The healing properties of milk thistle (popularly called milk thistle) were discovered in ancient times. Due to the unique composition of this plant, which contains about 400 different active substances, it has a very wide range of effects on various systems and organs of the human body. In this article, we will find out what milk thistle is, the benefits and harms of this plant, its effects on the body, methods of use, and benefits over medicines.
Description
This plant, which belongs to the family Asteraceae, is one of the largest and most beautiful species of thistle. Therapeutic milk thistle is used for diseases of the intestines, stomach and liver. This plant has proven itself in the fight against gynecological and skin diseases, diseases of ENT organs, and pathologies of the heart.
What does it look like?
This 1- or 2-year-old plant reaches 150 cm in height (with proper cultivation, it can even exceed 2 meters).
The branched erect stem of this plant is clothed in light green or dark green leaves, mottled with pearl-silver spots. Leaves have yellow long spines along the edges.
Inflorescences are collected in small lilac baskets, the diameter of which reaches 6 cm. In this case, the thistle fruit is an achene of a light brown, gray or black shade. The leaves surrounding the basket are also equipped with a fairly sharp spine. Each achene has a crest of thin hairs that exceed 2-3 times the length of the achene. Seeds have no smell, but differ in a bitter aftertaste.
The properties
These medicinal herbs (milk thistle) have the following range of properties:
- epithelizing;
- anti-inflammatory;
- wound healing;
- antioxidant;
- antiulcer;
- hepatoprotective;
- immunomodulatory;
- choleretic;
- antitumor;
- anti-sclerotic;
- restorative;
- detoxification;
- laxative;
- lactogenic;
- diuretic;
- antiallergic.
How to use?
Milk thistle is taken in the form of infusion, broth, tea, powder, syrup, tincture, tablets. In addition, it may be included in some drugs.
Leaves
The leaves of this plant are used as a diuretic, mild laxative, diaphoretic, and choleretic agent.
Seeds
Milk thistle, the benefits and harms of which are described in this article, is used for diseases of the kidneys, liver, spleen and thyroid gland, and for food and alcohol poisoning. Also, seeds are an excellent prophylactic, which is indicated for use by residents of regions unfavorable in terms of ecology. Also, they need to be used by people who are involved in various harmful industries, as well as athletes with great physical exertion.
Infusion
This form of milk thistle preparations is suitable for removing bile, restoring liver function, and eliminating pain in joint diseases. For this, 2 tbsp. l seeds should be placed in a small thermos bottle and pour them with boiling water, after which this product should be infused for 12 hours, squeezed and consumed 130 ml 4 times a day.
Root
Milk thistle roots are mainly used in the treatment of such diseases:
- diarrhea;
- catarrh of the stomach;
- radiculitis;
- toothache;
- cramps
- urinary retention.
Tincture
This drug is widely used in dermatology in the treatment of various skin diseases. For this, 50 g of seeds need to be poured into 0.5 liters of vodka, insisted for 2 weeks (in a dark place), periodically while shaking. Ready tincture is taken three times a day for 20 drops.
Decoction
Milk thistle, the benefits and harms of which are caused by the abundance of various active substances in it, is also used for medicinal purposes in the form of a decoction. It is indicated for diseases of the pancreas, liver, and kidneys. It is also used in the treatment of cancer. To do this, 30 g of seeds need to be boiled over low heat in 0.5 l of pure water. A ready-made broth is applied every hour in a tablespoon (for example, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) for three weeks, after which a break is made for 2 weeks.
Syrup
The syrup of this plant is indicated for diseases of the biliary tract, liver, spleen. It is also prescribed for hemorrhoids, gallstone disease, colitis, respiratory and heart diseases three times a day for 1 tbsp. l
Herbal tea
Pharmaceutical herbal tea of the plant of milk thistle (instructions for it are attached in each pack) normalize the liver, improve digestion, give energy and strength. A tea bag is brewed with hot water, infused for only 10 minutes, after which it is drunk 3-4 times a day.
The juice
The juice of this plant improves the functioning of the digestive tract, relieves joint pain, cleanses the skin, normalizes metabolism, and also relieves inflammation. Milk thistle juice is harvested when this plant throws only a flower arrow.
Milk thistle extract
Milk thistle plant extract, the instructions for which are included in each pack, are a source of flavonoids that protect the liver from harmful substances and toxins. The extract helps restore liver and cell function.
Powder
The powder is prescribed for the treatment of atherosclerosis, psoriasis, various poisonings, liver diseases. It is necessary to use 1 tsp. this powder a maximum of 5 times a day for a month. Moreover, in severe and neglected cases, after a 2-week break, you need to repeat the treatment again.
Milk thistle tablets reviews
The tablet form of this plant is a storehouse of various useful compounds, vitamins and elements that are needed in the treatment of lesions of functional tissues, diseases of the biliary tract. It is interesting that the drug neutralizes toxins, and also removes free radicals from the body, while gently updating our cells.
Thistle meal
Milk thistle plant meal, the price of which is very affordable (about 70 rubles), is ground seeds, from which milk thistle oil was made using cold pressing . The powder obtained in this way is enriched in fiber, which cleanses the intestines, and also stimulates its functioning.
Oil
Milk thistle plant oil (the price of the drug is 100 rubles) has hepatoprotective, anti-burn and wound healing properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is often compared with sea buckthorn. It is used in the treatment of psoriasis, diabetes, eczema, liver disease, allergies.
Contraindications
Despite the practically absence of contraindications and the harmlessness of milk thistle, this plant should be used (like the rest of the medicinal herb) carefully, under the supervision of specialists. This is because milk thistle (the benefits and harms of the plant are described in this article) contains a huge amount of phosphorus and calcium, which in the future can lead to various problems in the human body. For example, you should be careful to take milk thistle for those who have heart disease, since phosphorus and calcium contained in the plant can provoke a malfunction of the heart valve.
Milk thistle is contraindicated in such cases:
- Mental illnesses, including epilepsy and depression.
- Individual intolerance (extremely rare).
- Shortness of breath, which can provoke attacks of suffocation.