what can you use thistle for

7 Science-Based Benefits of Milk Thistle

Full Answer

Could milk thistle help with weight loss?

Silymarin, a compound found in Milk thistle is immensely helpful in controlling the blood sugar, this directly prevents body to gain extra weight. Several studies conducted on Milk thistle and it’s benefits have found that Milk thistle could be a great approach in the weight loss.

Does milk thistle help your liver?

There is extensive evidence to show that milk thistle improves liver function and may even increase survival in some patients. The herbs anti-fibrotic properties help to prevent scarring in the liver tissues and reverse the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.

Is blessed thistle the same as milk thistle?

Though they both belong to the same family Astearaceae, they have different botanical names. The botanical name of Milk Thistle is Silybum marianum, whereas the botanical name of Blessed Thistle is Cnicus benedictus. 1. What is the appearance and odour of this Organic Lion’s Mane Powder?

Does milk thistle help the kidneys?

However, milk thistle does not seem to benefit all patients with liver disease when those without cirrhosis are also considered. Kidney disease in people with diabetes. Early research shows that taking silymarin, a chemical found in milk thistle, together with conventional treatment might help treat kidney disease in people with diabetes.

What can you do with thistles?

The stems can be peeled and then steamed or boiled. I loved them raw, harvesting the stalk of the advanced plants before they go to flower. The tap roots can be eaten raw or cooked, also of young thistles that have not flowered yet. The dried flowers are a rennet substitute for curdling milk.

Are thistle good for anything?

Native thistle provide important habitat and food sources for native fauna. The nectar and pollen of native thistles are incredibly valuable food sources to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Many insects feed on the leaves, stems, flowers and seeds, while some songbirds also feed on thistle seeds.

Is thistle poisonous to humans?

Health Risks: Entire plant is highly toxic to humans and livestock, causing vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, and spasms.

How do you use thistle as a medicine?

Milk thistle is taken by mouth most often for liver disorders, including liver damage caused by chemicals, alcohol, and chemotherapy, as well as liver damage caused by Amanita mushroom poisoning, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis.

How do you prepare thistle to eat?

Leaves can be eaten, simply take a pair of scissors and cut around the leaf cutting off the spikes, then cut out the central vein with a steep 'v' shaped cut. The veins are more bitter and tough to eat. Cook the leaves and peeled stems well until soft (after spikes and veins cut out) like cabbage in salty water.

Can you eat raw thistle?

The tender inside, thus revealed, is delicious raw and even better when cooked lightly. The best thistle stalks are juicy and crisp with a mild flavor. Try them lightly steamed with a dash of salt or with pasta as in the recipe here.

What part of a thistle is edible?

In addition to the root, the stems are edible, when peeled. However, the thistle contains inulin, which gives some people digestive issues.

Can you eat thistle weeds?

Just strip the green off the leaf leaving the very edible midrib. Rub the “wool” off and enjoy, raw or cooked. All thistles in the genus Cirsium, and the genus Carduus, are edible. Or said another way, there is no poisonous true thistle, but not all of them are palatable.

Is thistle a medicinal plant?

The biennial plant of the family Asteraceae, Onopordum acanthium L., also known as Scotch thistle, is used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and cardiotonic agent.

What is thistle tea good for?

The most studied benefit of milk thistle is its potential to promote liver health. Some studies suggest the plant may help with management and treatment of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and liver injuries caused by drugs or toxins ( 9 ).

Can Milkthistle cause weight gain?

Milk thistle and silymarin are generally well tolerated in adults with only mild side effects such as diarrhea, headache, and skin reactions. Mothers taking milk thistle to increase milk supply reported weight gain, nausea, dry mouth and irritability occasionally.

What happens to your body when you take milk thistle?

Taken in appropriate doses, oral use of milk thistle appears to be safe. Milk thistle can cause: Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating.

What happens if you eat thistle?

Plants frequently grow to five feet tall and prefer plenty of sun. In addition to the root, the stems are edible, when peeled. However, the thistle contains inulin, which gives some people digestive issues.

Why are thistles a problem?

If left unchecked, it can form very large infestations, choking out valuable pasture species as well as weeds. In such dense infestations, it can form impenetrable stands and provide shelter for pest species such as rabbits. Variegated thistle is poisonous under certain conditions.

Are thistles good for nature?

