Cnicus benedictus,Centaurea benedicta. Carbenia Benedicta, Carduus benedictus   Holy Thistle, Blessed Thistle   Family: Asteraceae    
PART USED: Dried Aerial parts.
TASTE: Very bitter   ODORLESS: Faint
ACTIONS
1. Bitter stomachic.[1,2]
2. Antidiarrheal.[1]
3. Antihemorrhagic.[1,2]
4. Febrifuge.[1]
5. Expectorant.[1,2]
6. Antibiotic.[1] Bacteriostatic.[1]
Topical- Vulnerary.[1,2] Antiseptic.[1,2]
INDICATIONS
1. Anorexia.[1,2] Flatulent dyspepsia.[1] Dyspepsia.[2]
2. Bronchial catarrh.[1] Catarrh.[2]
Topical- Gangrenous and indolent ulcers.[1,2] Wounds.[2]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Atonic dyspepsia.[1] Enteropathy with flatulent colic.[1]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS:  3X/day
Collected in Summer
Dried flowering tops  1.5-3 g.[1]
Infusion[1] 1.5-3 g.[2]
Liquid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol  1.5-3 ml.[1]  2-4 ml.[2]
Liquid extract 1:2 in 25% alcohol.[3]

ORIGIN: Coastal regions of the Mediterranean, Asia and Britain.
DESCRIPTION: An annual thistle like herb growing up to 50 cm high. Leaves; greyish-green, thin and brittle, with prominent, pale veins and irregularly toothed margins, each tooth ending in a spine. Flowerheads; 2 cm long and 4 cm broad, with bristly scales.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
Cnicin has some antibiotic activity.[1]
References
[1] Vanhaelen- Fastre, R. and Vanhaelen, M. (1976) Planta Med. 29, 179

Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future.
Abenavoli L, Capasso R, Milic N, Capasso F.
Abstract
Silybum marianum or milk thistle (MT) is the most well-researched plant in the treatment of liver disease. The active complex of MT is a lipophilic extract from the seeds of the plant and is composed of three isomer flavonolignans (silybin, silydianin, and silychristin) collectively known as silymarin. Silybin is a component with the greatest degree of biological activity and makes up 50% to 70% of silymarin. Silymarin is found in the entire plant but it is concentrated in the fruit and seeds. Silymarin acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production and lipid peroxidation, has antifibrotic activity and may act as a toxin blockade agent by inhibiting binding of toxins to the hepatocyte cell membrane receptors. In animals, silymarin reduces liver injury caused by acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, radiation, iron overload, phenylhydrazine, alcohol, cold ischaemia and Amanita phalloides. Silymarin has been used to treat alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis and toxin-induced liver diseases.
PMID: 20564545 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3207 Phytother Res. 2010 Oct;24(10):1423-32. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3207. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov