Milk thistle (Silybum marianunt)

The foremost benefit of milk thistle lies in its ability to protect the liver and support the renewal of liver cells, which is why it is recommended for hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver. It is also effective for gallbladder issues.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianunt) is a hardy plant with leaves edged in sharp spines. Its seeds contain silymarin, a compound that protects the liver. Numerous studies have shown that silymarin from milk thistle has antioxidant properties, helping shield the liver and other organs from the harmful effects of free radicals. Milk thistle is therefore recommended as an adjunct in the management of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.

The liver supportive action of milk thistle is so pronounced that it is at times administered by injection to patients whose lives are at risk due to liver failure caused by mushroom poisoning. To protect and regenerate the liver, it is also given to individuals withdrawing from alcohol. Milk thistle may help reduce liver damage that can occur during chemotherapy in people undergoing cancer treatment.

This plant accelerates recovery and assists in clearing toxins that accumulate in the body. It may also help with endometriosis, a common cause of female infertility, by aiding the liver in processing estrogen. Elevated estrogen levels can intensify pain and other symptoms of this condition.

Milk thistle promotes the flow of bile and is used to prevent and treat gallstones. The leaves support circulation, help break down cholesterol deposits, maintain liver health, assist with jaundice and biliary colic, and stimulate bile secretion, so they are recommended for minor digestive discomfort. Milk thistle can be grown from seed in a sunny location.

In the wild it thrives on rocky ground. The leaves are harvested at the end of summer, then chopped and dried. The seeds are collected in autumn.

Tea from milk thistle seeds

Ingredients: a teaspoon, 3 g, of crushed milk thistle seeds, 250 ml water

Pour boiling water over the seeds and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Drink three or four cups daily, half an hour before meals. This infusion serves only as supportive therapy for liver and gallbladder disorders, since its silymarin content is relatively low.

Tea from milk thistle leaves

Ingredients: half a teaspoon of dried milk thistle leaves, 250 ml water

Pour hot water over the leaves and let steep for five to ten minutes.

To encourage digestion, drink two or three cups a day, preferably before meals.

CAUTION: Excessive amounts of milk thistle may cause vomiting in sensitive individuals. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.