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NAME: Milk Thistle

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Silybum Marianum / Asteraceae or Compositae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Saint Mary's thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle

CONDITIONS: full sun, sandy and rocky soil
 

PARTS:	EDIBLE	TASTE	RAW/COOK	SEASON
All
Shoots
Leaves		Mild/young bitter/old	RAW/COOK	Spring
Stalk/Stem		slightly bitter	PEEL/RAW/COOK	Spring
Buds		MILD	COOK	Spring
Flowers
Fruits
Pods
Seeds		coffee sub	ROAST
Nuts
Roots		mild/salsify	RAW/COOK	Fall
Bark

 

PORTION: small-medium

 

COMMENT: Root somewhat mucilaginous texture. Leaves very sharp leaf-spines must be removed first, which is time-consuming.  When cooked they make an acceptable spinach substitute. Flower buds a globe artichoke substitute. Stems can be soaked to reduce the bitterness. Palatable and nutritious, they can be used like asparagus or rhubarb or added to salads. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. A good quality oil is obtained from the seeds. (1)

 

CAUTION: Use gloves to avoid spikes.  Soak roots for 24 hours & change water once before cooking in order to avoid flatulence. Also see: https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Silybum+marianum

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Astringent;  Bitter;  Cholagogue;  Diaphoretic;  Diuretic;  Emetic;  Emmenagogue;  Hepatic;  Homeopathy;  Stimulant;  Stomachic;  Tonic. (1)

o   https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-138/milk-thistle

o   https://draxe.com/milk-thistle-benefits

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  other thistles, such as Bull and Field thistles

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: Green manure;  Oil from seed (1)

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Silybum+marianum
2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/thistle-touch-me-not-but-add-butter-2/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silybum_marianum
3. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2006/05/thistle-milk.html  (good photos)
4. http://www.ediblewildfood.com/milk-thistle.aspx (good photos)