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MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus)
Common names
Mary thistle, St. Mary's thistle, Our Lady's thistle
Medicinal parts
Leaves, fruit (seeds)
Description
Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean
and has been naturalized in California and the eastern United States. An annual or biennial,
it grows up to 3 feet high and large, solitary, purple "thistles," or flower heads, appear from June to August.
Milk thistle, like dandelion, is often the gardener's bane, but herbalists
and naturopathic physicians consider it a potent weapon against liver damage.
Its use to support liver function goes back at least to the
1st century C.E. Like many herbal remedies, it got lost with the advent of pharmaceuticals,
and as recently as 1947, the U.S. Dispensatory gave it short shrift-one paragraph about its history.
However, recent clinical research, especially by German scientists,
indicate that milk thistle is indeed effective. Over three hundred studies conducted
since the late 1960s report no toxic side effects. The "seeds," which are actually its fruit,
contain a bioflavonoid complex that has powerful antioxidant abilities.
According to Stephen Foster's 101 Medicinal Herbs, standardized milk thistle seed preparations
have been shown to change the cell structure of the outer liver membrane,
thus preventing toxic chemicals from entering while stimulating the liver to
generate new cells. Milk thistle may be of value against viral hepatitis as well.
German health authorities have endorsed the use of milk thistle as a
supportive treatment for inflammatory liver conditions and cirrhosis, but it
has value as a preventative as well because it stimulates protein synthesis,
which results in an increase in the production of new liver cells to replace
damaged old ones. Dr. Andrew Weil strongly recommends milk thistle for anyone
who regularly consumes alcohol or is exposed to toxic chemicals.
The liver is our second largest organ and is essential to overall health.
It is also the only organ in the body with the ability to rejuvenate itself.
It is the main source of detoxification, especially from alcohol, nicotine
(including second-hand smoke), and carbon monoxide. As humans are daily exposed
to more and more pollutants, our livers are being required to work overtime to
expel these toxins. Therefore, almost everyone can benefit by supplementing their diets with this lowly weed.
Dosage
Capsules: The primary form in which
milk thistle is marketed in the United States is in capsule form. Capsules containing
200 milligrams of a concentrated extract, which represents 140 milligrams of silymarin.
One to three tablets a day are recommended; or, follow instructions on the manufacturer's label. |
