Milk thistle is one of the oldest plants used in herbal medicine. The healing properties of this herb were appreciated by the ancient Romans, who used it as a means for liver regeneration.
Milk thistle
Another name for milk thistle is milk thistle. This name is associated with "milk", which follows from the "veins" of the plant, as well as its appearance resembling a thistle.
For medicinal purposes, mainly the fruits of milk thistle, i.e., elongated, hard kernels, are used. It is from their shell that medicinal substances are extracted. These seeds are difficult to break, so it is best to take them in a ground form. Milk thistle meal - oilcake obtained after separation of oils using organic solvents is also useful.
Milk thistle is known as the most effective natural product for the restoration of liver cells. This is confirmed by many scientific studies. Grass is used in case of jaundice, cirrhosis, fatty degeneration or inflammation of the liver.
Milk thistle is also used in case of mushroom poisoning, with psoriasis, gallstones, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. This product is easily available and inexpensive.
Milk thistle and its beneficial properties
The composition of milk thistle includes:
- silymarin (about 2-3%) - this is the name of a unique complex of flavolignans, consisting of silybin, isosilibine, silidianin, silychristin, taxifolin;
- phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol);
- flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, luteolin);
- oil (20-30%);
- protein (25-30%).
Milk thistle owes its useful properties to the content of silymarin in it (or rather, silybin). This substance, as an effective antioxidant, stimulates protein synthesis and protects cells from various injuries and mutations.
And what other medicinal properties of milk thistle are known in medicine? Here are the main ones:
- detox action - substances contained in a plant protect liver cells from toxins (for example, poisonous mushrooms, alcohol and drugs);
- activation of secretion of bile, and, consequently, the absorption of fats;
- stimulation of glutathione production.
Milk thistle and liver disease
"Silimarol", "Silymarin", "Silicinar" - these are drugs for the liver known from pharmacy shelves. Not surprisingly, their name is associated with silymarin. Each of them contains precisely this substance, obtained from the meal of milk thistle. Silymarin has healing properties and is used for most liver diseases. Due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, it restores the epidermis, protects and restores the liver. Silymarin prevents the onset and development of mechanisms responsible for the development of diseases such as hepatitis, steatosis or cirrhosis. It was found that in the case of even very advanced stages of liver disease, silymarin can inhibit their development.
Milk thistle and detoxification
Have you heard about an experiment using thistle and strong poison from mushrooms? It turned out that the extract from milk thistle blocks the action of this extremely toxic substance and thereby saves a person's life. In such difficult cases as fly agaric poisoning, an intravenous administration of a concentrated dose of silybin is used. A silibin concentrate called Legalon Sil is available for sale, the effectiveness of which in such cases has been confirmed by research. It was found that the overall mortality rate of patients treated with the drug, regardless of the severity of liver damage, is less than 10%. Unfortunately, this is a very expensive treatment. Legalon Sil is also used in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C.
Silymarin in combination with probiotics is useful after antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic therapy can have a negative effect on the functioning of the digestive system, and damages the liver. Studies confirm that silymarin inhibits the destruction of the liver and stimulates its regeneration. Preparations containing milk thistle extract are recommended for people who take potent synthetic drugs for a long time.
Milk thistle. Healthy, young skin
Silymarin cares not only about the health of the liver, but also about the health of the skin. Therefore, it is used in the manufacture of cosmetics such as creams and ointments. Silymarin protects the skin from toxic substances, as well as the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. It is ultraviolet radiation that is considered the main cause of sunburn, aging, and even skin cancer.
Obtained from the seeds of milk thistle, spotted silymarin, accelerates wound healing, has an antioxidant effect, and therefore can be useful in the treatment of many dermatological problems, including, for example, as the basis for the treatment of psoriasis.
Chest protection during chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used methods in the fight against cancer. Unfortunately, it brings with it serious side effects, for example, in the form of inflammatory processes of the liver and problems with its functioning. Milk thistle may also be useful in this case. Scientists from New York conducted a study in a group of 50 children with acute leukemia. At the beginning of the study, liver inflammation was revealed in all examined children (elevated values โโof the liver enzymes AST and ALT). Half of the participants received milk thistle drug over 28 days, and the second half received placebo. After this time, a group of children taking milk thistle showed a decrease in liver enzymes (lower AST) compared with children taking only placebo. This study has shown promising results, especially since milk thistle does not affect the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
The anti-cancer properties of milk thistle
Research results show that the extract of milk thistle fruit can have an antitumor effect. Silymarin activity has been proven in the treatment of cancer of the lungs, prostate, pancreas, kidneys and skin.
