Milk Thistle Health Benefits 

Preparations of milk thistle seed have been used for the treatment of liver diseases (cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis) and gallbladder disease and since antiquity. Milk thistle Seed is a potent detoxifying herb, rich in anti-oxidant properties that prevent free-radical damage. Milk thistle is also a gentle and mild laxative. Virtually all parts of the plant have been used as both food and medicine with virtually no reports of toxicity.

Milk Thistle

Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, is an important bioflavonoid that provides antioxidant activity. Both in vitro and animal research suggest that silibinin has properties that protect liver cells against toxins. Silymarin has been the subject of much research for its liver protective effects. It is widely recommended for anyone dealing with liver disease.

Silymarin is an exceptionally useful in today's world where the liver faces an onslaught from environmental pollution, medications, drugs, toxic food and infectious organisms. There is evidence that even very small doses of silymarin may offer some therapeutic value to liver cells.

Silymarin is used to help with cirrhosis of the liver, and the liver inflammation known as chronic hepatitis. It may also help to remove poisons from the liver, including certain poisons from poisonous mushrooms.

Milk Thistle Seeds

Milk thistle seeds have a low water solubility and bioavailability, so teas made from the seeds are weaker than milk thistle tinctures and extracts. An infusion or tea of milk thistle can be prepared by pouring a cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of seeds that have been ground to a fine texture. This is not one of the best ways to take milk thistle.

There is a problem with silymarin, in its natural state, silymarin is very poorly absorbed by the body. Most of it goes right through your system without being digested and absorbed.

The best way to take silymarin is in a form that contains beta-cyclodextrin or phosphatidylcholine (silipide), to make silymarin more water soluble. In this way, milk thistle becomes more bioavailable to your body and it does not go right through your system without being absorbed.

People who are allergic to daisies, artichokes, kiwi, common thistle or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle. There have been reports of anaphylactic shock in people who have used milk thistle. The safety of silymarin for pregnant or nursing women is unknown.

Milk Thistle Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Tribe: Cynareae

Genus: Silybum

Species: S. marianum

Binomial name: Silybum marianum

by Carol Branwen