Carduus benedictus
Centaurea benedicta · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (706 studies) · ★★★★★
Carduus benedictus, scientifically known as Centaurea benedicta, is a perennial herb historically revered in traditional medicine. Often called Blessed Thistle, it has been long utilized to support digestive health, soothe inflammation, and bolster the immune system. This potent botanical remains a staple in herbal remedies for its restorative properties.
Names
Common Names
- Our Lady's thistle
- blessed thistle
- Bitter Thistle
- Cursed Thistle
- Holy Thistle
- Spotted Thistle
- St. Benedict's Thistle
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Cnicus benedictus
- Cardo bendito
- Centaurea bendita
- Centaurea vellosa
- Carbeni benedicta
- Calcitrapa lanosilla
- Cardo-huso áspero
- Centaurea sudorífica
- Tangarnina
- Zorrina
- Centaurea sudorifica
- Cardo-huso aspero
- Cardo huso aspero
- Cardo huso áspero
German:
- Benediktenkraut
- Cnicus benedictus
- Cnicus
- Benediktendistel
- Benediktenwurz
- Bitterdistel
- Kardobenedikte
- Bernhardinerwurzel
- Benediktenkraut
- Bitterdistel
French:
- Cnicus benedictus
- Chardon Béni
- Chardon beni
- Cnicus
- chardon béni
- cnicaut béni
- chardon bénit
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Centaurea benedictaSynonyms
- Carbenia benedicta
- Cnicus benedictus
- Carbeni benedicta
- Calcitrapa benedicta
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Centaurea, specifically as the species Centaurea benedicta.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Centaurea | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in Belgium. Its range continues through the central territories of Germany. Finally, the plant is also documented within the Czechia-Slovakia region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as blessed thistle, utilizes its leaf as a key component in its medicinal profile. The leaf of Centaurea benedicta is characterized by its elongated shape and distinctive margins, often serving as a primary part of the botanical material used in traditional herbal preparations. In various therapeutic practices, the leaf is valued for its specific phytochemical properties, contributing to the overall efficacy of the plant when employed in digestive or tonic remedies.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Research in pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Centaurea benedicta has 89 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cnicin, Arctigenin, Arctiin, (+)-catechin, ALUMINUM.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cnicin | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Arctigenin | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Arctiin | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-catechin | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ALUMINUM | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Absinthin | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Artemisiifolin | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ash | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Astragalin | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Centaurea benedicta has 585 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-HT-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antinociceptive | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-HT-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ACE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AP-1-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Absorbent | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acaricide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidulant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenergic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |