Definition

Noun: 1. A tall Old World biennial thistle: A specific species of thistle plant (Silybum marianum), characterized by its large, glossy leaves with distinctive white veins or blotches, and purple flower heads. It is native to Mediterranean regions but has been introduced to other parts of the world, such as California and South America.

Usage Notes

• "Holy thistle" is primarily used as a common name for a specific plant in botanical, herbal, and agricultural contexts.
• It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• The term is often used interchangeably with its more common names, milk thistle and blessed milk thistle, especially in herbal supplement contexts.

Examples

• The field was overrun with holy thistle, its purple flowers standing out against the green.
• Herbalists have used extracts from holy thistle for centuries.
• Farmers consider holy thistle an invasive weed in some regions.

Advanced Usage

• In Herbalism/Phytotherapy: The term is used to refer to the plant as a source of herbal medicine. The seeds and leaves are used to make extracts, teas, and capsules.
  • The study focused on the potential liver-protective effects of holy thistle extract.

Variants and Related Words

• Milk thistle (n): The most widely used common name for the same plant ().
• Blessed milk thistle (n): Another common name, emphasizing its historical use in herbal medicine.
• St. Mary's thistle (n): A variant name referencing the Virgin Mary, linked to the legend that the white blotches on the leaves were caused by her milk.
• Silybum marianum (n): The formal botanical (Latin) name for the species.

Synonyms

• Milk thistle
• Blessed milk thistle
• St. Mary's thistle
• Marian thistle
• Lady's thistle

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Holy thistle seed: Refers specifically to the seeds of the plant, which are the primary part used in herbal supplements.
  • The capsule contains powdered holy thistle seed.
• Holy thistle extract: Refers to a concentrated liquid or powder derived from the plant.
  • She takes holy thistle extract for liver support.

Noun

1. tall Old World biennial thistle with large clasping white-blotched leaves and purple flower heads; naturalized in California and South America