Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E
Blessed Thistle herb |
Latin Name: Cnicus benedictus
Pharmacopeial Name: Cnici benedicti herba
Other Names: holy thistle herb
Overview
Blessed thistle is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia, now naturalized throughout Europe and in the eastern United States (Karnick, 1994; Leung and Foster, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The material of commerce in Europe is collected in northern and eastern Europe, Italy, and Spain (BHP, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The material used in Ayurvedic medicine is collected in India from Kashmir to the Khasia Hills, and in Bhutan (Karnick, 1994). It was brought under cultivation in Europe during the early sixteenth century, originally in monastery gardens, and was mentioned as a heal-all in treatises on the Plague from whence the specific epithet benedictus was derived (Bown, 1995; Grieve, 1979). Galenical preparations of blessed thistle are used for anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, indigestion, and loss of appetite in traditional European herbal medicines, traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine, and modern naturopathic medicine (Hoffmann, 1990; Karnick, 1994; Leung and Foster, 1996; Lust, 1974; Newall et al., 1996).
The approved modern therapeutic applications for blessed thistle herb are based on its long history of use in well established systems of traditional medicine, in vitro and in vivo studies in animals, and its documented chemical composition.
In the United States and Germany, blessed thistle herb is used as a component of cholagogic and gastrointestinal remedies in aqueous infusion, alcoholic fluidextract, and tincture form, and in tablets. It is also used as a component of simple bitters, tonic drinks used to stimulate the digestive mucosa (Leung and Foster, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).
Pharmacopeial grade blessed thistle herb must have a bitterness value of not less than 800. Assay methods are published for determination of the bitter principle cnicin (Bradley, 1992; DAC, 1986; AB, 1981).
Description
Blessed thistle herb consists of the dried leaves and upper stems, including inflorescence, of Cnicus benedictus L. [Fam. Asteraceae], as well as preparations thereof in effective dosage. The herb contains bitter principles, such as cnicin.
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Blessed thistle contains sesquiterpene lactones including cnicin (bitter index = 1:1,800) (0.20.7%), tannins (8%), high mineral content (mainly potassium, manganese, magnesium, and calcium), lignan lactones (lignanolides), phytosterols, triterpenoids, volatile oils (0.3%), and small amounts of flavonoids and poly-ynes (polyacetylenes) (Bradley, 1992; Leung and Foster, 1996; Newall et al., 1996; Wichtl and Bissett, 1994).
The Commission E reported stimulation of the secretion of saliva and gastric juices. The British Herbal Compendium reports its actions as bitter, carminative, antidiarrheal, and antimicrobial (Bradley, 1992). Its sesquiterpene lactones constituents are considered to be bitter principles (Wagner et al., 1983). Bitter constituents (mainly cnicin) stimulate the taste buds, causing a reflex increase in the secretion of saliva and gastric juice, thus stimulating the appetite (Bradley, 1992). The whole dried herb, its volatile oil, and the isolated constituent cnicin have all demonstrated antibacterial activity (Newall et al., 1996). Its antimicrobial activity has been attributed to cnicin and to its polyacetylene constituents (Vanhaelen-Fastr, 1968).
Uses
The Commission E approved the internal use of blessed thistle for loss of appetite and dyspepsia. The British Herbal Compendium indicates its use for loss of appetite, anorexia, and flatulent dyspepsia (Bradley, 1992). It is used as an aromatic bitter for stimulation of appetite and increasing gastric juice secretion (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).
Contraindications
Allergies to blessed thistle and other composites.
Side Effects
Allergic reactions are possible.
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
Not recommended (McGuffin et al., 1997; Bradley, 1992).
Interactions with Other Drugs
None known.
Dosage and Administration
Unless otherwise prescribed: 4-6 g per day of cut herb or dried extract.
Infusion: 1.5-2 g in 150 ml water, three times daily.
Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 1.5-2 ml, three times daily.
Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 7.5-10 ml, three times daily.
References
Bown, D. 1995. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 264.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP). 1996. Exeter, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association. 104-105.
Bradley, P.R. (ed.). 1992. British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association.
Deutscher Arzneimittel-Codex (DAC). 1986. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.
Grieve, M. 1979. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
Hoffmann, D. 1990. The New Holistic Herbal. Dorset: Element Books Ltd. 182.
Karnick, C.R. 1994. Pharmacopoeial Standards of Herbal Plants, Vols. 12. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. Vol. 1:98-100; Vol. 2:18.
Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Lust, J.B. 1974. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books. 343.
McGuffin, M., C. Hobbs, R. Upton, A. Goldberg. 1997. American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson, J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
Österreichisches Arzneibuch, Vols. 12, 1st suppl. (ÖAB). 1981-1983. Wien: Verlag der Österreichischen Staatsdruckerei.
Vanhaelen-Fastr, R. 1968. Cnicus benedictus: Separation of antimicrobial constituents. Plant Med Phytother 2:294299.
Wagner, H., S. Bladt, E.M. Zgainski. 1983. Plant Drug Analysis. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag.
Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.
Additional Resources
Harnischfeger, G. and H. Stolze. 1983. Bewährte Pflanzendrogen in Wissenschaft und Medizin. Bad Homburg/Melsungen: Notamed Verlag. 74-81.
Schneider, G. and I.A. Lachner. 1987. A contribution to analytics and pharmacology of Cnicin. Planta Med 53(3):247-251.
Vanhaelen-Fastré, R. 1973. [Constitution and antibiotical properties of the essential oil of Cnicus benedictus] [In French]. Planta Med 24(2):165-175.
Vanhaelen-Fastré, R. and M. Vanhaelen. 1976. [Antibiotic and cytotoxic activity of Cnicin and of its hydrolysis products. Chemical structurebiological activity relationship] [In French]. Planta Med 29(2):179-189.
This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E Monographs—Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.
1) The Overview section is new information.
2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.
3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:
- Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
- Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
- Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
- Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml
4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes.
This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.
Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs
Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council
Published by Integrative Medicine Communications
Available from the American Botanical Council.
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