Heart Disease 8. Although native to Europe and Asia, blessed thistle is now cultivated in many areas of the world, including the United States. The leaves, stems, and flowers are all used in herbal preparations. The sesquiterpene lactones, such as cnicin, provide the main beneficial effects of blessed thistle in the treatment of indigestion . The bitterness of these compounds stimulates digestive activity, including the flow of saliva and secretion of gastric juice, which leads to improved appetite and digestion.
Some evidence indicates that blessed thistle also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Some herbalists suggest 2 ml three times per day of blessed thistle tincture. Three cups can be drunk each day. Blessed thistle is generally safe and free from side effects. Anyone with allergies to plants in the daisy family should use blessed thistle cautiously. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with blessed thistle.