Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) belongs to the family Asteraceae of the phylum Anthophyta. It is an annual or biennial prickly herb, which can attain a height of 4 to 8 feet and is quite an invasive weed. It has been used for over 2,000 years for the medicinal treatment of a variety of ailments. It has been extremely popular in Europe as a tonic for the liver, one of the largest organs in the human body. The liver plays a critical role in maintaining good health.
Milk Thistle contains a flavanoid called silymarin, which has been shown to have a direct effect on liver cells. Numerous researches show that milk thistle enhances overall liver function, as well as stimulates the production of new liver cells. It also boosts the level of glutathione, the powerful antioxidant that is present in highest concentration in the liver.
As the name of this herb shows, it is an excellent promoter of milk secretions and is safe to be used by all breast feeding mothers. It is also claimed to increase the production and flow of bile from the liver and gall bladder and can also be used for gall bladder problems.
Use of Milk Thistle has the following benefits:
1. Rejuvenates the liver.
2. Increases the secretion and flow of bile used for the digestion of fats.
3. Good for people suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, and from poor liver functions.
4. It is also recommended for smokers and people exposed to pollutants at the work place.
5. It can also be used against mushroom poisoning.
Even if you do not have liver disease, milk thistle can work as a tonic to improve liver health and remove toxins from your body. Your liver is under assault ever day by the environmental pollutants of the modern age. The seeds of this plant are supposed to have highest concentration of silymarin. You can buy milk thistle capsules from health food stores and follow the instructions or you can also make an infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. This should be drunk 3 times a day or as needed.
If you like gardening, you can grow your own milk thistle in the garden. Young leaves of this herb can be used in salads, although they contain only traces of silymarin. However I will not advice you to grow them in your garden. In addition to the medicinal values, its seeds can be roasted, ground and used as a substitute for coffee.
Keep in touch with your physician and let him or her know what kind of herbs you intend to use. He or she can be your best guide, as they have an overall picture of your health.
Think green, go green and be healthy.
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