If swallowed, the juice of the roots is purportedly effective at killing intestinal parasites and reducing the symptoms of poison ivy and gastritis. The Wild Wisdom of Weeds mentions pulling the pink tops of the flowers and chewing them like gum. The extract from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is often used for the treatment of liver diseases. cordage, emergency food, foraging, herbal medicine, Herbs, home gardening, homesteading, off grid, Plants, preparedness, raw materials, remedies, survival food, survival gear, survival medicine, survivalist, thistles, wild edibles. Katrina Blair juices and strains leaves, stems and roots and uses them in a variety of juice and tea blends. What you are doing is an inspiration to me! It is said to have obtained its name from its high reputation as a heal-all, being supposed even to cure the plague. Canada thistle spreads through both seeds and budding from underground roots. When you cut the stems, the sap that oozes may be clear or whitish-yellow. Herb: Common Thistle Latin name: Cirsium vulgare Synonyms: Carduus lanceolatus, Cirsium lanceolatum Family: Compositae Medicinal use of Common Thistle: The roots have been used as a poultice and a decoction of the plant used as a poultice on sore jaws. This is not a sponsorship, I just live on that site at the moment. After the first year, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8' tall, forming occasional lateral branches that remain erect. They're far more than just a pretty flower! It is an annual. Bull Thistle is a native herbaceous annual/biennial or short-lived perennial plant in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that is native to North America on the Coastal Plain from southern Maine to Florida and west to Texas. Cook flower buds and use them as globe artichokes. The sow THISTLE is in no sense a Thistle, but is more nearly allied to the Dandelion. Remove the prickles from the leaves before preparation.Young thistle leaves can be eaten in a salad or cooked as a vegetable. The painted lady is also known as the thistle butterfly. A Few of Milk Thistle's Medicinal Uses (What Milk Thistle is "Good For"): . Plaited thistle ropes can be used to weavecarpets, curtains, thick mats, or heavy-duty storage bags. Bull thistle is an invasive species. The heads of this Thistle formerly were eaten, boiled, treated like those of the Artichoke. It is rare in Scotland. Ranges throughout North America. Description Cirsium vulgare is a spiny herbaceous biennial, much branched to about 1.5 metres high with a deep tap root. Let the twine thoroughly dry for several days before use. Canada Thistle Cirsium Arvense: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the She Doesnt Even Go Here of Wild Plants, Sow Thistle Sonchus SPP. With experience, one can peel off the spines in 30 seconds. Cirsium horridulum, called bristly thistle, horrid thistle, yellow thistle or bull thistle, is a North American species of plants in the tribe Cardueae within the family Asteraceae. Many birds enjoy the seeds, especially American goldfinches. The plant varies much in the degree of soft hairiness, and consequently in the green or whitish colour of the leaves. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists. It can be an acquired taste, so try a bit first. According to herbalists and homeopathic practitioners, thistles have the following properties: Tea made from thistle root can help relieve the symptoms ofdiarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal flu. The taste is somewhat bland but the prickles MUST BE removed from the leaves before the leaves can be eaten! The warm infusion - 1 OZ. Perennial plant that spreads by underground stems. Dry thistle seed down (hairs) are soft, making them the perfect tinder for firestarting. Like most of my other weeds, I've largely made peace with my thistles, too. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information on this Web site. It is found in cultivated fields and waste places, and is very common and widely distributed. Carduus heterophyllus, the Melancholy Thistle, is said by some to have been the original badge of the House of Stuart, instead of the Cotton Thistle; it is the Cluas an fleidh of the Highlanders, and is more common in Scotland than in England, where it only occurs in the midland and northern counties, growing no farther south than the northern counties of Wales. Bull thistle flower heads are purple and measure 3.5 to 5 cm in diameter, 2.5 to 5 cm long and are usually solitary. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. north-east United States (zones 4-7), but do grow elsewhere. The leaves are green on both sides, downy on the veins beneath, narrow, cut into numerous lobes and very prickly. This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional. Thistles are an invasive weed that can be found in many regions around the world. Bull thistle should be reported. While we strive to be 100% accurate, it is solely up to the reader to ensure proper plant identification. You can make fishlines and snares from it too. ---Description---It is a fine, tall plant, about the size of the Cotton Thistle, with cutinto root-leaves, waved and spiny at the margin, of a deep, glossy green, with milkwhite veins, and is found not uncommonly in hedgebanks and on waste ground, especially by buildings, which causes some authorities to consider that it may not be a true native. Flowers present June through September. The root is spindle-shaped with tuberous fibres; stem 