What are the healing properties of milk thistle?
What Is Milk Thistle Used For?
- Liver Disease. Some preliminary studies have suggested that silymarin may improve liver function by keeping toxic substances from binding to liver cells.
- Chronic Hepatitis C. Milk thistle is sometimes used by people with chronic hepatitis C (a viral infection characterized by the progressive scarring of the liver).
- Type 2 Diabetes. ...
What happens if I take too much milk thistle?
What happens if i take too much milk thistle? In fact, in studies where high doses were used for long periods, only about 1% of people experienced side effects ( 1 ). When reported, side effects for milk thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea or bloating. Some people are advised to be cautious when taking milk thistle.
Does milk thistle actually work?
One reported effect of milk thistle is that it can boost breast milk production in lactating mothers. It’s thought to work by making more of the milk-producing hormone prolactin.
Does milk thistle really help your liver?
There’s conflicting research on the benefits of milk thistle for liver health. It may have protective effects on the liver, preventing damage. There’s some evidence that milk thistle can treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, or viruses. But experts say that the evidence isn’t conclusive.
Which part of milk thistle is used for liver?
Milk thistle is a plant with white-veined leaves that has traditionally been used to treat liver issues and stimulate breast milk production, among other applications.
What parts of milk thistle are edible?
Edible Parts The young stalks, leaves, roots and flowers can be eaten. Milk thistle root can be eaten raw or cooked. Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked however the very sharp leaf-spines must be removed first. When cooked these leaves make a great spinach substitute.
What part of milk thistle do you harvest?
The whole plant — leaves, flower buds, seeds and roots. Seeds can be harvested once a flower head is dried. Spare a thought for the harvester, the spines of this thistle penetrate even the toughest gloves available! All parts of Milk Thistle are dried for use in infusions, tinctures and powders.
What part of milk thistle is used for tea?
Milk thistle is also commonly known as holy thistle and Mary thistle. The tea can be made by infusing the leaves or seeds of the plant in hot water. Milk thistle tea is naturally-caffeine free so it can be consumed at any time of day without disrupting sleep patterns.
How do you extract milk thistle seeds?
1:032:01Collecting Milk Thistle Seeds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull it apart a little so I can see inside to get all the seeds. The seeds sometimes they don't allMorePull it apart a little so I can see inside to get all the seeds. The seeds sometimes they don't all come out and you have to just like move your finger around a little bit at the bottom.
How do you grind milk thistle seeds?
Milk thistle seeds can be easily ground and incorporated into baked dishes like bread. To do this, put the milk thistle seeds into a blender or a coffee grinder. Grind the seeds into a fine powder.
How do you harvest and dry milk thistle?
How To Harvest Milk ThistleWhen the milk thistle blossoms are dry, cut them off the plant from the base of the flower head.Place the flower heads into a paper bag, and then set the bag in a warm location to allow them to completely dry, which generally takes five to seven days.More items...•
How do you harvest thistle root?
The roots of thistle are notorious at snapping when you pull them out the ground this is one of their reproduction methods, it ensures they come back next year... so when you tug out a thistle just know that the most chunky part of the root will remain behind, if you want all of the root it may therefore be worth ...
How do you use thistle?
Some people apply milk thistle directly to the skin for skin damage caused by radiation. In foods, milk thistle leaves and flowers are eaten as a vegetable for salads and a substitute for spinach. The seeds are roasted for use as a coffee substitute.
Where are the seeds in a thistle?
In the fall you should begin to see white or silver seeds appear near the tops of the milk thistle. To make it easier to harvest, wait until the milk thistle blossoms are dry.
How do you prepare thistles to eat?
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.
What is the best form of milk thistle to take?
The Best Milk Thistle SupplementsBest Overall. Puritan's Pride Milk Thistle. Affordable Six Month Supply. ... Best Antioxidant Formula. Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle. ... Strongest Dose. Fresh Nutrition Milk Thistle Capsules. ... Best for Liver Health. FarmHaven Milk Thistle Capsules. ... Most Trusted. Nature's Bounty Milk Thistle Capsules.
