Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus
Record ID:23Naming |
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| Botanical Name: | Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus |
| Common Names: | Holy Thistle, Marian Thistle, Marystistle, Milk-thistle, St. Mary's Thistle, Wild Artichoke |
| Key Name: | Milk-thistle |
| Parts Used: | Powdered seed, fresh and dried leaves, whole and dried flowering plant, fresh root, fresh young stems and shoots, fresh receptacle |
| Sister Plants: | Cirsium arvense, Carduus nutans, Silybum eburneum |
| Comments: | Robust biennial with medicinal value; thrives in disturbed soils; supports biodiversity despite limited pollinator role |
Characteristics |
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| Identifying Character: | Biennial herb (30-150 cm), erect prominently grooved stem, seldom branched, large oblong shiny variegated spiny leaves, violet-purple thistle-like flowers (up to 5 cm), solitary with spiny hemispherical base, blackish speckled ovovoid achenes with white pappus (L. Gaertn, Asteraceae; annual or biennial) |
| Stem: | 30-150 cm tall, erect, prominently grooved, seldom branched |
| Leaves: | Large, oblong, shiny, variegated, very spiny, sessile or clasping |
| Flowers: | Violet-purple, thistle-like, up to 5 cm long, usually solitary, surrounded by long spiny hemispherical capitula base |
| Fruit: | Blackish, speckled, ovovoid achene with a long white pappus |
| Taste: | Bitter (leaves, root), mild (young stems) |
| Odour: | Earthy, slightly resinous |
| Root: | Thick, taproot, supports plant stability |
| Image: |
Image URL: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.FsdprJB1WNnDHO8mI_yfwQHaEK%26r%3D0%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=b44dd4281d76c1b8ff0d991bb18089ebbab1637a35f7508234f37878df5cd1b0&ipo=images |
Distribution |
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| Distribution: | Native to central and western Europe, introduced and naturalized in California and elsewhere |
| Cultivation: | Wild plant, easily grown from seed in sunny, well-drained locations; sow in spring or fall, space 12-18 inches apart |
| Harvest: | Flowering plant: Summer (June-August) |
Medical |
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| Therapeutic Action: | Bitter, cathartic, cholagogue, choleretic, digestive, diuretic, hypertensive, tonic |
| Medical Uses: | Whole plant: Appetite stimulant, digestive aid, dyspepsia, liver tissue regeneration, gall bladder support, bile flow stimulation. Powdered seed: Choleretic for cardiovascular disorders, jaundice, gallstones, colic; topical for leg ulcers, varicose veins |
| Constituents: | Essential oil, tyramine, histamine, silybin, silymarin |
| Solvents: | Alcohol, Water |
| Dosage: | Powdered seed: 1-2 tsp in emulsion daily; Infusion: 1 tsp dried leaves in hot water |
| Administration: | Internal: Infusion, emulsion, or powder; External: Poultice for ulcers |
| Formulas: | Formula #154 Lower Blood Sugar |
| Contra Indications: | Seeds to be used only by qualified personnel; may cause allergic reactions or digestive upset; avoid in pregnancy; consult healthcare provider |
| Preparation: | Infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried leaves in hot water for 10 minutes; Emulsion: Mix 1-2 tsp powdered seed with water |
| Chinese: | No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Veterinary: | Used for liver support or wound treatment in livestock |
| Homeopathic: | Seeds used |
Pollination and Pollinators |
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| Apis: | No |
| Pollinator: | 0 |
| Pollen: | No |
| Pollen Notes: | Wind-dispersed, minimal bee interest; data pending further research |
| Nectar: | No |
| Nectar Notes: | Minimal nectar, not a primary bee attractant; data pending further research |
Other |
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| Non-Medical Uses: | Ornamental, dye from flowers, soil stabilization |
| Culinary Uses: | Young leaves, shoots, peeled stems, flower receptacles, and roots may be cooked and eaten |
| History: | Used in European herbal medicine since the Middle Ages; valued for liver health |
| Reference: | 1, 2, 5, 24, 38; Plants For A Future |
| URL: | https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Silybum+marianum |
| Share: | Private |