English: A Carline thistle (Carlina spec.). See also > 909969 - 909975 - 909981. The carline thistle is a member of the Asteraceae family and native to Europe, north Africa and Asia. The plant has properties which are believed to relieve dyspepsia and gastrointestinal upsets and to stimulate bile flow and cleanse the liver of fatty deposits. An extract of its root, called Swedish Bitters, is still used as a gastrointestinal remedy. A tea made from the plant's root was used to soothe toothaches. According to folk tradition, the root extracts prepared with wine and water are good for washing out wounds and sores, and studies have indeed shown that the acetone extracts of carline thistle root have strong antibacterial activity.