Blessed thistle – Centaurea benedicta

Description

Blessed Thistle can be used to strengthen the heart, and lungs. It can also be used to support the increase of circulation to the brain by bringing oxygen to it which strengthens the memory. Also supports liver disorders. Blessed thistle is a plant in the aster family that is native to the Mediterranean region. The herb was widely cultivated in Medieval monastery gardens after King Charlemagne was visited by an angel. According to the legend, the king was instructed to fire an arrow into the air and whichever plant it came to rest upon was the one he should give to his soldiers who had the misfortune of contracting the plague. Whether or not the king took aim at the stand of thistle where the arrow landed is not known, but this is why the plant become ?blessed.?
blessed thistle can be used to relieve problems associated with indigestion and diarrhea. It can also help improve appetite. This is especially important if you?re dealing with an illness that causes you to lose your desire to eat. Blessed thistle can help you to increase your appetite and allow your body to get the nutrients it needs to fight your disease.
If you have a minor skin irritation, blessed thistle can help to relieve some of the problem. You can create a poultice and place it directly on the affected area. This will soothe pain and inflammation and help the condition to quiet down. Blessed thistle is also thought to help clear out the liver. That makes it an excellent tonic for purifying the body and fighting the effects of toxins. It?s also, interestingly enough, been linked to reducing inflammation and cancer. Used as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.
May decrease the effects of over-the-counter and prescription antacids.

You can make a poultice by infusing blessed thistle with water and then soaking a cloth in it. Place the cloth directly on your skin. This can be used for treating sunburns, minor burns, scrapes, and even razor burn after shaving.

Blessed thistle is also thought to help clear out the liver. That makes it an excellent tonic for purifying the body and fighting the effects of toxins. It?s also, interestingly enough, been linked to reducing inflammation and cancer. Used as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.
May decrease the effects of over-the-counter and prescription antacids.