Cardo-santo, also known as cardo bento or cardo blessed, is a medicinal plant that can be used to assist in the treatment of digestive and liver problems, and can be considered a great home remedy.
Its scientific name is Carduus benedictus and can be purchased at health food stores, drugstores and some street markets.
What is the thistle for
The thistle can be used for several purposes, as it has several properties, such as antiseptic, healing, astringent, digestive, decongestant, stimulant, tonic, expectorant, diuretic and antimicrobial properties. Thus, the thistle can be used to:
- Assist digestion; Combat stomach and intestinal gases; Improve liver function; Stimulate appetite; Favor wound healing; Assists in the treatment of infections, such as gonorrhea, for example.
In addition, the thistle is useful in the treatment of diarrhea, varicose veins, lack of memory, headache, colds and flu, swelling, cystitis and colic.
How to use the thistle
The parts used in the thistle are the stems, leaves and flowers, and can be used to make teas, sitz baths or compresses, for example.
Thistle tea should be made by placing 30 grams of the plant in 1 liter of water and boiling for 10 minutes. Then let it stand for 5 minutes, strain and drink 2 times a day after meals. As the plant has a very bitter taste, tea can be sweetened with a little honey.
The compress and the sitz bath are made in the same way and are indicated to treat wounds, hemorrhoids or infections.
Contraindications of thistle
The use of cardo-santo should preferably be done according to the recommendation of the herbalist and is not indicated for women who are in the lactation period, pregnant women and children.
