Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Thistle, as an unspecified herb, is most commonly associated with "milk thistle" (Silybum marianum) in Western herbalism and with various thistles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as Cirsium species. In TCM, thistles are sometimes used to "cool the blood" or "clear heat," and some species like Cirsium setosum (Da Ji) have been used to address conditions like bleeding disorders and to support the Spleen, which in TCM theory is related to digestion, nutrient assimilation, and blood production. However, this use is based primarily on traditional energetic frameworks rather than modern anatomical or physiological knowledge of the spleen.

In Western herbalism, milk thistle is widely used for liver health, with some scientific evidence supporting its hepatoprotective properties. However, there is little to no scientific research directly supporting the use of thistle (of any species) specifically for the spleen as understood in modern medicine. The traditional use in TCM is not backed by robust clinical studies, but has a long-standing historical precedent. Therefore, the justification for using unspecified thistle to support the spleen comes from traditional systems rather than scientific validation, and the evidence is limited to anecdotal and historical usage.

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Other ingredients that support Spleen

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Agrimonia pilosa
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Alkylglycerols
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Alpha Glucans
Alstonia macrophylla
Alstonia scholaris
Amomum
Ampelopsis
Anamarrhena
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ankaflavin
Antrodia camphorata
apple
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baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
bee pollen
bee products
Beef liver
belleric myrobalan
Berberis (unspecified)
bergenin
berry
beta-glucan
Bidens pilosa
black garlic
black seed
blackberry
bok choy
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borassus palm
bovine liver
bovine protein
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broccoli
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calycosin
cantaloupe
capers
capillary artemisia
carob
carqueja
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cauliflower
Ceanothus integerrimus
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chaga mushroom
chamomile
chard
chebulinic acid
chen pi
chickweed
Chinese raisintree
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chirata
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Clerodendrum trichotomum
Codonopsis
coix
collard
Combretum quadrangulare
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coriolus mushroom
Cornus
costus
cowherb
cruciferous
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cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
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dandelion
danshen
Dendrobium
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diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dioscorea
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eggplant
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elkweed
emblicanin
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Euryale seed
Ficus simplicissima
Flammulina velutipes
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavones
flavonoids
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fo-ti
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fu ling
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ganoderma
gardenia
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garlic
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goldenseal
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gooseberry
grape
green chiretta
green tea
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hartstongue
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honey
hyacinth bean
hypsizygus marmoreus
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iron
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jujube
kale
kelp
knotweed
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lemon
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Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Ligustrazin
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Lilium polyphyllum
Limonium sinense
Lindera
lingzhi
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longan
loquat
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lotus seed
luteolin
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Maclura tricuspidata
magic fruit
maitake mushroom
Manchurian thorn
mangiferin
mango
mangosteen
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millet seed
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Monardella odoratissima
Morinda
Moringa
Morus
Mugwort
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noni
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oleanolic acid
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Oroxylum indicum
oryza
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Paris polyphylla
parsley
Patrinia
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peony
perilla
Persimmon
Petiveria
Phenylpropanoids
Phragmites
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picrorhiza kurroa
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pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
pollen
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polyporous mushroom
polysaccharides
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pumpkin
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rhizome
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rice
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
Rosa roxburghii
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Rubia yunnanensis
Rubus
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saponins
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schizonepeta
seaweed
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Selaginella
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shiitake mushroom
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vitamin B
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wheat germ
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zanthoxylum
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Other body systems supported by Thistle

Digestive System
Gall Bladder
Gastrointestinal Tract
Hepatic System
Intestinal System
Liver
Spleen

Products containing Thistle

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.