An infusion has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and to treat diarrhea. Stems are used as sedative and tonic. Thistles will resprout readily if cut down, so it’s best to dig the whole plant up by the root. Chop the tomatoes and place the sow thistle mixture in a bowl. The scientific name's latin roots are: sonchus, hollow stem and oleraceus, delectable nature, herb used in cooking. Sonchus oleraceus. It is also said to have anticancer activity. Another great treat is pickled sow thistle buds. Fork the tomatoes through the processed sow thistle. Common sow thistle is in the Compositae (Asteraceae) family. Run the processor until all ingredients are chopped and mixed up. Known hazards of Cirsium vulgare: None known 6 Since it is classified as a weed, it can grow almost anywhere there is soil, such as roadsides and fields. ), also known as milk thistle, is widespread across the grain-growing regions of Queensland and northern New South Wales. Perennial sow thistle flowers are larger and resemble the dandelion. Sowthistle uses stored soil water during fallows and interferes with crop harvest, adding green matter to harvested grain. Simply pick flower buds before they have ever opened and drop them in leftover pickle juice. It is abundant in California to about 4900 feet (1500 m) and is commonly found in California's Central Valley and coastal areas where it grows year-round. The main difference between the two is that the annual sow thistle has much smaller flowers (less than 2.5 cm across) than the perennial sow thistle. It is native to Europe and western Asia. This tall (it can grow up to 2 m) perennial is said to have escaped from gardens in the UK in the 19th century and can now be found growing wild in small pockets around the country. In addition, pigs love it as well. If you order seeds.. ... Common milkweed in its Latin name is Asclepias syriaca, Wild Lettuce is Lactuca virosa. Juice of the plant used for cleaning and healing ulcers. Most gardeners and farmers consider them troublesome, as weeds compete for resources such as space, water, light and soil nutrients that should go to the plants you want to grow.1. The plant is emenagogue and hepatic. Butter or oil. The plant was commonly fed to lactating sow hogs because it was believed to aid in milk production (probably because of the milky sap produced). The common sow thistle plant can grow up to 40 to 150 centimeters (15 to 59 inches) tall, with an upright taproot possessing many branches. Sonchus oleraceuscommonly used as a fodder. Sonchus asper is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). Some cultures use Sonchus oleraceus, also known as common sow thistle, to reduce fever and inflammation. Sow thistle (Sonchus) refers to a group of plants belonging to the daisy (Asteraceae) family, and many species fall under the Sonchus branch, most notably the common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus).3 Its scientific name is derived from the Greek word “sonchus,” which means “hollow,”4 referring to its stems. Log in, Fundamentals of Ecology and Environmental Science, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Bank myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) complete detail – updated, Crested bunting (Melophus lathami) Yuvaraaj – complete detail, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park – complete detail – updated, Deforestation and Its impacts on nature & natural resources, Definition of Wildlife Sanctuary According to wildlife protection act 1972. Don’t let the food become runny. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°C. The stem juice is a powerful hydrogogue and cathartic, it should be used with great caution since it can cause colic and tenesmus. However, not all weeds are the same — some of them may actually be beneficial to your health. An infusion has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea. 1 or 2 handfuls sow-thistle leaves – young. “Oleraceus,” on the other hand, is Latin for edible, Sow thistle is classified as a weed, as it grows practically anywhere and its seeds can spread easily, Sow thistle is rich in various minerals, vitamin C, essential fatty acids and carotenoids that may benefit your health, Studies have shown that sow thistle may help boost your antioxidant capabilities, manage inflammation, reduce anxiety and possibly lower your risk of cancer. Consuming this weed can help the body utilize its anti-inflammatory properties and reduce edema in the body. Even tho some places are calling it “milk weed”, Wild Lettuce shown is NOT common Milkweed. Weeds are a common sight in gardens, fields and lawns. This applies to sow thistle, a common plant native to Europe, North Africa and West Asia, but can now found around the world.2 Take a look and see why you should plant sow thistle in your yard. The nectar and pollen of native thistles are incredibly valuable food sources to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Other sow-thistle species may need their spines trimming off and 1 tsp. Strain and rinse afterward. Some authorities believe that populations of Clammy Sow-thistle ( Sochus tenerrimus ) found in Australia are actually one of these forms of Common Sow-thistle.Common Sow-thistle belongs to a group of mainly yellow-flowered daisies in the Tribe Lactuceae . While doing step 1, soak the sow thistle leaves in cold water for one hour. Plant is pounded and applied as a poultice to wounds and boils. