medicinal herbs
Musk Thistle
Carduus nutans
Herb: Musk Thistle
Latin name: Carduus nutans
Family: Compositae
Medicinal use of Musk Thistle:
The flowers are febrifuge and are used to purify the blood. The seeds contain a fixed oil that is rich in linoleic acid. This has proved of benefit in the prevention of atherosclerosis.Description of the plant:
Plant:
BiennialHeight:
90 cm(2 feet)
Flowering:
May toAugust
Scent:
ScentedBiennial
Habitat of the herb:
Pastures, arable fields and waste places on calcareous soils.Edible parts of Musk Thistle:
Pith of stem - boiled. A pleasant taste, it is eaten like asparagus. Said to be delicious. The dried flowers are used as a curdling agent for plant milks etc.Other uses of the herb:
The down of the plant is used to make paper. The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression. This species contains 41 - 44% oil.Propagation of Musk Thistle:
Seed - sow spring in situ.Cultivation of the herb:
Pastures, arable fields and waste places on calcareous soils.Known hazards of Carduus nutans:
None knownPlant information taken from the Plants For A Future.