What is milk thistle?
Overview. Milk thistle is a plant named for the white veins on its large prickly leaves. One of the active ingredients in milk thistle called silymarin is extracted from the plant's seeds. Silymarin is believed to have antioxidant properties. Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid extract.
Does milk thistle affect osteoporosis?
Milk thistle may affect how your liver processes this osteoporosis medication, causing higher levels of the drug in your bloodstream. Talk to your doctor before taking milk thistle if you're taking raloxifene. Simeprevir.
Is milk thistle safe to take?
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. Itchiness. Headache. If you have diabetes, use milk thistle with caution, since the supplement might lower blood sugar.
Does milk thistle help with diabetes?
Diabetes. Milk thistle might lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes, but more studies are needed to confirm its benefits. Indigestion (dyspepsia). Milk thistle, in combination with other supplements, might improve the symptoms of indigestion. Liver disease.
Can you take simeprevir with milk thistle?
Simeprevir. Taking milk thistle with this hepatitis C medication might increase levels of the drug in your blood plasma. Avoid using milk thistle and simeprevir together. Sirolimus (Rapamune). Taking milk thistle with this immunosuppressant might change the way your body processes the medication. Nov. 19, 2020.
Can milk thistle cause an allergic reaction?
Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, including a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). An allergic reaction is more common in people who are allergic to other plants in the Asteraceae family, such as ragweed, daisies, marigolds and chrysanthemums.
About Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle (Silybum spp.) is a popular herb of the Asteraceae family. It is native to Southern Europe but is also cultivated worldwide for medicinal purposes. This extremely invasive plant is thorny with grooved stems and prickly rosette leaves.
Where This Plant Is Found
Milk thistles are tough plants that can survive even in anthropogenic or polluted environments. They are forgiving of climate and growing conditions and are hard to eradicate. However, milk thistle often thrives abundantly in places with temperate climates.
How To Identify Milk Thistle
Milk thistles are biennial or annual plants with tall, branched stems. It has unique rosette leaves which are the plant’s primary identifying feature. These leaves are large with distinctive veining or marbling and spines along the edges. It also bears single, spiny disc-shaped flowers in pink-purple color at the end of its stem.
Varieties Of Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has two varieties: the silver milk thistle and blessed milk thistle. The latter is more common and popular among the two and used mainly for medicinal purposes.
How To Grow Milk Thistle
A single milk thistle plant produces many seeds that remain viable for up to 9 years. You can propagate the plant through cuttings but the easiest way is through sowing seeds. The best month to plant milk thistle seeds is from March to April.
How To Harvest Milk Thistle
The seeds are the most valuable part of the plant that are harvested for medicinal use. You can harvest the flower heads when white pappus tufts or circles of hair crowns begin to replace the flowers. When left alone, these tufts get carried by the wind and new plants will sprout in unwanted places.
What Milk Thistle Is Good For And Natural Remedies Made From It
For a long time, milk thistle has had a valuable contribution to the treatment of alcohol-related liver diseases. It is mainly because of the plant’s silymarin content. It helps in detoxifying and cleansing the blood. Cumulatively, a healthy liver may clear skin problems like acne and dermatitis.
What is milk thistle used for?
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.
Why do milk thistles have purple flowers?
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. The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as silymarin ( 1. Trusted Source.
Does milk thistle cause diarrhea?
Trusted Source. ). When reported, side effects for milk thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea or bloating. Some people are advised to be cautious when taking milk thistle.
Is milk thistle good for acne?
Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, milk thistle may be a useful supplement for people with acne. Interestingly, one study found that people with acne who took 210 milligrams of silymarin per day for 8 weeks experienced a 53% decrease in acne lesions ( 42 ).
