Mystical thistle nurtures and heals.
In the pause between the luscious blooms of summer and the crisp brilliance of fall, I was delighted by this vivid trailside dab of color. The painted lady was kind enough to linger just long enough on this milk thistle flower for me to take her picture.
Many farmers consider milk thistle to be nothing more than an annoying weed – understandable since it can quickly take over a field. But this edible and healing weed has a mystical back story that gives it an air of mystery.
The species name “marianum” is thought to come from an ancient legend about the Virgin Mary fleeing to Egypt. Sheltering herself from the elements under the prickly leaves of the milk thistle plant while nursing the baby Jesus, some milk spilled onto the leaves and created the milky veins that are present in the plant.
“Butterflies are self-propelled flowers."
R.H. Heinlein
To the monarch butterfly, milk thistle (not to be mistaken for milkweed, the host plant of the monarch) offers a drink of sweet nourishment in the fall.
Magical or not, milk thistle has been used medicinally for centuries and thought to cure everything from liver disease to cancer. Today it is more commonly used as a tea or food supplement.
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