Thistle confusion!

[Guest guest]

Can someone please help me sort out this business with Milk Thistle

(Silybum Marianus) and St. Mary's Thistle (Carduus Marianus)? In my

research I have seen the name " Milk Thistle " used for St. Mary's

Thistle too. This is an example taken from Henrietta's herbal:

The ripe seeds of Carduus marianus, Linné (Cnicus marianus, Silybum

marianum, Gaertner).

Nat. Ord.—Compositae.

COMMON NAMES: Mary thistle, Milk thistle, St. Mary's thistle.

So is it Carduus marianus, Silybum marianum or both???

 

Here in Italy I haven't been able to find easily Silybum Marianus,

but Carduus Marianus is plentiful at the herbalists. From what I can

tell the properties are indeed similar, but in researching Milk

Thistle I have found claims that the herb actually helps rebuild

liver cells, as opposed to " cleaning " the liver. Any thoughts on

this same action in regards to St. Mary's Thistle (if they are indeed

different)?

 

Here in the Alps we have the thistle Carduus Defloratus growing

everywhere. I haven't yet found any medicinal info on it. Here is a

picture http://www.scalve.it/fiori/034.htm Anyone familiar with this

one and whether it's medicinal properties have been documented? If

not, any ideas about how to go about testing/experimenting with it

(to determine properties, not necessarily ingest). Like is it safe

to assume that the properties would be similar to the other thistles?

 

All thoughts welcome, Thanks

thessa