In different regions, this plant has its own name - thorns, milk thistle, marin or silver tartar, milk thistle.
Useful properties of this plant have been identified in antiquity. Today they are confirmed by scientists who have studied the unique composition of this plant. We will tell you about the beneficial properties and contraindications of milk thistle, about how to use drugs based on it and their effects on the body in this article.
External features of milk thistle
The plant belongs to the family Asteraceae. Many of our readers have repeatedly seen it. This is one of the largest and most beautiful thistle species. A one or two year old plant reaches a height of 60 cm to 1.5 meters. A branched erect stem is covered with dark green or salad-colored leaves with silver-pearl spots.
At the edges of the leaves have long yellow spines. The inflorescences of the plant are large beautiful lilac baskets up to 6 cm in diameter. Milk thistle fruits are achenes of light brown, black or gray color. The leaves surrounding the basket are also “armed” with sharp thorns. Each achene has a crest, consisting of hairs twice the length of the achene. The seeds of the plant have a bitter taste.
Spread
Milk thistle grows in southern and central Europe, in Central Asia. In our country, the plant is widely distributed in the south of the European part and Western Siberia. The plant prefers to settle on abandoned lands, wastelands, along roads.
Chemical composition
The beneficial properties of milk thistle for the human body are due to its unique composition: it has over 200 nutrients. One of the main ones is silymarin, which is able to repair damaged liver cells. Beneficial substances are located in all parts of the plant, from flowers to roots. The thistle contains:
- macronutrients (iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium);
- vitamins of group D, B, K, E;
- trace elements (copper, boron, iodine, manganese, aluminum, phosphorus, zinc);
- fatty polyunsaturated acids;
- essential oils;
- fat-soluble vitamins (flavolignan, quercetin);
- biogenic vitamins (histamine, tyramine);
- silymarin;
- carotonoid.
The beneficial properties and contraindications of milk thistle are well understood today, and therefore the plant is widely used in both folk and traditional medicine.
Useful properties of the plant
It is difficult to overestimate the beneficial properties of milk thistle, which today is used in almost all areas of medicine.
- Toxicology. With success, milk thistle is used for chronic poisoning with drugs, alcohol, food, medications, followed by intoxication. Milk thistle is recommended for pregnant women with toxicosis, people who live in ecologically unfavorable regions. Not everyone knows that milk thistle is able to fight the poison of pale grebe.
- Hepatology. Useful properties of milk thistle for the liver allow the use of drugs based on it for the treatment of diseases such as liver dystrophy, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, provoked by toxins, radiation or alcohol.
- Cardiology. In this area of medicine, milk thistle is used as a prophylactic that strengthens blood vessels and heart muscle.
- Oncology. Milk thistle preparations are recommended for patients who have undergone chemo- or radiation therapy, as it is able to effectively purify the blood from radiation, heavy metals, radionuclides and toxins.
- Dermatology. The useful properties of milk thistle are successfully used in dermatology, thanks to its vitamin E, which has pronounced general strengthening and anti-inflammatory properties. Milk thistle preparations are effective in the treatment of such serious skin diseases as vitiligo, psoriasis, baldness, acne.
- Cosmetology. In cosmetology, the beneficial properties of milk thistle oil are most actively used. It is part of cleansing, rejuvenating, tonic, wound healing balms, ointments and creams.
Healing properties
It has many useful properties of milk thistle, and the use of medications based on it is indicated for many serious ailments. The thistle affects the human body as follows:
- relieves inflammation;
- is a hepatoprotector recommended for any liver disease;
- heals wounds and ulcers;
- reduces the synthesis of histamines:
- possesses antioxidant and epithelizing effects;
- is a prophylactic against malignant neoplasms;
- stimulates the immune system;
- removes toxic substances;
- has a choleretic and diuretic property;
- strengthens the body;
- accelerates the formation of estrogen.
All these parts of the plant possess these beneficial properties. But certain medicines are prepared from different types of raw materials, which are indicated for the treatment of various ailments.
Milk thistle root
Decoctions and alcohol tinctures are prepared from the roots of the plant. The raw materials are used in pharmacology: capsules and tablets are prepared from it. They are recommended in the treatment of diseases of the liver and stomach. In addition, they help with swelling of the limbs, cramps, poor outflow of urine and radiculitis.
Seeds
Traditional healers and representatives of traditional medicine are well aware of the beneficial properties and contraindications of milk thistle seeds. This is truly a unique raw material on the basis of which flour, powder and oil are prepared. The tool in any form is very effective in diseases of the liver and spleen, dysfunction of the digestive system. The active components contained in the seeds strengthen the walls of the capillaries, prevent the accumulation of salts.
Milk thistle oil
This valuable substance is obtained by cold pressing thistle. The useful properties of milk thistle oil are due to the presence in its composition of all substances contained in different parts of the plant. Preparations based on it are successfully used by traditional healers and doctors in the treatment of diseases of the gall bladder, stomach, and liver.
Milk thistle oil is famous for its wound healing and anesthetic properties, it is effective for allergic skin reactions. Oil can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared on your own. To do this, you need 5 teaspoons of crushed seeds pour 500 ml of olive oil. Place the mixture for a quarter of an hour in a water bath, and then insist for half an hour.
Milk thistle: beneficial properties and contraindications for women
In the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary sphere and reproductive function, this plant plays an important role for the woman's body. It is effective in the following diseases and pathological conditions:
- dysmenorrhea (painful periods);
- premenstrual syndrome;
- atrophy of the vaginal mucosa;
- cervical erosion;
- pain in menopause.