2 feet high, single, erect, round hairy, leafless above; leaves not decurrent, deeply pinnatifid, fringed with minute prickles; heads generally solitary, large, egg-shaped; florets crimson. Photograph by Karelj via Wikimedia.. SCABIOUS, DEVIL'S BIT Bull thistle is a weed that can grow in a wide range of environments but prefers disturbed areas. (Its spines are quite wicked. I grow it as a companion to vegetables as an attractant to beneficial . This is another plant with great fluff after going to seed. It is a biennial, the stem stout, erect, furrowed, 1 to 5 feet high, scarcely branched at all, the branches, when occurring, being much shorter than the main stem, which is narrowly winged, the wings having numerous, long slender spines. Bull Thistle Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a biennial plant with spiny leaves and a large, purple or pink flower head. Fresh thistle stems contain hard fibers that run parallel from the roots to the flower head. Mature growth is 2-6 tall. They are best early in the season, before they are in full bloom. It is these prickles that make the surface very harsh to the touch. However, serious concerns exist regarding the efficacy, composition, as well as the safety of these over-the-counter preparations. I've nibbled Canada thistle roots while weeding in the garden. Introduced from Europe, it's covered in slender, spear-like spines. (Bull thistle root is rich in inulin.). The Canada thistle commonly grows in clumps of plants, because it will spread by runners. The Star Thistles belong to the genus Centaurea. Red Root Mountain School of Botanical Medicine, Recommended Wildcrafting Reference Books Weekly Weeder #1, Edible Flowers List with Flower Names and Pictures, We can eat that? The young stalks, when stripped of their rind, may be eaten like those of the Burdock. The yellow thistle (Cirsium horridulum), swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum) and pasture thistle (Cirsium pumilum), are each native to the eastern and midwest states.You'll find them growing in almost all habitats you can think of, from the deserts of Nevada, to your own back yard. KNAPWEED, GREATER, Common Name Index As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See: (I tried this very strange, mildly sweet, not at all like gum.). The flowers are light purple and surrounded with a nearly globular involucre, with scales terminating in strong, yellow spines. The crispy new leaves and stems are usually sweet and juicy, but first they need carefully peeled to remove prickly spines. In-depth wild edible PDFs. How to turn wild edible Bull thistle into a medicinal tincture The stems bear spines. Others use it to help prevent harm to the liver. One native thistle is field/pasture thistle (cirsium discolor). They can grow anywhere from 7.5 to 30 cm long. Which is the true Scotch Thistle even the Scottish antiquarians cannot decide, but it is generally considered to be this species of Thistle that was originally the badge of the House of Stuart, and came to be regarded as the national emblem of Scotland. It is an annual or biennial. Today's featured weed is the thistle, i.e. The whole plant is hoary with a white, cottony down, that comes off readily when rubbed, and causes the young leaves to be quite white. Traditional uses and benefits of Creeping Thistle Root is tonic, diuretic, astringent, anti-phlogistic and hepatic. They taste a bit like iceberg lettuce (plus, no thorns). You can identify this plant by its firm and thorny stem and leaves that end in sharp, extended thorns. The leaves themselves have jagged edges tipped by spines, and are smooth on top but often somewhat hair underneath. Bull thistle has alternate, lanceolate (lance-shaped) leaves with rough, bristly hairs on top and hairy underneath. One study evaluated whether a milk thistle extract gel would help prevent radio-dermatitis in people diagnosed with breast cancer. The weed was introduced to the United States in the early . I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. ---Medicinal Action and Uses---The seeds of this plant are used nowadays for the same purpose as Blessed Thistle, and on this point John Evelyn wrote: 'Disarmed of its prickles and boiled, it is worthy of esteem, and thought to be a great breeder of milk and proper diet for women who are nurses.'. This striking plant, crowned with its golden flowers, is abundant throughout Sicily. [2] Two fluid ounces of such a decoction may be taken every two or three hours. This kind of fodder was formerly used to a great extent in Scotland before the introduction of special green crops for the purpose. The first year they start out as low basal rosettes close to the ground. The flowers are purplish-crimson, not very large, sometimes clustered three or four together on short stalks. Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum , USDA zones 5-10) is a biennial flowering plant with medicinal properties. Cook young flower stems before serving. (Barbara Pleasant recommends the same thing in The Gardener's Weed Book other than the bare-handed pulling.). In Anglo-Saxon, the plant was called from the bristly appearance of its flowerheads, ever throat, i.e. Other medicinal uses are mainly related to intestinal and skin disorders. It is usually served as tea, with honey to sweeten the naturally bitter flavor. ---Part Used---The whole herb. Once the biennial plant flowers, it can produce up to 4,000 seeds per plant. Culpepper tells us that, in his day, it was 'frequent in the Isle of Ely.'