Carduus Benedictus, Blessed Thistle

-Its name is testamount to its revered status in earlier times. It was not much used before the mid 16th century when its vertues were “discovered” by a Benedictine Monk.
-“It provokes urine, the stopping of which is usually caused by Mars or the Moon”. (Culpeper)
-“God hath indued, and (as I may say) Blessed this Herb”.
-“It consumes and wastes away all bad Humours”. (Matthiolus)
–Gerard first cultivated Blessed Thistle in 1597. In 1598 in his Poore Man’s Jewell, Thomas Brasbridge spoke of the treatment of the Pestilence (Plague) in which he gave special mention of the virtues of Carduus benedictus and Angelica. Both these herbs were especially recommended for the Pestilence, their names being derived largely from this fact. Later, Culpeper in his School of Physick (1679) also gave special dedication to these two herbs where he gave an extended and detailed account of their medicinal uses (see below).

“The Sovereign Vertues of Carduus Benedictus” (Culpeper):
“It is excellent for the Head, and the Parts Thereof.
“This herb eaten, or the Powder of Juice of it drunk, keepeth a Man from the Headache, and Megrim; it also driveth it away. Being taken in meat or drink, it is good against Dizzyness, and the Swimming Giddiness of the Head [Vertigo]. It comforteth Brain, sharpeneth the Wit, strengthens the Memory; it is a singular remedy against Deafness: for it amendeth the thickness of Hearing, and provokes Sleep. The juice of it laid to the Eyes, quickeneth the Sight: Also the Water in the Which the Powder, or Herb dried, is steeped hath the same effect, if the eyes be washed therewith. The Herb eaten, is good for the same purpose. The Water or Juice dropped into the eyes, cureth the redness, bloodshotten, and itching of them. Some write, that it doth strengthen the Teeth … It comforteth the Stomach.
“The Broth of the Herb, otherwise called Decoction, drunk in wine, is good for an Evil Stomach; it helpeth a weak Stomach, and causeth an appetite to meat. Also the Wine wherein it hath been boiled, doth cleanse and mundify the infected Stomach. The powder thereof eaten with Honey, or drunk in Wine, doth rip and digest Cold Phlegm, purgeth and bringeth up that which is in the breast, scouring the same of gross Humours, and causeth to breathe more easily …
“It helpeth the Heart.
“The powder being taken before a man is infected, preserveth him from the Pestilence. And a dram of it, or a Walnut shell full, taken immediately after a man feeleth himself infected, expelleth the Venom of the Pestilent infection from the Heart: so that if a man sweat afterward, he may be preserved. The same effect hath the herb boiled in wine, or in the urine of a healthful man-child drunk … The leaves, powder, juice, or water of the herb drunk, the patient well covered with clothes, sweating three hours, expelleth Poison taken in at the mouth, and other corruption or infection that may hurt and annoy the Heart.
“It helpeth the Liver, Lungs, and other parts of the Body.
“The herb boiled in Wine, and drunk hot about a quarter of an hour before the Fit, and the patient afterward well covered in the bed, driveth away the Ague. The powder and water of the herb drunk with Wine, hath the same effect. The juice drunk with Wine, is good against shortness of breath, and the diseases of the Lungs. It strengthens the members, and is good against the ache of the body. The herb boiled in the Urine of a Healthful man-child, and drunk, doth help the Dropsy, breaketh all Apostumes, mastereth the Falling Sickness … It is also good for them that begin to have the Consumption, called the Ptysick. The herb eaten, doth strengthen the trembling and Palsy members … The juice drunk with Wine, or the herb boiled in wine, and drunk Hot, breaketh the Stone, and driveth out Gravel: being sodden in water, and the patient sitting over it, so that the hot vapour may come unto the diseased place, it helpeth against the same infirmity. After the same manner being used, it is good against the Green Sickness … Also the Wine or Water in which this herb is boiled, being drunk, consumeth the Evil humours, and preserveth the Good”. (Culpeper, School of Physic 1679).

Mathiolus on Carduus:
“Carduus benedictus is a plant of great vertue, especially against the Pestilence, as also deadly Poisons: as well taken inwardly, or laid outwardly to the stingings and bitings of Venomous Beasts. They are healed with this herb, that are sick of a Quartan, or other Agues, that come with a Cold, and that by the drinking of the Decoction, or Stilled Water, or a Dram of the powder … it provoketh Sweat; it Killeth the Worms, and is good against other diseases of the Womb. The herb itself, as well green as dried, both drunk, and laid outwardly to the grief, doth heal Ulcers. On such extraordinary occasions, it is mingled with the drink made of Guaiacum, Wine, and Water for the French Pox”.

From “The Secrets of Alexis”, 1559
“If you eat Carduus Benedictus, it will heal all headaches, and causes a good Hearing and Memory, takes away the whirling or giddiness [dizziness] of the head, comforts the Brain, causes a good Sight, not only when a man eats of it, but also when he rubs his eyes with the juice, or when a man puts the powder or water of it into his eyes. It purges also the Stomach, the Throat, and Phlegm, it brings a good Appetite, conforts the Breast, consumes Rheums and Murrs [Catarrh], and heals the pain the Belly. The Wine of his decoction, and the water which is distilled of him, dries up all evil humors, and Itches, heals the Spleen, and the Stone: and when a Clyster [enema] is made of it, and of wine or piss, it heals all ventosity, Apostumes, and the Plague, so that you drink the juice, or the powder of it immediately after you feel the grief. And if a man lay the white and rough cotton that it has after it is blossoms, upon any wounds that is not mortal, it will heal it in three days without pain or grief. The said herb causes a sweet breath, and when it is eaten, it makes a man to have good teeth and gums, it heals the diseases of the Matrix [Uterus], and cheers the Heart. When a man makes a Clyster of it with the urine of a man-child, it heals the Falling Sickness [Epilepsy]; the Stitch or Pain of the side when it is drunken with white wine warmed, and with hot water; it heals all manner of Fevers, when a man takes it four hours before the fit comes, but while he sweats he must be well covered. If the Navel of little children fall [Umbilical Hernia], boil the said herb in wine, and wash the Navel with it; it is also very good against all bitings of Serpents, and other Poison”. (The Secretes of the Reverende Mayster Alexis of Piemount, 1559)