Home Ingredients Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)

Cnicus benedictus
Evidence Level
Preliminary
4 Clinical Trials
6 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus, also called holy thistle and listed by botanists as Centaurea benedicta) is a Mediterranean plant of the daisy family whose dried flowering tops are used in Europe as a bitter herb for appetite and digestion. It is a different plant from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), which supplies silymarin. Its bitterness comes mainly from cnicin, a sesquiterpene lactone. The European Medicines Agency accepts it as a traditional herbal medicine for temporary loss of appetite and mild indigestion based on long-standing use, and found no clinical studies of the herb. It is also sold as a breast milk herb, but the NIH LactMed database says no scientifically valid trials support that use. People allergic to ragweed, daisies or related plants should avoid it, and the EU advises against it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and under age 18.

Studied Dose No human trial has tested blessed thistle alone. EU traditional use: 1 to 2 g powdered herb, a tea of 1.5 to 3 g in 150 ml water, 1.5 to 2 ml liquid extract or 3 to 6 ml tincture, each 3 times daily. A lactation tea trial used 35 mg per tea bag.
Active Compound Sesquiterpene lactones, mainly the bitter cnicin (0.2 to 0.7% of the herb), plus salonitenolide, tannins (about 8%), lignans such as arctigenin, flavonoids and a little volatile oil.

Benefits

Appetite and mild digestive complaints as a traditional bitter

The European Medicines Agency accepts blessed thistle tea, powder and extracts as traditional herbal medicines for temporary loss of appetite and for mild indigestion and cramping, based only on long-standing use. Its assessment found no clinical studies, and one committee member voted against the monograph over safety concerns.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Use as a breast milk herb

Blessed thistle has a traditional reputation for raising milk supply and is sold alone and in lactation blends, but the NIH LactMed database says no scientifically valid clinical trials support this. Two reviews of herbal milk-supply research list trials of fenugreek, milk thistle and other herbs, none of blessed thistle. LactMed adds that herbs should not replace help with feeding.

Supported by Trial 1

Safety record of a lactation tea that includes blessed thistle

In a double-blind trial of 60 healthy breastfeeding women, a commercial lactation tea with fennel, anise, coriander, fenugreek and 35 mg of blessed thistle per bag caused no more problems in mothers or babies than a lemon verbena tea over 4 weeks, with infant follow-up to 12 months. The abstract and trial registry give no milk supply result, and blessed thistle's share cannot be separated.

Supported by Trial 1

Digestive symptom scores with a six-herb liquid

In an open study without a control group, 149 adults with mild digestive complaints (59 of them with diabetes) took a liquid with chamomile, silverweed, licorice, angelica, blessed thistle and wormwood for 2 weeks; symptoms such as vomiting and retching were rated lower. Without a control group, the result cannot be credited to the herbs.

Supported by Trial 2

Liver markers in a rat liver-toxin study

In rats given a liver toxin for 6 weeks, a polyphenol-rich fraction of blessed thistle leaves (100 mg/kg a day by mouth) lowered blood liver enzymes and bilirubin, raised liver glutathione and reduced scarring markers versus toxin alone. This is one animal study of a concentrated fraction, not tested in people.

Supported by Trial 3

Milk output in lactating rats given a seven-herb decoction

In lactating rats, an oral decoction of seven ingredients, including blessed thistle, pangolin scales and astragalus, increased milk output, measured on days 3 to 7 of 8 days of dosing, compared with water and raised water-channel proteins in mammary tissue. It is an animal study of a mixture, so it says nothing about blessed thistle alone in people.

Supported by Trial 4

Mechanism of action

1

Bitter taste and digestive secretions

Cnicin is intensely bitter. The usual explanation, repeated by the EMA, is that it stimulates taste buds and reflexively raises saliva and stomach juice, which supports appetite. The EMA found no pharmacological studies showing this. In a lab biosensor, the human bitter receptor TAS2R46 responded selectively to cnicin.

2

Sesquiterpene lactones and plant allergy

Cnicin and related lactones carry a reactive alpha-methylene group shared across the daisy family, which drives allergic cross-reactions. In guinea pig skin tests, a blessed thistle extract was one of the strongest sensitizers among 20 daisy-family plants. The EU lists daisy-family allergy as a reason not to use it, though the EMA found no documented allergic reactions to blessed thistle itself.