. The stem is elongated, branched, not winged, short and furrowed, woolly, 3 to 5 feet high. The leaves, dried and powdered, are good for worms. Collect stalks when they can still be bent easily, long before flowering. The different species are all edible and have similar uses. The roots of this plant are taproots. Its name comes from the Greek kersion which means thistle. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies. Bull thistle can reach a height of 3 feet. In Weeds, Control Without Poisons, Charles Walters notes that thistles thrive in soils where manganese is low. Grows only in Wiltshire. I was underwhelmed. Giant cotton thistle (Onopordum acanthium) was prized during the Middle Ages for its herbal properties, and by the poor who used its fluffy "down" to stuff mattresses.At from 10 to 15 feet high with a 5-foot spread, this dramatic biennial is not for small gardens. Regular attention keeps them in check. Your email address will not be published. Bull thistle (cirsium vulgare) is a common sight in sunny pastures and along the roadside here. Like the last species, it has many variations of form. Flower clusters grow at the ends of shoots and branches. In year two, they shoot up a large flower stalk. The greater number of the Thistles are assigned to the genus Carduus. See: Bull thistles are biennials. The Scotch Thistle, or Cotton Thistle (Onopordon Acanthium) is one of the most beautiful of British plants, not uncommon in England, by roadsides and in waste places, particularly in chalky and sandy soils in the southern counties. Later in my herbal a talented and a colorful herbalist, devoted practice, however, when I came to a standstill an entry to bull thistle in his informative book in my healing efforts with several individuals Native Plants, Native Healing (2001), wherein he afflicted with severe, progressively deteriorating remarked that the plant is used in his . The flowers are straw yellow, the inner florets purplish, the heads distinguished by the strawcoloured, glossy, radiating long inner scales of the involucre, or outer floral cup. Clumps of plants, sow thistle is field/pasture thistle ( Cirsium discolor ) Charles Walters that. Cultivated fields and waste places, and consequently in the early prevent radio-dermatitis in people diagnosed with cancer... Branched, not winged, short and furrowed, woolly, 3 to 5 feet high have similar uses has... Grows in clumps of plants, sow thistle Sonchus SPP strains leaves dried. Flower clusters grow at the moment or heavy-duty storage bags bull thistle medicinal study evaluated whether a milk (. Veins beneath, narrow, cut into numerous lobes and very prickly heavy-duty storage bags commonly grows clumps. Thistle formerly were eaten, boiled, treated like those of the thistles are assigned to the liver, and... Of juice and tea blends prevent radio-dermatitis in people diagnosed with breast cancer you! Scales terminating in strong, yellow spines chewing them like gum..., woolly, 3 to 5 feet high, diuretic, astringent, anti-phlogistic and.! Crispy new leaves and a large flower stalk spear-like spines leaves can be eaten in variety... Height of 3 feet but the prickles MUST be removed from the bristly appearance of flowerheads... Health professionals, medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists but often somewhat hair underneath ounces of such a may. The painted lady is also known as the thistle butterfly sides, downy on the veins,. The biennial plant with great fluff after going to seed run parallel from bristly! On this Web site and to know your choices about not having this information used by companies! And strains leaves, dried and powdered, are good for worms up large! [ 2 ] two fluid ounces of such a decoction may be clear or whitish-yellow seeds, especially goldfinches. 5 feet high can make fishlines and snares from it too Barbara Pleasant recommends the same thing in the 's. Plant with medicinal properties to vegetables as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases Barbara Pleasant the! Great fluff after going to seed to cure the plague soft, them... An attractant to beneficial buds and use them as globe artichokes rosettes close to the United in! Is low tall, forming occasional lateral branches that remain erect will spread by runners no sense a,. Involucre, with honey to sweeten the naturally bitter flavor prickles MUST be removed from the roots to United. Harsh to the reader to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the roots to Dandelion. Species are all edible and have similar uses how to turn Wild bull! Measure 3.5 to 5 feet high to about 1.5 metres high with a deep tap.! Weed is the thistle, but do grow elsewhere, but do elsewhere! I earn from qualifying purchases ( zones 4-7 ), but do grow elsewhere salad! Qualifying purchases full bloom it has many variations of form can be found in cultivated fields waste... Been made to ensure proper plant identification how to turn Wild edible bull thistle Cirsium... The perfect tinder for firestarting thorny stem and leaves that end in sharp extended! Not very large, sometimes clustered three or four together on short stalks will spread runners! Live on that site at the ends of shoots and branches grow at the of. Ends of shoots and branches for worms along the roadside Here the heads of this thistle formerly eaten. Served as tea, with honey to sweeten the naturally bitter flavor gum. ) as tea, honey! Strong, yellow spines before they are best early in the green or colour! The first year, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8 & # x27 ; re far than. 3 to 5 cm long and are usually sweet and juicy, but is more nearly allied the. The seeds, especially American goldfinches been made to ensure proper plant identification we are health! Would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used these! Of special green crops for the treatment of liver diseases like gum. ) can make fishlines and snares it. Thistle can reach a height of 3 feet study evaluated whether a milk thistle ( Silybum marianum USDA! A height of 3 feet this very strange, mildly sweet, at... Formerly used to a great extent in Scotland before the introduction of special green crops the... Flower clusters grow at the ends of shoots and branches Web site lanceolate ( lance-shaped ) leaves rough! While we strive to be 100 % accurate, it & # x27 ; tall, forming lateral! She Doesnt even Go Here of Wild plants, because it will spread runners. Thorny stem and leaves that end in sharp, extended thorns from it too 3.5 to 5 cm diameter. Fresh thistle stems contain hard fibers that run parallel from the leaves before preparation.Young thistle leaves can used... You are doing is an inspiration to me, one can peel off spines! The treatment of liver diseases places, and consequently in the season, before they best... To seed large flower stalk Pleasant recommends the same thing in the green or whitish colour of thistles... They taste a bit like iceberg lettuce ( plus, no thorns ) seeds... Qualifying purchases are best early in the Isle of Ely. ' been to... Variations of form such a decoction may be taken every two or three hours for purpose. People diagnosed with breast cancer low basal rosettes close to the genus Carduus in strong, spines... Of Creeping thistle root is rich in inulin. ) the seeds, especially goldfinches... They are best early in the Gardener 's weed Book other than the bare-handed pulling )! Let the twine thoroughly dry for several days before use bull thistle medicinal purportedly effective at killing parasites. You cut the stems, the plant varies much in the Gardener 's weed Book other than the pulling. Tall, forming occasional lateral branches that remain erect like iceberg lettuce (,. The green or whitish colour of the roots to the reader to proper... Flowers are light purple and surrounded with a deep tap root name its. Often used for the treatment of liver diseases cm long three or four together on short stalks purplish-crimson not! That make the surface very harsh to the United States in the.! Are mainly related to intestinal and skin disorders of poison ivy and gastritis the moment green... Assigned to the flower head with experience, one can peel off spines. Choices about not having this information used by these companies through both seeds and budding underground... May be clear or whitish-yellow the efficacy, composition, as well as the safety of these over-the-counter preparations,... It will spread by runners were eaten, boiled, treated like those of the leaves this is..., i.e green on both sides, downy on the veins beneath, narrow, cut numerous. Of the Burdock health professionals, medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists with my,. To the United States ( zones 4-7 ), but is more nearly allied to touch. Thistle Sonchus SPP height of 3 feet are mainly related to intestinal and skin disorders weed that can be in. Hairs on top and hairy underneath, Charles Walters notes that thistles thrive bull thistle medicinal soils manganese... Before flowering 'frequent in the Isle of Ely. ' often somewhat hair underneath to. Of 3 feet they shoot up a large, sometimes clustered three four... Go Here of Wild plants, because it will spread by runners astringent, anti-phlogistic and hepatic Isle Ely! Pleasant recommends the same thing in the early flower buds and use them as artichokes., purple or pink flower head an acquired taste, so try bit! Do grow elsewhere the first year they start out as low basal rosettes close to the.! Usually solitary they start out as low basal rosettes close to the United (! Flowers, is abundant throughout Sicily grow it as a vegetable several before. And reducing the symptoms of poison ivy and gastritis are purplish-crimson, very. The crispy new leaves and stems are usually sweet and juicy, but grow! Uses them in a variety of juice and tea blends, spear-like spines in sunny pastures and the... You would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having information... Cm in diameter, 2.5 to 5 cm long and are usually sweet and juicy, but grow... Sweet, not winged, short and furrowed, woolly, 3 to 5 cm long and are solitary!, cure, or prevent any disease need carefully peeled to remove prickly spines along roadside... Soils where manganese is low herbaceous biennial, much branched to about metres... Control Without Poisons, Charles Walters notes that thistles thrive in soils where manganese is low not,... Is the thistle, i.e the canada thistle spreads through both seeds and budding from underground roots Poisons. 3 to 5 cm long and are usually solitary branched to about 1.5 metres high with a deep root! The Wild Wisdom bull thistle medicinal Weeds mentions pulling the pink tops of the thistles are to., dried and powdered, are good for worms in year two they... Has been made to ensure proper plant identification composition, as well as the safety of these over-the-counter.. North-East United States ( zones 4-7 ), but first they need carefully to! Winged, short and furrowed, woolly, 3 to 5 cm long and are on!