It is important to know that the beneficial properties of milk thistle for women and contraindications are closely related, therefore it is necessary to exclude self-medication in order to avoid negative consequences. Milk thistle is often used to reduce excess weight. For this purpose, use pure oil or gelatin-coated capsules. Plant natural fibers are not absorbed in the small intestine and do not dissolve. But at the same time, they absorb toxins, cholesterol, harmful substances and remove them from the body.
However, you must know that during treatment you should drink at least two liters of water daily. If this is not done, then milk thistle can cause persistent constipation. In addition, women should remember that milk thistle products are contraindicated during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. We should not forget about the individual intolerance of plant components.
In addition to treating gynecological diseases, women with the help of a “prickly doctor” successfully heal skin and hair. To do this, use decoctions, milk thistle meal, special lotions. To strengthen the hair, make a mask from a mixture of thistle oil and tea tree. After half an hour, the mask is washed off with water and shampoo.
Masks for problematic skin of the face based on plant oil are very effective. With acne and acne, dermatologists often recommend taking a powder made from seeds.
Milk thistle preparations
We talked about how different preparations are made from different parts of the plant. Below we will talk about some of them.
Infusion
The useful properties of milk thistle (reviews allow us to judge this) are perfectly revealed in this form of drugs. The infusion is indicated to restore the normal functioning of the liver, remove excess bile, and eliminate pain during joint diseases.
Put in a thermos tablespoons of powder from milk thistle seeds and fill them with 500 ml of boiling water. The drug is infused for 12 hours, after which it must be filtered and taken four times a day, 120 ml each.
Tincture
This tool is used in dermatology to treat many skin diseases. Pour 50 g of seeds with 500 ml of vodka and let it brew in a dark place for two weeks, periodically shaking the bottle. Strained tincture is taken 20 drops three times a day.
Decoction
Recommended for diseases of the pancreas, liver, kidneys. Boil 30 g of seeds in 500 ml of water over low heat until the volume of liquid is halved. Take this medicine in a tablespoon every hour for 21 days. Then you need to take a two-week break, repeat the course if necessary.
Syrup
In a pharmacy you can buy milk thistle syrup, which is recommended for use in diseases of the liver, spleen, and bile ducts. In addition, the syrup is effective in the treatment of gallstone disease, colitis, hemorrhoids, diseases of the respiratory system and heart. Take it 1 tablespoon three times a day.
The juice
Milk thistle juice relieves joint pain, favorably affects the work of the stomach and intestines, cleanses the skin, and normalizes metabolism. The juice is harvested during the period when the plant drives the flower arrow. Remove five large leaves and squeeze the juice from them. Juice is preserved at the rate of one liter per 50 ml of medical alcohol. The product should be stored in the refrigerator. Take it on an empty stomach in the morning for 1 tablespoon.
Milk thistle capsule extract
This is a ready-made drug that is sold in pharmacies without a prescription. The extract contains a large amount of flavonoids, which protect the liver from the negative effects of toxic substances. The extract restores the cells and functions of the liver. Take the extract in accordance with the instructions attached to the package.
Milk thistle tablets
The beneficial properties of milk thistle are fully preserved in tablet form. They are prescribed in the treatment of biliary tract diseases and functional tissue lesions.
Meal
This product is obtained after grinding the seeds of a plant and isolating them from them by cold pressing of milk thistle oil. The resulting powder is saturated with fiber, which perfectly stimulates the activity of the intestine.
Side effects and contraindications
Despite the many useful properties, this plant must be used very carefully and always under the supervision of doctors. The thing is that milk thistle contains a lot of calcium and phosphorus, which can create certain health problems. Caution should be taken when taking milk thistle for people who have problems with the heart and blood vessels, since phosphorus and calcium can cause a malfunction of the heart valve.
Milk thistle preparations are contraindicated in the following cases:
- individual intolerance;
- mental illness (including depressive states and epilepsy);
- shortness of breath, accompanied by asthma attacks.
Nursing mothers and pregnant women need to consult a doctor who will consider the feasibility of using such drugs. Milk thistle goes well with many medicines. Side effects are extremely rare, most often diarrhea or weak pulling pains in the right hypochondrium. Such symptoms, lasting more than two days, are a serious reason for stopping treatment.
Popular recipes: compress
Cut the thorns from the leaves, wash them well and grind them to a mushy state. Apply the resulting mixture to the wound and apply a tight dressing on top, change twice a day. Cuts, abrasions, scratches will heal in three days.
Decoction of radiculitis and arthritis
Dry crushed milk thistle roots (1 tablespoon) are poured into an enameled bowl with a glass of hot water. Then the product is put on low heat and boiled for 20 minutes. Hot broth is filtered through three layers of gauze and diluted with boiling water to the original volume. Take a decoction three times a day for 1 tablespoon. The broth can be used for urinary retention, and in the form of rinses - from toothache.
Poisoning Powder
The powder prepared from the seeds is consumed in 1 tablespoon up to five times a day to relieve symptoms of poisoning. In addition, it is indicated during radiation or chemotherapy, 1 dessert spoon four times a day. The powder is taken within 21 days.
Useful properties and contraindications of milk thistle: reviews
Most positive reviews are associated with the treatment of milk thistle. Patients claim that the drugs really effectively help get rid of problems that for many years caused a lot of discomfort. In addition, many note the effectiveness of milk thistle in intoxication, including alcohol.
Women note that milk thistle in a short time helped to improve the condition of the skin, migraines disappeared. In addition, the plant is successfully used for weight loss. Judging by the reviews, this is an effective aid in getting rid of excess weight, cleansing the body and removing toxins. True, not everyone notes the effect of weight loss.
Admittedly, not all reviews of this plant are positive. Some patients who took milk thistle medications felt nauseous, pain and indigestion.