3

Antioxidant polyphenols in lab and rat studies

A polyphenol-rich blessed thistle extract, high in chlorogenic and sinapic acids, scavenged free radicals in lab tests and was not toxic to cultured cells. In rats, an oral leaf polyphenol fraction raised liver glutathione and lowered malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative damage. Neither has been measured in people.

4

Cnicin absorption in animals

Isolated cnicin was well absorbed by mouth in rats, with an oral bioavailability of 84.7%, and oral cnicin sped nerve regrowth after injury in mice. These results are for the purified compound, not the herb, and have not been tested in people.

Clinical trials

1
Multi-herb lactation tea including blessed thistle: safety trial
PubMed

Double-blind randomized controlled trial: Mother's Milk herbal tea (fennel, anise and coriander fruits, fenugreek seed and other herbs; LactMed reports 35 mg blessed thistle per bag), 3 to 5 cups daily for about 4 weeks, versus lemon verbena leaf tea as placebo; one author works for Traditional Medicinals, the tea's maker, which collaborated on the registered trial and which LactMed describes as the study's sponsor (Wagner et al. 2019, J Hum Lact)

60 healthy, exclusively or fully breastfeeding women with no milk insufficiency, and their infants.

No adverse effects attributable to either tea in mothers or infants over the 30-day study or by infant age 12 months. No differences in maternal or infant symptoms, quality of life, breastfeeding self-efficacy, mood, infant growth or infant satisfaction. The trial registry (NCT02190448) listed milk production, prolactin and oxytocin as planned secondary outcomes, but the abstract reports no milk supply result and no results are posted on the registry; blessed thistle's own effect cannot be separated.

2
Six-herb liquid containing blessed thistle (Gastritol Liquid) for mild digestive complaints: open uncontrolled study
PubMed

Non-interventional, open, multicenter observational study in outpatient practice with no control group; patients took Gastritol Liquid, an alcohol-based combination of chamomile, silverweed, licorice, angelica, blessed thistle and wormwood extracts, for 2 weeks. The second author is from the product's registration holder, Dr. Gustav Klein. (Wegener et al. 2016, Phytother Res)

149 outpatients with mild digestive complaints, 90 without and 59 with diabetes. The abstract does not state the dose used; the product's prescribing information gives 30 drops three times daily, with blessed thistle only 0.5 ml of each 10 ml, one of the three smallest of the six extracts.

Symptoms improved over 2 weeks in both groups, most for vomiting (down 66.7%, and 63.9% in those with diabetes) and retching (down 52.2% and 53.6%), and about 90% rated an overall improvement. Seven patients reported mild adverse events, mostly short-lived nausea. With no control group and six herbs combined, none of this can be attributed to blessed thistle.

3
Rat study: leaf polyphenol fraction and liver scarring
PubMed

Animal study: a polyphenol-enriched n-butanol fraction of Cnicus benedictus leaves, 100 mg/kg once daily by mouth for 6 weeks alongside twice-weekly carbon tetrachloride injections, versus toxin alone, with a silymarin group and normal controls; 10 rats per treatment group; no funding received (Mohammed et al. 2025, Toxicol Rep)

Rats with chemically induced liver fibrosis.

Compared with toxin alone, the fraction lowered serum ALT, AST and bilirubin, raised liver glutathione, lowered malondialdehyde, reduced TGF beta 1, alpha smooth muscle actin and hydroxyproline staining and improved liver tissue appearance. Animal data for a concentrated fraction; not tested in people.

4
Rat study: seven-herb decoction and milk output
PubMed

Animal study: lactating rats randomized to an oral decoction of a Chinese galactagogue mixture (Vaccaria seed, Euphorbia heterophylla, pangolin scales, Astragalus, Tetrapanax, Platycodon and 15 g Cnicus benedictus per batch), 2 mL/kg 3 times daily for 8 days, versus water; a virgin group served as a further comparison (Liu et al. 2015, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med)

30 female Sprague Dawley rats, 10 per group.

