Carduus

Silybum marianum syn. Carduus marianus


Common Name(s)
St. Mary's thistle, milk thistle.
Origin
Native to the Mediterranean region and grown throughout Europe.
Background
The flowerheads were traditionally grown to eat as a substitute for artichokes, and boiled as a spring tonic following the winter months.
Preparation
The ripe, dried seeds are soaked in water for one to two days and then macerated in alcohol.

Remedy profile

Carduus is most suitable for people who are completely run down, with the kind of total physical and mental exhaustion, blankness, and indifference that may arise following a hard life of physical labor, or that may be caused by alcoholism.

The classic symptom picture for Carduus is of acute or chronic liver problems and lung conditions such as asthma. The remedy may be used for severe liver and abdominal pain that is most marked when lying on the left side, or for gallbladder pain and gallstone colic. The stools are typically discolored and pale due to liver malfunction, or they may be dark due to internal bleeding in the digestive system.

Symptoms better: For sitting up in bed; after a nosebleed.

Symptoms worse: For movement; for lying on the left side; for alcohol.



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