🌀Māori Rongoa

Puha (Sow Thistle)

vegetable

Puha (Sow Thistle)

Sonchus oleraceus is a species of flowering plant in the tribe Cichorieae of the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Western Asia. It has many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, puha, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle, and soft thistle.

Conditions addressed

Digestive IssuesLiver SupportDetoxInflammationKidney Support

How to use

1–2 cups cooked or raw daily
  • Eat steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or raw in salads.
  • Lightly cooking increases digestibility.

Interactions & contraindications

Processed by the liver

Watch for: Any medication that is also processed by liver enzymes (ask your pharmacist — this includes many common prescriptions)

Can alter how quickly the body clears certain medications, raising or lowering their effective dose.

May have a diuretic effect

Watch for: Diuretic medications and lithium

Additive fluid loss can affect electrolyte balance and change how the body clears lithium.