The decoction increased milk production, measured by pup weight gain during feeding on postpartum days 3 to 7, versus water, and raised aquaporin 3 and 5 levels in mammary tissue. A seven-ingredient mixture in rats, so blessed thistle's own contribution is unknown.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

The 2023 EU monograph lists no known side effects at traditional doses; more than 5 g of herb per cup of tea may irritate the stomach and cause vomiting.
Do not use with an allergy to blessed thistle or other daisy-family (Asteraceae) plants such as ragweed, chamomile or marigold; contact dermatitis is possible, and in guinea pig tests the herb was a strong skin sensitizer.
Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding because safety data are lacking; the EMA notes it was traditionally used to bring on menstruation or abortion. Not recommended under 18.
LactMed reports raised liver enzymes in a woman drinking Mother's Milk tea, a blend that contains blessed thistle.
In an Australian survey, 8 of 98 breastfeeding women who took blessed thistle reported a side effect; LactMed lists nausea, stomach cramps, dry mouth and fatigue as the most common.
The EMA report notes that bitters are believed to increase stomach acid and that use may be unwise with a peptic ulcer, although the EU monograph does not list ulcer as a contraindication.
In a US lab analysis, only 13 of 21 supplements labeled as blessed thistle could be confirmed to contain it; buy from tested sources.

Important Drug interactions

The EU monograph reports no interactions, but no interaction studies have been done.
Acid-reducing medicines (antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors): the EMA report notes blessed thistle might raise stomach acid and so weaken them; this is theoretical.
Blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs: the EMA report cites a platelet-activating factor blocking property that could in theory raise bleeding risk, not shown in people; ask a clinician before combining.
Tinctures and liquid extracts in the EU monograph are made with 25% ethanol; choose a tea or powder if alcohol must be avoided.

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Frequently asked questions about Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)

Is blessed thistle the same as milk thistle?

No. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) are different plants in the daisy family. Blessed thistle is a bitter herb whose main compound is cnicin, used traditionally for appetite and digestion. Milk thistle seeds supply silymarin, which is studied mainly for liver-related blood tests. Check the Latin name on the label.

Does blessed thistle increase breast milk supply?

There is no good evidence that it does. The NIH LactMed database says no scientifically valid clinical trials support it, and reviews of herbal milk-supply trials found none of blessed thistle. The only controlled trial of a blend containing it was reported as a safety study, and its abstract gives no milk volume result. The EU advises against using it while breastfeeding because safety data are lacking. A lactation consultant can help with feeding issues that affect supply.

Why is blessed thistle taken before meals?

Its bitter taste is thought to trigger a reflex that increases saliva and stomach juices, which is the traditional reason for taking bitters shortly before eating. The EU monograph gives the appetite use as before meals. No human study has measured this effect for blessed thistle.

Is blessed thistle safe for people sensitive to daisy-family plants?

They should avoid it. Blessed thistle belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), and the EU monograph lists allergy to any plant in that family as a reason not to use it. Its sesquiterpene lactones can cross-react with those of related plants such as ragweed, chamomile and marigold.

Do blessed thistle supplements always contain the real herb?

Not always. When a university lab analyzed 21 supplements labeled as blessed thistle, only 13 could be confirmed to contain it, and 3 showed none of its marker compounds. The level of cnicin, its main bitter compound, also varied about tenfold between plant samples. Choose products tested by an independent lab.

What is Blessed Thistle?

Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus, also called holy thistle and listed by botanists as Centaurea benedicta) is a Mediterranean plant of the daisy family whose dried flowering tops are used in Europe as a bitter herb for appetite and digestion.

What is Blessed Thistle used for?

NutraSmarts does not list Blessed Thistle under a health category. What the research covers: The European Medicines Agency accepts blessed thistle tea, powder and extracts as traditional herbal medicines for temporary loss of appetite and for mild indigestion and cramping, based only on long-standing use.

What is the recommended dosage of Blessed Thistle?

