Synonyms: Holy Thistle, Lady's Thistle, Marian Thistle, Mary Thistle, Silybum, St. Mary's Thistle, Variegated Thistle
Family: Asteraceae
Genus species: Silybum marianum, Carduus marianum, Carduus marianus
Type: Biennial thistle-like plant
Part Used: Herb during flowering
Location: Argentina, Asia Minor, central Europe, China, Hungary, North America, northern Africa, northern Germany, Romania, South America, southern Australia, southern Europe, southern Russia
Actions: Antidepressant, cholagogue, demulcent, galactogogue, hepatic, liver detoxifier
Indications: Agalactia, depression, gallbladder disorders, liver disorders
Warning: Toxic in sheep and cattle, no reports of being toxic in man. Accumulates nitrates.