thistle is not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.