No human trial has tested blessed thistle alone. EU traditional use: 1 to 2 g powdered herb, a tea of 1.5 to 3 g in 150 ml water, 1.5 to 2 ml liquid extract or 3 to 6 ml tincture, each 3 times daily. A lactation tea trial used 35 mg per tea bag. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Does Blessed Thistle interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: The EU monograph reports no interactions, but no interaction studies have been done. Acid-reducing medicines (antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors): the EMA report notes blessed thistle might raise stomach acid and so weaken them; this is theoretical. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Blessed Thistle?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Blessed Thistle as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 4 study summaries and 17 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(17 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), European Medicines Agency. European Union herbal monograph on Cnicus benedictus L., herba (EMA/HMPC/32402/2022). European Medicines Agency. 2023;Final monograph dated 20 September 2023 (not PubMed-indexed)..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed: EU regulatory monograph. Traditional use for temporary loss of appetite and for symptomatic relief of dyspepsia and mild spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders, exclusively on long-standing use. Posology: powdered herb 1 to 2 g 3 times daily; tea of 1.5 to 3 g comminuted herb in 150 ml water 3 times daily; liquid extract (1:1, 25% ethanol) 1.5 to 2 ml 3 times daily; tincture (1:5, 25% ethanol) 3 to 6 ml 3 times daily; before meals for appetite; see a doctor if symptoms last over 2 weeks. Contraindication: hypersensitivity to the herb and other Asteraceae. Not recommended under 18 or in pregnancy and lactation. Interactions: none reported. Undesirable effects: none known. Overdose: more than 5 g per cup of tea may cause gastric irritation and vomiting. Reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity tests not performed.
  2. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), European Medicines Agency. Assessment report on Cnicus benedictus L., herba (EMA/HMPC/648162/2022). European Medicines Agency. 2023;Final assessment report dated 20 September 2023 (not PubMed-indexed)..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed: EU regulatory assessment. Synonym Centaurea benedicta; dried flowering aerial parts. Constituents: sesquiterpene lactones including cnicin (0.2 to 0.7%, bitter index 1:1,800) and salonitenolide, tannins (8%), lignans such as arctigenin, volatile oil (0.3%), flavonoids. Bitter reflex on saliva and gastric juice is assumed, but no pharmacological studies demonstrating it were found. No clinical data on efficacy, pharmacokinetics or safety. Possible pharmacodynamic interaction with acid-reducing drugs; PAF antagonist property could in theory raise bleeding risk, not proven in humans; use may be inadvisable with peptic ulcer; traditionally used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient, so avoid in pregnancy; not recommended in lactation for lack of safety data. Contact dermatitis and Asteraceae cross-reactivity possible. A tincture was not mutagenic in the Ames test, but genotoxicity data are inadequate for a list entry.
  3. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), European Medicines Agency. Opinion of the HMPC on a European Union herbal monograph on Cnicus benedictus L., herba (EMA/HMPC/448341/2023). European Medicines Agency. 2023;Opinion dated 20 September 2023 (not PubMed-indexed)..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed: HMPC opinion adopting the monograph by 24 of 25 votes. The divergent position of the Irish member did not support the monograph because of concerns about the potential safe use of the herb for temporary loss of appetite.
  4. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Blessed Thistle. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). 2006;Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Updated 2022 Feb 20..PubMedUsed to support: NIH LactMed entry: blessed thistle is a purported galactogogue included in some proprietary milk-supply mixtures, but no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use; galactogogues should not replace evaluation of modifiable factors. GRAS as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages; as a ragweed-family plant, allergy is a concern; high doses reportedly cause stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting; elevated liver enzymes occurred in a woman taking Mother's Milk Tea. No published maternal or infant drug levels. Describes the Mother's Milk tea trial as manufacturer-sponsored (35 mg blessed thistle per bag, 3 to 5 cups daily, no differences in infant adverse events or growth versus lemon verbena tea), although it describes the mothers as having milk insufficiency while the trial abstract says they had none. Cites an Australian survey in which 98 mothers took blessed thistle, rated it on average between slightly and moderately effective, and 8% reported adverse reactions, most commonly nausea, stomach cramps, dry mouth and fatigue.
