Plants Pacific Northwest

Canadian Thistle - Compositae

Botanical Glossary - Home

Note: These plants can be dangerous if improperly used. The author, and/or ernestartist.org assume no liability for experimentation of use.

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Ernestartist.org assumes no liability for experimental use of medicinal plants, food plants or herbal remedies.

Thistle:

All thistles are edible, at least in small amounts. Palatability varies tremendously between species and individual plants. Peeled and cooked leaves or stems may be used as potherb. Many are quite good and tasty like flavor typical of artichokes, but most are tough and bitter. This is a good plant to remember for survival purposes, as the plant grows pastures, cultivated fields, along margins of roadsides, and in other disturbed sites across North America.

Milk thistle has been used for liver disorders, with the active compound silymarin found in the seeds which has been shown to strengthen, protect and regenerate liver cells in cases of chronic or acute liver damage. Other thistles have been used for centuries to treat maladies such as stomachache to diabetes. American Indians used several species of the Bull thistle to treat respiratory congestion, dermatitis, parasitic infections, and veneral disease, helps stop bleeding, and to help stimulate milk production in nursing mothers (and even a contraceptive)

Some thistles contain potentially carcinogenic alkaloids and should never be consumed in large quantities.

The roots are also considered a useful source of food. When roasted, they become very sweet and sugary.