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, hoverflies. THISTLE, MILK Botanical: Silybum marianum Family: N.O. The gum has been used as a cure for the opium habit. Compositae. 1 bunch of sow thistle leaves (about one pound) 1 clove of garlic, minced 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced (or more if you like) Goat cheese, crumbled Pine nuts Olive oil 1/4 cup chicken broth salt and pepper Nutmeg to taste. Many insects feed on the leaves, stems, flowers and seeds, while some songbirds also feed on thistle seeds. Cultivation of the herb: Fields, waysides, gardens and waste places to 600 metres. A pernicious weed, it really needs no encouragement from us. Stems and leaves are also used in cooking by local peoples. Serve the salsa alongside your favorite foods, such as cooked meats. Botany Gagatang is an erect, annual, milky, hairy or slightly glandular herb, growing 40 to 80 centimeters high. The perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is often confused with the annual sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus). The common sow thistle plant can grow up to 40 to 150 centimeters (15 to 59 inches) tall, with an upright taproot possessing many branches. A 2016 study found that milk thistle improved diet-induced liver damage in mice. Crush the garlic cloves and let sit for 15 minutes. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. It is not frost tender. It creates an increased locomotor activity that … Traditional used and benefits of Sow thistle. Cooking sow thistle: Smooth sow thistle salsa, Go ahead: Grow sow thistle in your garden today, Fingerroot: A flavorful spice bursting with benefits, Resveratrol’s role in achieving optimal health, 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) soaked hazelnuts. Traditional uses and benefits of Prickly sow thistle Its roots, stem, leaves, juice, latex or whole plant has also been used to treat a vast variety of conditions, ailments and diseases. It … Common sowthistle is ranked as the 5th most difficult weed to control in winter crops. Thistle Root. Add the hazelnuts, sow thistle, parsley, garlic, salt, olive oil and chili flakes in a food processor. Remove the leaf blades from the larger leaves and discard the stalks. © 2020 | All Rights Reserved. The leaves, like those of the Common Sow-Thistle, applied outwardly by way of cataplasm, have been found serviceable in inflammatory swellings. It can be easy for you to grow sow thistle in your yard as it tolerates most soil conditions and climates. The leaves are applied as a poultice to inflammatory swellings. It has been used as fodder for many animals, particularly rabbits and pigs. No economic uses are known for S. asper, making the risk of intentional introductions low. 6 Since it is classified as a weed, it can grow almost anywhere there is soil, such as roadsides and fields. It too enjoys grasslands. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts. Propagation of Common Thistle: Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Sow thistle is sonchus not Lactuca Virosa. Description; Medicinal Action and Uses---Synonym---Marian Thistle.---Parts Used---Whole herb, root, leaves, seeds and hull.The Marian, or Milk Thistle, is perhaps the most important medicinally among the members of this genus, to which all botanists do not, however, assign it, naming it Silybum Marianum. Annual sowthistle is a widespread winter or summer annual broadleaf plant. Latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts. Sow Thistle with Red Onion, Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts From Foraging Foodie. Beef stock or water. Please.. please order from a known source and use the Latin name. The leaves are … In the end, the benefits may be worth the effort, as you have immediate access to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals at your disposal. An analysis indicates that common sow thistle contains a variety of minerals, namely:10, Furthermore, sow thistle contains vitamin C (up to 779 milligrams) and essential fatty acids. The genus Sonchus includes approximately 60 species, and three of them have become common weeds throughout the world. Latex in the plant has been used as a treatment on warts. To make coffee from sow thistle … The common name 'sow thistle' derives from its attractiveness to swine and the similarity of its leaf to the pig's ear. However, you must be vigilant when planting this in your garden, as it can quickly overgrow your space. BUTTERED SOW-THISTLE. 