  5. Wagner CL, Boan AD, Marzolf A, Finch CW, Morella K, Guille C, Gardner Z, Marriott BP. The Safety of Mother's Milk® Tea: Results of a Randomized Double-Blind, Controlled Study in Fully Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Infants. J Hum Lact. 2019;35(2):248-260. doi: 10.1177/0890334418787474.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind randomized trial in 60 healthy exclusively or fully breastfeeding women with no milk insufficiency: a galactagogue tea (bitter fennel, anise and coriander fruits, fenugreek seed and other herbs) versus lemon verbena leaf placebo tea. No adverse effects attributable to the teas over 30 days or through infant age 12 months; no group differences in symptoms, quality of life, breastfeeding self-efficacy, psychological measures, infant growth or satisfaction. One author is affiliated with Traditional Medicinals; the registered trial (NCT02190448) lists the company as collaborator and specifies 3 to 5 cups daily for 4 weeks; it also listed milk production, prolactin, oxytocin and milk composition as planned secondary outcomes, with no results posted.
  6. Wegener T, Heimueller E. Treatment of Mild Gastrointestinal Disorders with a Herbal Combination: Results of a Non-interventional Study with Gastritol® Liquid. Phytother Res. 2016;30(1):72-7. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5502.PubMedUsed to support: Non-interventional, open, multicenter observational study with no control group: 149 outpatients (90 without and 59 with diabetes) took Gastritol Liquid, a combination of chamomile, silverweed, licorice, angelica, blessed thistle and wormwood extracts, for 2 weeks. All symptoms improved, most for vomiting (down 66.7%, 63.9% in diabetics) and retching (down 52.2% and 53.6%); about 90% rated overall improvement. Seven patients had mild adverse events (5 temporary nausea after intake, 1 gastric spasm, 1 oral burning). The second author is from Dr. Gustav Klein GmbH, the product's registration holder.
  7. McBride GM, Stevenson R, Zizzo G, Rumbold AR, Amir LH, Keir AK, Grzeskowiak LE. Use and experiences of galactagogues while breastfeeding among Australian women. PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254049. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254049.PubMedUsed to support: Online survey of 1,876 Australian women who were or had been breastfeeding: 1,120 (60%) used a galactagogue, 98 (5%) blessed thistle. Among blessed thistle users, 8 (8%) reported any side effect and 4 (4%) two or more. Mean perceived effectiveness for eight of nine galactagogues, domperidone excepted, fell between slightly and moderately effective. Self-report, no control group.
  8. Mortel M, Mehta SD. Systematic review of the efficacy of herbal galactogogues. J Hum Lact. 2013;29(2):154-62. doi: 10.1177/0890334413477243.PubMedUsed to support: Systematic review of randomized trials of herbal galactogogues: the five herbal preparations studied were shatavari, torbangun, fenugreek, milk thistle and a Japanese herbal medication; blessed thistle was not among them. Trials had limitations affecting validity.
  9. Forinash AB, Yancey AM, Barnes KN, Myles TD. The use of galactogogues in the breastfeeding mother. Ann Pharmacother. 2012;46(10):1392-404. doi: 10.1345/aph.1R167.PubMedUsed to support: Review that searched for Cnicus benedictus and blessed thistle among other galactogogues; human efficacy data were reported for metoclopramide, oxytocin, fenugreek and milk thistle (small trials with variable results), and the authors conclude that efficacy and safety data are lacking and nonpharmacologic measures should come first.
  10. Avula B, Katragunta K, Wang YH, Ali Z, Khan IA. Simultaneous determination and characterization of flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactone, and other phenolics from Centaurea benedicta and dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS and LC-DAD-QToF. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2022;216:114806. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114806.PubMedUsed to support: Analytical study: cnicin content of Centaurea benedicta (syn. Cnicus benedictus) plant samples ranged from 0.9 to 10.3 mg/g; of 21 dietary supplements claiming C. benedictus extract, 13 (62%) contained all marker compounds and were confirmed as authentic, while 3 contained none of the seven marker compounds (full text, PMC12083748).
