Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

Silymarin, Marian thistle, St. Mary's thistle, Our Lady's thistle

Milk thistle is a spiny biennial growing to a height of 5 feet, with white-veined leaves and purple flower heads. Native to the Mediterranean, milk thistle grows wild throughout Europe and is widely naturalized in California and Australia. It thrives in open areas. It is also cultivated as an ornamental plant; it prefers a sunny position and self-seeds readily. The flower heads are picked in full bloom in early summer. Seeds are collected in late summer. Over the years several other plants have been referred to as milk thistles, but authorities now reserve that common name for this species. Also, it must not be confused with the blessed or holy thistle, which is Cnicus benedictus L., which is an entirely different plant, although the similarity of the religiously inspired common names is confusing.

The fruits of the milk thistle have been used for many years for a variety of conditions but especially for liver complaints. Its use can be traced back more than 2,000 years. Culpepper, the well-known 18th century herbalist, cited its use for opening "obstructions" of the liver and spleen and recommended it for the Favorable Effects of jaundice. Traditionally, milk thistle flower heads, boiled and eaten like artichokes, were useful as a spring tonic after the winter months when people had been deprived of fresh vegetables. They were also taken to increase breast-milk production, and were considered excellent for treating melancholia (Despair).

• Alcohol related liver problem
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Hepatitis
• Gallstones
• Psoriasis

Milk thistle seeds contain a bioflavonoid complex known as silymarin. The constituent is responsible for the medical benefits of the plant. Silymarin is made up of three parts: silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin. Silibinin is the most active and is largely responsible for the benefits attributed to silymarin.

For liver problem and impaired liver function, some doctors of natural a substance used in managing discofort suggest 420 mg of silymarin per day from an extract of milk thistle standardized to 70 - 80% silymarin content. According to research and clinical experience, improvement should be noted in about eight to twelve weeks. Once that occurs, intake is sometimes reduced to 280 mg of silymarin per day. This lower amount may also be used for Beneficial Effectsative purposes.

Milk thistle extract is virtually devoid of any side effects and may be used by most people, including pregnant and lactating women. In fact, it has been recommended as Favorable Effects for itching due to gallbladder function during pregnancy. Since silymarin stimulates liver and gallbladder activity, it may have a mild transient laxative effect in some individuals. This will usually cease within two to three days.