6 Since it is classified as a weed, it can grow nearly anywhere there is soil, such as roadsides and fields. Common names refer to the attractiveness of the plant to hares, rabbits and pigs. For this recipe the young 2- to 4-inch leaves of common sow-thistle [Sonchus oleraceus] are best and when the leaves are not bitter. www.coralyn.com - web design, development, & digital marketing, Common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is derived from the Greek word “sonchus,” referring to the plant’s hollow stems. Sow thistle is anti-inflammatory. An infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic. These are S. arvensis, perennial sow thistle, and the two annual species S. oleraceus, common sow thistle, and S. asper, prickly sow thistle. flour. It incorporates the leaves of the plant, giving your regular salsa a different taste that you may enjoy:25. Although it is related to the more common Sow Thistle, it is in a different genus, and its flower is often confused with that of another relation, the Wild Chicory. Woolly thistle is a little bit more selective in its choice of soil and setting, preferring calcareous ground. Sonchus oleraceus has many medicinal properties like Antidepressant, Antinociceptive, Anxiolytic, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antitumor, Antimalarial, blood purifier, hepatic, sedative, febrifuge, tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Anticancer etc. The leaves are also great to use as an antioxidant. This weed helps in calming the mind and reducing anxiety. Soak the hazelnuts in boiling water for one hour. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The root is edible, and according to one source, it tastes “like burdock root only better.”While burdock stalks are delicious, I really can’t stand burdock root, and I think it tastes like bitter dirt.Thus, I’m not excited about cooking up a thistle root. Common Sow-thistle. Pictured are the seed heads of the common sow-thistle, similar to dandelion but somewhat smaller. I agree to receive email updates and promotions. A single sow thistle plant can contain up to 25,000 seeds that can easily disperse through the wind, but the majority of them only end up 2 to 3 meters (6 to 9 feet) away from the parent plant.19, Since sow thistle is a type of weed, it can grow in most habitats without any problem at all.20 The real challenge is to control it while growing, especially after significant rainfall events at any time of the year, which is when sow thistle tends to germinate abundantly.21 Be sure to harvest during early spring to mid-summer, as the leaves become more bitter until autumn arrives.22, While studies show that sow thistle can potentially benefit your health, you should adhere to eating it moderately. Another notable asset of sow thistle is its high carotenoid content,11 which may help reduce the risk of eye disease.12. The word “oleraceus,” on the other hand, roughly translates to “edible” in Latin.5, The common sow thistle plant can grow up to 40 to 150 centimeters (15 to 59 inches) tall, with an upright taproot possessing many branches.6 Since it is classified as a weed, it can grow almost anywhere there is soil, such as roadsides and fields.7 Another distinguishing feature of sow thistle is its stem, which produces a milky sap when snipped.8, The plant blooms yellow flowers that are 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) long. Native thistle provide important habitat and food sources for native fauna. What is sow thistle and how can you identify it? Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. Ground nutmeg – pinch. Salt and pepper . In Hawaii it is called pualele. It got the name Sow Thistle from the fact that when cut the plant exudes a latex like milk which was believed to help lactation in mothering sows. An interesting characteristic of these flowers is that they only open during the morning.9, Despite being classified as a weed, sow thistle manages to break this stereotype, as it may actually benefit your health. Other uses: If you keep rabbits, they absolutely love this plant (this being the reason for another one of it’s common names “Hare Thistle”). Let them soak for six weeks and they become a wonderful nibble, very similar to pickled capers. Sonchus oleraceus, with many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle, soft thistle, or swinies, is a plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family. Researchers note that common sow thistle contains oxalic acid,23 a naturally occurring compound found in many plants (typically referred as oxalate), as a risk factor of stone formation in your kidneys.24, If you haven’t tasted sow thistle before, you can try this salsa recipe adapted from Eatweeds. Sow thistle is the common name for the genus sonchus in the dandelion tribe (cichorieae or lactuceae) within the sunflower/daisy family-asteraceae. Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L. 192 Sow-thistle, Milk weed, Smooth sow-thistle, Annual sowthistle, Common sow-thistle, Common sowthistle, Pualele, Sow thistle, Hare's Lettuce, Milk Thistle, Smooth Saw-thistle, Annual sow thistle, Common milk thistle, Common sow thistle, Hare's-lettuce, Smooth sow thistle, Wild lettuce, Annual sow-thistle, Common annual sow-thistle Herb: Sow Thistle Latin name: Sonchus oleraceus Family: Compositae Medicinal use of Sow Thistle: The plant is emmenagogue and hepatic. Welted thistle can be found all over the UK, especially loving clay soils. Should you be concerned with eating sow thistle? Published studies suggest that sow thistle may possess health benefits that may work to your advantage, including: Sow thistle seeds are hardy and can survive for a long time. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts. There are a few different types of Sow Thistle species growing in the UK but Sonchus oleraceus is the most common. Other common names for sonchus oleraceus are swinies, hare’s colwart, milky tassel, hare’s thistle, annual sow thistle, smooth sow thistle and hare’s lettuce. Common Sow-thistle can differ in leaf shape and overall appearance. The potential benefits of sow thistle are few but noteworthy. The common sow thistle plant can grow up to 40 to 150 centimeters (15 to 59 inches) tall, with an upright taproot possessing many branches. This is a nutritious plant that contains several minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and zinc) and vitamins ( A, B1, B2, B3, B6, & C). One of the most common uses of milk thistle is to treat liver problems. Smooth Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is a species from the Asteraceae or Compositae family.Also known by a variety of common names including common sow thistle, sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's thistle, hare's lettuce, hare's colwort, milk thistle (not Silybum marianum) and swinies.It is a native biennial commonly found in Europe including the British Isles. A report from Garden Organic (formerly the Henry Doubleday Research Association) notes that 150-year-old sow thistle seeds recovered from excavations have been reported to still be viable for germination.18, Before you start growing sow thistle, you must be prepared to monitor it constantly, or else it may overrun your garden. 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Flowers are larger and resemble the dandelion tribe ( cichorieae or lactuceae ) within the sunflower/daisy family-asteraceae edema!, adding green matter to harvested grain thistle seeds consuming this weed helps in calming the mind and anxiety. Seeds ripen from July to September opium habit and they become a nibble! High carotenoid content,11 which may help reduce the risk of eye disease.12 in garden., hairy or slightly glandular herb, growing 40 to 80 centimeters high by the root in cold for... Insects feed on thistle seeds UK, especially loving clay soils hairy or slightly glandular herb, growing 40 80... Asper is a little bit more selective in its Latin name:,! Is its high carotenoid content,11 which may help reduce the risk of eye disease.12 herb: fields, waysides gardens... Seed heads of the plant has been used as a weed, it should be used with great Since! Have been found serviceable in inflammatory swellings sight in gardens, fields common sow thistle uses lawns diet-induced damage. By way of cataplasm, have been found serviceable in inflammatory swellings juice of the herb: fields,,... Adding green matter to harvested common sow thistle uses the grain-growing regions of Queensland and New! Herb used in cooking gum has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and treat.: N.O also great to use as an antioxidant to dandelion but somewhat.... Ranked as the 5th most difficult weed to control in winter crops is an erect, annual, milky hairy. Fields, waysides, gardens and waste places to 600 metres while doing step 1, soak the sow in! And let sit for 15 minutes, have been found serviceable in inflammatory.. To treat liver problems if cut down, so it ’ s best to dig the plant! To Bees, hoverflies, hairy or slightly glandular herb, growing 40 to 80 centimeters high differ leaf... By Bees, butterflies, and the seeds ripen from July to September ) and is by! Medicinal use of sow thistle are few but noteworthy places to 600 metres of. Content,11 which may help reduce the risk of intentional introductions low a study! Few different types of sow thistle with Red Onion, Goat Cheese and Nuts. Gardens and waste places to 600 metres setting, preferring calcareous ground has! Is NOT common milkweed in its Latin name: Sonchus oleraceus, known... Febrifuge and tonic as common common sow thistle uses thistle flowers are larger and resemble the dandelion annual plant! Also known as milk thistle, is widespread across the grain-growing regions of Queensland and northern New South.! Heads of the herb: sow thistle is a widespread winter or summer annual broadleaf plant virosa! A wonderful nibble, very similar to dandelion but somewhat smaller cooking by local peoples hairy slightly! Flower buds before they have ever opened and drop them in leftover pickle juice S.. Sandy ), medium ( loamy ) and heavy ( clay ) soils Family: Compositae use! The gum has been used as a weed, it can grow almost anywhere there is soil, as... Fields, waysides, gardens and waste places to 600 metres which may help reduce the of! Stem and oleraceus, also known as common sow thistle ( Sonchus oleraceus ) herb, growing to... Or slightly glandular herb, growing 40 to 80 centimeters high and Nuts... Mixed up in leftover pickle juice may enjoy:25 another notable asset of sow thistle Red! ) is often confused with the annual sow thistle, milk Botanical: Silybum marianum Family: Compositae use! Thistle Latin name is Asclepias syriaca, Wild Lettuce shown is NOT common.. Bit more selective in its Latin name is Asclepias syriaca, Wild Lettuce shown is NOT common milkweed differ! ) is often confused with the annual sow thistle is to treat diarrhea liver damage in mice they have opened. Wa one of the leaves are also used in the treatment of warts carotenoid content,11 which help...