Thistles provide a succession of micro-environments and food for a range of birds such as siskin and insects feeding on green leaves, flower heads, dead heads and stems.

What is thistle tea good for?

The most studied benefit of milk thistle is its potential to promote liver health. Some studies suggest the plant may help with management and treatment of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and liver injuries caused by drugs or toxins ( 9 ).

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use this product if you are allergic to milk thistle or if you have: 1. past or present cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovary; or 2...

How Should I Take Milk Thistle?

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in t...

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra milk thistle to make up the missed dose.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Milk Thistle?

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Milk Thistle Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue,...

What Other Drugs Will Affect Milk Thistle?

Do not take milk thistle without medical advice if you are using a medication to treat any of the following conditions: 1. any type of infection (i...

Why is milk thistle so popular?

Milk thistle is often promoted for its liver-protecting effects.

What is milk thistle?

Milk thistle is an herbal remedy derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum. This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional stories say were caused by a drop of the Virgin Mary’s milk falling onto its leaves. ).

What are the active ingredients in milk thistle?

The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as silymarin ( 1 ).

Is milk thistle good for bone loss?

As a result, researchers suggest that milk thistle may be a useful therapy for preventing or delaying bone loss in postmenopausal women ( 24, 25 ).

Can milk thistle be used for Alzheimer's?

They are seen in very high numbers in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, meaning that milk thistle could potentially be used to help treat this difficult condition ( 21. Trusted Source. ).

Can milk thistle extract help with liver disease?

Trusted Source. ). And although milk thistle extract is commonly used as a complementary therapy for people with liver diseases, there’s currently no evidence that it can prevent you from getting these conditions, especially if you have an unhealthy lifestyle.

Does milk thistle help with cancer?

Trusted Source. ). In fact, it has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, promote breast milk production, prevent and treat cancer and even protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons. Here are 7 science-based benefits of milk thistle. 1.

What Is Milk Thistle Used For?

People have traditionally used milk thistle for problems with the liver and gallbladder . Experts believe silymarin is the primary active ingredient of the herb. Silymarin is an antioxidant compound taken from milk thistle seeds. It’s unclear what benefits, if any, it may have in the body, but it’s sometimes used as a natural treatment for things including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders.

Where is Milk Thistle native to?

Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle.

Can Milk Thistle Help People With Diabetes?

Medical research suggests that milk thistle, combined with traditional treatment, can improve diabetes. Studies have shown a decrease in blood sugar levels and an improvement in cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.

What Are the Risks of Taking Milk Thistle?

Risks. Milk thistle can trigger allergic reactions. People who are allergic to artichokes, kiwi, ragweed, daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums are at higher risk. People who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with a doctor before using milk thistle. While milk thistle has been traditionally used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, its safety is unknown. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using milk thistle. Milk thistle is not recommended for children.

Is milk thistle safe for children?

While milk thistle has been traditionally used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, its safety is unknown. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using milk thistle. Milk thistle is not recommended for children. Side effects. Milk thistle seems to have few side effects, even when taken for several years.

Does milk thistle lower cholesterol?

By lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, milk thistle may lower the chance of developing heart disease. But studies on heart benefits have only been done in people with diabetes. People with diabetes often have high cholesterol. It’s unclear if milk thistle has the same effects in people without diabetes.

Can milk thistle be used for any condition?

The best doses of milk thistle have not been established for any condition it may be used to treat. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it very hard to establish a standard dose. Ask your doctor for advice.

What is milk thistle?

Milk thistle is a plant also known as Artichaut Sauvage, Cardo Lechoso, Cardui Mariae, Carduus marianus, Chardon Argenté, Chardon de Marie, Épine Blanche, Holy Thistle, Lady's Thistle, Lait de Notre-Dame, Legalon, Marian Thistle, Mariendistel, Mary Thistle, Shui Fei Ji, Silibinin, Silybe de Marie, Silybum, Silymarin, and other names.

What to do if milk thistle is not working?

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with milk thistle does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product.

What other drugs will affect milk thistle?

Do not take milk thistle without medical advice if you are using a medication to treat any of the following conditions:

Can milk thistle be taken with a ragweed allergy?

an allergy to plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies. Before taking milk thistle, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical conditions, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Milk thistle may not be recommended in ...