Is milk thistle absorbed by the brain?
Moreover, it’s unclear whether milk thistle is well enough absorbed in people to allow adequate amounts to pass through the blood-brain barrier. It’s also unknown what doses would need to be prescribed for it to have a beneficial effect ( 18. Trusted Source. ).
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.
What is milk thistle?
Other Questions. Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum) is a perennial herb believed to have medicinal properties. The seeds contain silymarin, a group of compounds said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
How to grow milk thistle?
To grow milk thistle, spread the seeds over the loose soil in the spring or fall. Milk thistle seeds only take only around two weeks to germinate. Since milk thistle grows in clumps, space each cluster of seed s about 12 inches apart. Milk thistle is drought resistant and needs very little watering.
How to make milk thistle tonic?
Milk thistle tonic is typically made by steeping a tablespoon of crushed seed in three cups of hot water for 20 minutes. Do not harvest milk thistle plants that have been exposed to pesticides or found along roadways or industrial sites.
How much milk thistle is in a capsule?
Doses range from 175 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams. Generally speaking, the higher the dose, the greater the risk of side effects.
What happens if you take milk thistle?
Call 911 or seek emergency care if you experience shortness of breath, rash, hives, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, or swelling of the face, tongue, or neck after taking milk thistle. If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to shock, coma, cardiac or respiratory failure, or death.
Does milk thistle help with cirrhosis?
Although milk thistle is most often used for liver conditions, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, the herb is believed some to prevent or treat high cholesterol, diabetes, heartburn, upset stomach (dyspepsia), hangover, gallbladder problems, menstrual pain, depression, and even certain types of cancer. Few of these claims are supported by hard evidence.
Can milk thistle cause muscle pain?
Less commonly, muscle aches, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction have been reported. Allergic reactions are also possible. People with allergies to ragweed, daisies, artichokes, kiwi, or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle.
What is milk thistle?
With its spiny leaves and bristly flowers, milk thistle defiantly defends itself against predators looking for an easy meal. And rightfully so, for it has a treasure to protect! Beneath that harsh exterior is a gold mine of seeds (technically fruits) that are renown for their ability to nourish and protect.
Where does milk thistle come from?
Milk thistle originally comes from southern Europe and North Africa to Asia, but has now spread across the world. It often grows in disturbed soils and is sometimes considered an invasive weed. For over 2,000 years, milk thistle has been relied upon for its ability to protect the liver. In more recent years it has been widely heralded as a life-saving substance for people with severe liver damage.
How long does it take for milk thistle to kill?
One review reports, “Administration of silybin [a milk thistle extract] within approximately 48 hours after poisoning produced by the mushroom Amanita phalloides (death cap) seems to be an effective measure to prevent severe liver damage.” 5.
How tall does Milk Thistle grow?
Milk thistle can be found growing in disturbed soils around the world. It can grow as either an annual or biennial herb, reaching 2-4 feet in height. The leaves start as a basal rosette before growing up the stem. Mature leaves have many sharp spines and contain significant white veins or spots.
Why is milk thistle so popular?
Milk thistle is most famous for its ability to protect and nourish the liver. While this may seem to be a very specific action, because of all the extensive things your liver does, the implications are far reaching. For milk thistle there is no job too big or too small!
Is milk thistle extract good for hand foot?
After five weeks those using the milk thistle gel fared significantly better than those using the placebo. 11. Another study showed that a milk thistle extract gel could prevent hand-foot syndrome, which is a common adverse reaction to a medication given to people with gastrointestinal cancer. 12.
Is milk thistle good for cancer?
Milk Thistle Medicinal Uses to Prevent Cancer and Protect Against Harmful Effects of Cancer Therapy. Radiation-induced dermatitis is a common side effect of radiotherapy performed on cancer patients. One study evaluated whether a milk thistle extract gel would help prevent radio-dermatitis in people diagnosed with breast cancer.
