Milk Thistle

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Milk Thistle (silybum marianum)


Origin and Description

Milk Thistle is a plant which is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It can be tall, ranging anywhere from two feet to ten feet high when erect. It has a branched and furrowed stem and large throny green root-leaves, which are known for their milk-white veins. The flowers are red-purple in color, and show spiky small black shiny seeds which are crowned with feathery tufts. Each flower-head may produce almost 200 seeds.

Some of the other common names for milk thistle are marian thistle, our lady's thistle, holy thistle and wild artichoke.


Constituents & Actions

The active ingredient in the ripe seeds of the milk thistle is silymarin. Silymarin increases protein synthesis in cells of the liver, by increasing the activity of ribosomal RNA (an important molecule that helps carry out and control protein synthesis). It also induces the alteration of liver cellular membranes to stop absorption of toxins.

Milk thistle is a cholagogue, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, anti-oxidant, detoxifier, galactogogue, hepatic, nervine, stimulant and tonic. The part used most often for medicinal value are the ripe seeds.


Medicinal Uses

In the late 1500s, a well-respected herbalist named Gerard wrote that milk thistle was the best remedy that grows against all melancoly disease. The work melancoly is from the Greek, "black bile", which at that time referred to any liver or bilinary derangement. It has been used successfully throughout history for conditions of the liver and spleen.

Best known for its importance in the support and protection of the liver, milk thistle accelerates protein synthesis by liver cells. It stimulates this organ to produce SOD, a potent free-radical scavenger. Milk thistle can help in rejuvenating the liver when overcoming alcohol toxicity, especially cirrhosis. It is the main and most frequently used detoxifying herb for the liver, and is specific for the gall bladder, with significant anti-oxidant properties to prevent free-radical oxidation.

Milk thistle also reduces the effects of many toxins in the liver, including the toxins of the Amanita mushroom and carbon tetrachlorid (dry-cleaning fluid) poisoning. This herb protects the kidneys, and beneficial to those suffering with psoriasis.

This valuable herb also blocks allergic and inflammatory reactions. It is mucilaginous in nature, and increases immune response, eradicates infection and soothes inflamed tissues. It increases the production of T-lymphocytes and soluble proteins (interferon), therefore aiding the body's immune response.

Modern day toxins that may damage the liver and can be improved with milk thistle treatment are alcohol use, environmental contaminants, junk/fast foods, recreational drugs and prescription medications. Following are just some of the diseases and conditions which improve with milk thistle use:

  • Alcoholism
  • Blood pressure (high)
  • Cholera
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Depression
  • Epilepsy
  • Gallbladder congestion
  • Hepatitis
  • Jaundice
  • Kidney congestion
  • Liver congestion
  • Liver damage
  • Poisoning (toxins)
  • Psoriasis (skin disease)
  • Spleen congestion
  • Varicose veins