Is milk thistle good for heartburn?

Milk thistle has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating heartburn, or seasonal allergy symptoms. Milk thistle may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat these conditions.

Is milk thistle a regulated product?

Milk thistle is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs.

Can milk thistle be taken with prescription drugs?

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with milk thistle, including pre scription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.

What is the last part of thistle?

The last part of the thistle remaining is the flower . The thistle I originally harvested hadn’t bloomed yet, so I waited a few more weeks and found another thistle in full bloom.

How tall does a bull thistle get?

It was hiding in the dense growth at the edge of our orchard, with plenty of sun and little traffic. Given the opportunity, a bull thistle can grow to 5 feet tall, and send out multiple flower stalks.

How long are thistle spikes?

Next up is the thistle leaves. To eat thistle leaves, all the spines need to be removed. Take a look at those spikes, most of them are about 1 cm long and surprisingly rigid. They’re quite thin, so you’d think they’d be weak and flexible, but not exactly.

Can bull thistle tea help with bowel pain?

It’s also been used to treat other inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome. The case study describes multiple cases where patients were not able to stand due to joint pain but were able to regain function after drinking a tea made from the leafy parts of bull thistle several times per day.

Does thistle help with arthritis?

Beyond its use as a water source, thistle is well known for its ability to treat swelling of joints and tendons. I was pretty impressed by reading a paper by the American Herbalists Guild that describes its use for joint issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, especially in children. It’s also been used to treat other inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome.

Is thistle good for water?

Since water’s not exactly limited here in Vermont it hadn’t occurred to me. Beyond its use as a water source, thistle is well known for its ability to treat swelling of joints and tendons.

Is thistle edible?

A bit of research reveals that every part of thistle is edible so long as you can get past the thorns. It’s time to put that theory to the test and see how thistle tastes.

What is Scotch thistle used for?

Scotch thistle is a plant. It is used as medicine.

What is the purpose of the CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION?

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances.

Does scotch thistle kill bacteria?

Some chemicals in scotch thistle might kill bacteria or reduce swelling ( inflammation ).

Is it safe to take Scotch thistle by mouth?

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Scotch thistle is safe or what the side effects might be.

What Is Thistle?

Although thistle is technically a herbacious plant of the daisy family, it’s also classified as a Noxious Weed in many states, meaning it’s harmful enough to warrant government-regulated control. The most common thistle species, Canadian or creeping thistle ( Cirsium arvense ), is a lawn weed found throughout the U.S.

How to grow thistle in a garden?

Plant prolifically. Thistle seedlings germinate in empty, unshaded soil. Pulling them may leave a portion of root behind, which will re-sprout in time . In your flower or vegetable garden, plant densely around the thistle. As your chosen plants mature, their shade ultimately weakens and kills the sun-loving baby thistle weeds.

How to get rid of thistle roots?

However, it is an effective way to remove larger plants. Use a sharp weeding tool to get down into the soil, removing root along with the plant as best you can. Manual weeding tools are effective for single plants, but don’t make the mistake of hand weeding an entire lawn.

How many seeds does a thistle plant produce?

That innocent-looking thistle flower matures into a seed-producing machine. Each can produce between 1,500 and 5,000 seeds that take wind and populate. Once seeds land in your lawn or garden and germinate, they send out spreading roots (rhizomes), which can extend up to 20 feet away from the plant, and many feet deep, in the right conditions.

How long does thistle live?

Being a perennial, thistle can live for many years. Seedlings and new plants are easiest to kill, but take heart: There’s hope for beating mature ones as well. Stick with it to get rid of thistle for good.

How to use horticultural vinegar?

Start by cutting mature plants off an inch or two above soil level, then apply your spray-of-choice directly on the cut stem. Following are two reliable options. (Whichever you choose, always read and follow label instructions.) Horticultural vinegar (30%) provides effective, fast-acting, organic treatment.

Does sniping kill thistle?

In lawns, snip small thistle at the soil level. While mowing prevents it from maturing, it does not kill it. Snipping must be done regularly to eventually weaken and kill the small plant. (This is for the random thistle, not a large infestation.)

How to get rid of thistle?

Combining a selective weed killer with competing plants is one of the most efficient combos when it comes to getting rid of thistle. Don’t assume that your weed killer isn’t working if the thistles grow back after you’ve killed the visible plants off with your weed killer.

