Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Europe, where it was valued for its supposed benefits in supporting women's reproductive health, including menstrual irregularities. Historical texts and folk medicine sources cite the use of blessed thistle as an “emmenagogue,” meaning an agent believed to stimulate menstrual flow or regulate the menstrual cycle. Its bitter principles, especially cnicin, were thought to have a general tonic effect and stimulate digestion and circulation, which in turn was believed to benefit the female reproductive system.

However, contemporary scientific evidence supporting these specific uses is limited to non-existent. Most modern research on blessed thistle focuses on its potential as a galactagogue (to support breast milk production) or its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, not directly on menstrual health. No high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated a clear benefit for menstrual irregularity. Thus, its use for this purpose is justified by tradition rather than by robust scientific validation, and the evidence is weak (rated 1 out of 5). Healthcare providers generally recommend more evidence-based options for menstrual irregularities, and blessed thistle should be used with caution, if at all, for this purpose.

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