Explore the Health Benefits of Milk Thistle an Edible Flower
Milk Thistle is a multifaceted edible flower with highly beneficial medicinal nutrients and can be used for culinary purposes as well. Check out the origins and benefits of milk thistle all the while learning how to prep a great hydrated recipe from Margaret Roberts, her signature edible flower recipe, "Milk Thistle Flower Drink." With the beat of the heat, Florboxoxo has shared our favorite nutritional drink that will keep you cool all summer long!
Milk Thistle Flower Anatomy and Geographical Origins
Thistle (Cirisium vulgare) is named for the prickly leaves beneath the pink or purple flower heads. Thistle comes in many forms, although stemming from the genus Carduus family, are sourced from Europe to North America. It can often be mistaken for an intrusive weed with its weedy appearance. With medicinal benefits and culinary capabilities, this edible flower is far from a useless garden weed.
Thistle (Cirisium vulgare) represents independence, austerity, protection from distraction, habit breaking, spiritual desires, courage, inner strength, coping. - Flowerpaedia (2018)
Milk Thistle Flower Medicinal Benefits
Milk thistle has medicinal benefits in treating critical organs such as the liver, gall bladder, and gall stones. This plant is also great for helping with depression and anxiety as well. Because of the multiple benefits of milk thistle, it can also provide nutrients to these critical organs, especially post-chemotherapy.
Milk Thistle Flower Drink Recipe
This cleansing drink is great when paired with morning breakfast or after a nice work out session on the yoga mat! Do not let the "milk" label fool you, this listed edible flower recipe is a nutritious flower drink with a fruity tropical flavor. Margaret Roberts' signature milk thistle flower drink recipe is a simple quick to prep and perfect for nutritious hydration for your friends and family all summer long!
Ingredients (4 Servings)
4-6 milk flowers, roughly cut
1 liter unsweetened grape or apple juice
1 teaspoon aniseeds
1 teaspoon linseeds, lightly crushed
10 Lucerne flowers and buds
Ice and Iced water
Recipe (4 Servings)
Simmer milk thistle flowers and fruit juice with the lid on for 20 minutes. Add the aniseeds, linseeds, and Lucerne flowers and buds. Leave it covered and allow it to cool. Strain, discard the flowers and seeds, add a little iced water and serve with crushed ice. Add carrot juice with pineapple for a change. Sip slowly, Make it fresh daily.
Enjoy! - OXO
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Sources For This Article
Author - Naia Geni | Floral Designer | Senior Editor | @naiageni
Flowerpaedia (2018) | Cheralyn Darcey
100 Edible and Healing Flowers: Cultivating, Cooking, Restoring Health (2014) | Margaret Roberts
The field of poppy seed heads with petals, this edible flower can be used to decorate fruit salads; it can be baked in muffins or spiced brandy; the recipes are endless! Most poppies are found in the Northern Hemisphere, and amongst other species of poppies, this flower is cultivated as an ornamental or edible flower. Read More
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