How to keep thistles from sprouting?

1. Perennial grass crops like alfalfa will keep thistles from getting nutrients. Growing alfalfa is hands-down the best choice here, since alfalfa starts soaking up nutrients in the soil before thistles even sprout. Growing grasses of any kind in the area around your thistles will have a similar effect, though.

What to do when thistles are dead?

Once the thistles are dead, throw on some gloves, pick up any remaining plant matter, and stuff it in a garbage bag. Throw the thistles out along with the rest of your trash.

How to grow grass around thistles?

Growing grasses of any kind in the area around your thistles will have a similar effect, though. Spread your seeds in the soil surrounding your thistles and gently rake the area. Use a roller or cultipacker to compress the soil and seeds together. Water the area thoroughly and continue to water 3-4 times a day.

What herbicides kill thistles?

Selective weed killers containing clopyralid or triclopyr will kill thistles without damaging the surrounding plants. Buy a commercially-sold organic herbicide that’s formulated to kill weeds and read the label to make sure it won’t harm positive plants.

When should I mow thistles?

Mowing the thistles before they bloom will curb the issue. Mow the thistles right before the flowering stage, which will make it much harder for the plant to distribute its seeds. Start in the early spring, and continue to mow the area over and over again whenever you notice new growth. If possible, mow the plants whenever you know a heavy rain is coming; wounding the thistles at the base and exposing them to large amounts of water may promote fungi and diseases to develop in the roots.

When to apply thistle spray?

Follow the instructions on the label to apply it to your thistles. Do this early in the growing season for the best results. [3]

What is thistle plant?

The thistle plant is one of the most persistent and stubborn plants that you are going to come across, and it could wreak havoc on your garden if you are not careful . Known to many people as the Canada thistle or the creeping thistle, it’s a name given to a group of different flowering plants that can be differentiated by their leaves. The plant is also known for the sharp prickles that usually develop on the stem.

What is a bull thistle?

Bull thistle is the more common variety of thistle that you are going to come across. Because it is a biennial plant, the plant usually creates a small rosette when it forms just above the ground level. This generally happens during its first year of growth. Over the passage of time, the plant continues to develop a much more expansive root system.

How does thistle spread?

The issue with thistle is that it spreads from the air. The flower heads on the thistle plant contain thousands of other thistle seeds, and they can spread at a very exponential rate. If you want to get rid of weeds growing in your lawn, there are quite a few options available to you.

How many seeds does musk thistle have?

Thistle is an incredibly difficult weed to eliminate from your lawn, especially when you consider that a single musk thistle is capable of spreading around 120,000 seeds from a single flower. On top of that, they can grow to heights of up to six feet.

How to prevent thistle from spreading?

The best thing to do to prevent the solution from spreading to other plants in your garden is to put cardboard all around it. This is going to contain the problem, and will make it easy for you to kill the thistle without much of a problem.

How to kill thistle with gin?

This will stop the ability of the plant to spread via the roots, and you won’t have much to worry about! To make a gin-based thistle killer, you are going to need at least two ounces of gin, and one ounce of apple cider vinegar. Mix the two together, and then add one tablespoon of liquid-based dish soap.

Can gin kill thistle?

This might come as a surprise to most people, but gin can actually be an effective tool for combating a thistle infestation.

What is thistle plant?

Thistle plants come from the Asteraceae plant family and include several varieties. Considered an unwanted weed by most gardeners, thistles can be controlled with homemade herbicides, uprooting and prevention. Thistle plants grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.

How to keep thistle from coming back?

Prevention. Once thistle has been killed or removed from your garden, use a few homemade prevention methods to keep it from coming back. Weeds won't grow if they don't have light, so block the problem areas with some type of homemade mulch. Mulch is a material used to cover soil.

How to kill thistle plants?

Homemade Herbicide. A homemade herbicide consisting of vinegar and salt may be effective at killing unwanted thistle plants. The vinegar needs to contain at least 20 percent acetic acid to be effective at killing weeds.

Is thistle a perennial?

Thistle is a perennial flowering plant with sharp prickles all over the leaves and other areas of the plant. There are many varieties of thistle plants, and not all varieties are harmful to your garden. The Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is usually the most noxious. Canada thistle has small flowers and long triangular-shaped leaves ...