  11. Zeller W, de Gols M, Hausen BM. The sensitizing capacity of Compositae plants. VI. Guinea pig sensitization experiments with ornamental plants and weeds using different methods. Arch Dermatol Res. 1985;277(1):28-35. doi: 10.1007/BF00406478.PubMedUsed to support: Guinea pig skin sensitization tests of ether extracts from 20 Compositae species: Cnicus benedictus (blessed thistle) was a strong sensitizer; cross-reactions were common and depend on sesquiterpene lactones with an alpha-methylene group exocyclic to the lactone. Skin testing in animals, not oral use.
  12. Mohammed MJ, Kadhim HM. The hepatoprotective effects of the polyphenol-enriched n-butanol fraction of Cnicus benedictus against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats: In vivo study. Toxicol Rep. 2025;14:101850. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101850.PubMedUsed to support: Rat study: a polyphenol-enriched n-butanol fraction of Cnicus benedictus leaves (HPLC detected quercetin, gallic acid, rutin, kaempferol, silibinin and apigenin; silibinin is normally a milk thistle marker), 100 mg/kg daily by mouth for 6 weeks with carbon tetrachloride, lowered serum ALT, AST and bilirubin, raised liver glutathione, lowered malondialdehyde, downregulated TGF beta 1, alpha-SMA and hydroxyproline and improved histology versus toxin alone. No funding received. Not tested in people.
  13. Liu H, Hua Y, Luo H, Shen Z, Tao X, Zhu X. An Herbal Galactagogue Mixture Increases Milk Production and Aquaporin Protein Expression in the Mammary Glands of Lactating Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:760585. doi: 10.1155/2015/760585.PubMedUsed to support: Rat study: 30 female rats (virgin, lactating plus water, lactating plus galactagogue; 10 each). The decoction of a seven-ingredient mixture (Vaccaria seed, Euphorbia heterophylla, pangolin scales, Astragalus, Tetrapanax, Platycodon and 15 g Cnicus benedictus), 2 mL/kg by gavage 3 times daily for 8 days, increased milk production and mammary AQP-3 and AQP-5 expression. Funded by a Wenzhou city research grant. Mixture only; not tested in people.
  14. Kim KH, Seo SE, Lee SH, Kwon OS. Bioelectronics for bitterness-based phytocompound detection using human bitter taste receptor nanodiscs. Biosens Bioelectron. 2024;264:116679. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116679.PubMedUsed to support: Lab biosensor study: the human bitter taste receptor hTAS2R46, reconstituted in nanodiscs on a graphene transistor, detected the bitter sesquiterpene lactone cnicin with high selectivity; receptor binding was modeled by simulation. No human intake tested.
  15. Gobrecht P, Gebel J, Leibinger M, Zeitler C, Chen Z, Gründemann D, Fischer D. Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration. Phytomedicine. 2024;129:155641. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155641.PubMedUsed to support: Isolated-constituent study in cells and animals: purified cnicin promoted axon growth in cultured neurons and, given intravenously, sped functional recovery after nerve injury; blood half-life 12.7 minutes and oral bioavailability 84.7% in rats; oral cnicin promoted axon regeneration in mice. A corrigendum was published in 2026. Not the herb, and not tested in people.
  16. Paun G, Neagu E, Moroeanu V, Albu C, Savin S, Lucian Radu G. Chemical and Bioactivity Evaluation of Eryngium planum and Cnicus benedictus Polyphenolic-Rich Extracts. Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:3692605. doi: 10.1155/2019/3692605.PubMedUsed to support: Lab study: a nanofiltration-enriched polyphenolic Cnicus benedictus extract, high in chlorogenic and sinapic acids, showed strong radical scavenging (IC50 0.0081 mg/mL) and reducing power, inhibited alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase in test tubes and was not toxic to NCTC cells. No human intake tested.
  17. Dr. Gustav Klein GmbH & Co. KG. Fachinformation: Gastritol Liquid, Flüssigkeit zum Einnehmen (German prescribing information) Fachinfo-Service. 2025;Version dated October 2025 (not PubMed-indexed; in German)..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. Prescribing information: 10 ml contain 3.5 ml silverweed extract (1:1.7 to 2.2, ethanol 40%), 2.0 ml chamomile flower, 1.5 ml licorice root and 0.5 ml each of angelica root, blessed thistle and wormwood extracts; registered as a traditional herbal medicine, based exclusively on long-standing use, for mild digestive complaints and mild cramp-like stomach and gut complaints in adults; 30 drops (1.3 ml) three times daily for no longer than 2 weeks; 410 mg alcohol per 30 drops; not for pregnancy, breastfeeding or anyone under 18. Registration holder Dr. Gustav Klein GmbH & Co. KG.