Silymarin milk thistle combined with curcumin may be effective in treating colon cancer. Both components show great effectiveness in therapy when taken together (the so-called synergism).
Milk thistle and type 2 diabetes
The use of milk thistle has a positive effect also in case of type 2 diabetes. This confirmed one of the studies that was conducted on a group of 51 patients with type 2 diabetes. The study lasted 4 months. Half of the participants received milk thistle extract (Silymarin 200 mg tablets 3 times a day), and the other half received placebo. The results of the study showed a significant decrease in HbA, as well as total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in the group of people who took milk thistle extract.
Milk thistle - in what form to take?
Many milk thistle preparations are on sale : extracts, tablets, tinctures. The advantage of these drugs is a concentrated dose of silymarin (the content of silymarin in the fruits of milk thistle is only 2-3%), as well as a higher bioavailability compared to whole fruits of milk thistle. But, despite this, the most popular product is whole, ground plant grains or chopped thistle meal. A spoonful of ground milk thistle grains can be regularly added to smoothies, juices or granola. Seeds contain far more valuable ingredients than just silymarin. Thistle whole grains are also minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and other nutrients.
Of course, with serious diseases such as cirrhosis, poisoning or liver damage, it is more likely that there will not be enough consumption of certain plant grains to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. In this case, preparations containing standardized extracts of silymarin in a concentration of 70-80% are better suited. But if you do not have special problems with the functioning of the liver, and you want to maintain it in good condition, you should regularly use the fruits of milk thistle to strengthen and improve the work of this body.
You can buy thistle fruits in many grocery stores and pharmacies without any problems.
Milk Thistle Tea
In addition to tablets, capsules, supplements and decoctions, milk thistle is available in the form of tea. Despite the fact that a cup of milk thistle tea is the smallest portion of what this plant is fraught with, it is still worth trying. It has a delicate, mild taste and perfectly replaces another cup of black tea. If desired, you can add a little honey to it.
Milk thistle oil
Spotted milk thistle oil is better to choose cold pressed, unrefined and to take it, of course, in its raw form. This product is great for dressing any salad.
Milk thistle oil can be taken orally and used for cosmetic purposes. It moisturizes and regenerates the skin well. When applied externally, it will help to cope with burns or other difficult to heal wounds. Its effectiveness has been proven in the treatment of purulent processes, eczema, bedsores, erythema, allergies. Milk thistle oil well restores brittle hair and nails.
For prevention, it is recommended to people who have contact with toxins every day, for example, work in harmful conditions. For internal use, it is recommended to drink 2-3 teaspoons of oil per day (in case of severe poisoning, higher doses are used). It has a slightly bitter, nutty taste and tan. Applying it externally, regularly apply compresses or rub oil into the affected areas of the skin. The effect will be observed in a few weeks.
Contraindications milk thistle and recommended precautions
In case of serious health problems and diseases, the possible use of milk thistle should be discussed with your doctor.
A doctor's consultation is recommended if the following drugs or their derivatives are used:
- Antipsychotic drugs - containing butyrophenones, such as Haloperidol and phenothiazines, Chlorpromazine, Promethazine.
- Phenytoin - drugs used in epileptic seizures.
- Halotan - drugs are used during general anesthesia.
- Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
Milk thistle can affect the action of the following drugs:
- fexofenadine antihistamines,
- tranquilizers - including alprazolam ("Xanax"), diazepam ("Valium") and lorazepam ("Ativan"),
- anticoagulants - to thin the blood.
Milk thistle should not be used in the treatment of acute poisoning.
Contraindications Milk Thistle:
- Medicines from the plant should not be taken by people who suffer from blockage of the bile ducts (in case of their increased secretion of bile it is dangerous).
- Due to the lack of sufficient data confirming the complete safety of use, milk thistle is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age. This also applies to women during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Milk Thistle: reviews
Most reviews of milk thistle are positive. The action of the herb is used to improve the function of internal organs. With prolonged use, most people report an improvement in digestion processes. Due to the improvement of liver function, the body is better cleansed, and thereby the appearance becomes more attractive. Most consumers buy ground milk thistle seeds or silymarin tablets.
Negative reviews about milk thistle are more likely the exceptions usually associated with its improper use. Some expect immediate results and improvements after the first use. Unfortunately, like any herbal remedy, taking milk thistle requires patience and regularity.