Forums HomeGrown Herbalist Student Forum Medicinal Herbs Bull thistle vs Milk thistle

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #43732
      Wendy Dyk
      Student

        Does anyone know if the bull thistle has any of the same medicinal qualities as the milk thistle? Unfortunately milk thistle doesn’t grow wild here in SW Montana that I can find, but we have an abundance of bull thistles. Thanks in advance!

        2 users thanked author for this post.
      • #44789
        Dr. Patrick Jones
        Homestead Instructor

          Nope. Different critters

          Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

          Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

          1 user thanked author for this post.
        • #44899
          Michelle Koch
          Student

            However, bull thistle is not without her redeeming qualities!  Her root is anti-inflammatory, and very helpful for arthritis, similar to burdock root.  Her stems and flowers are also edible.

            1 user thanked author for this post.
            • #44930
              Dr. Patrick Jones
              Homestead Instructor

                That’s true. I must confess that I have a bit of a bias against all the thistles besides milk thistle and blessed thistle. I tend to turn my nose up at them…prickly rascals.  I should probably be nicer to them.

                That said, I must opine that spending half an hour cutting the spines off of thistle stems so that I can have a piece of celery is not a good use of wild edible foraging time. Anyone that’s done that more than once must have been hungrier than I was when I did it.  :0)

                Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

                1 user thanked author for this post.
              • #49883
                Sharon
                Student

                  Michelle – shoot!  I tinctured bull thistle leaves and flowers for arthritis – now I wonder if it’s any good for that – our ground out here is like concrete poured over rocks – roots are not a good thing to want here!

            Viewing 2 reply threads
            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
            Scroll to Top