The Milk Thistle has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. It was previously administered for its bitter properties, but more recently, it has been recognised more and more as an excellent remedy for liver complaints.
Also known as Carduus marianus, the Milk Thistle is a large plant with glossy, green, spiky leaves bearing conspicuous white veins. The flowers are purple and large. The plant originates from the Mediterranean although it grows wild all over Europe, North America and Australia, and is now found cultivated in many parts of Europe as an ornamental plant. It was called Marian thistle at one stage, having been dedicated to Mary in the Christian tradition.
In the west, this herb is commonly used to help build a strong and healthy liver. Many scientific tests have shown that not only has Milk Thistle the ability to strengthen the liver, it also helps the detoxification process that is so very necessary in keeping healthy in our polluted world. Modern day studies suggest that there are active substances in Milk Thistle that act to protect the liver from damage by alcohol and many drugs, as well as toxins from the environment.
How it Works:
The main constituent of Milk Thistle appears to be the substance known as Silymarin. This has the unique function of being able to act directly on the cells of the liver producing a liver-protective effect.
Silymarin has been shown to be able to prevent liver cell damage, through stimulating the enzymatic function of liver cells and encouraging the regeneration of the liver.
All these factors are important in overall health, with the liver acting as the most important avenue for the elimination of toxins found within the body.
To put it simply (!):
- It inhibits the factors responsible for liver damage by altering the liver cell membrane structure, blocking the absorption of toxins into the cells
- It stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones
- Silybin, one of its components, acts as an antioxidant, stronger than either vitamin C or E
Milk Thistle also raises levels of glutathione (a powerful antioxidant) in the liver
This means that this powerful little herb can protect the liver against the detrimental effects of environmental toxins, alcohol, and recreational or medicinal drugs, and can restore battered livers to better shape by encouraging the growth of new cells. That’s not to say that you can drink and dope regardless, whilst taking Milk Thistle, but you may experience a slightly reduced hangover if taking it before going out, on returning home, and again with breakfast next day.
Those wishing to help the liver deal with medicinal drugs or environmental toxins that they are unavoidable exposed to, will benefit from taking this herb, as will those wishing to improve fat metabolism, as the liver is responsible for dealing with dietary fats.
Many people therefore find it a useful adjunct to a hectic lifestyle, whether they are taking it once a year as part of a detox or spring clean, or taking it more regularly to make up for somewhat hopeful expectations of liver function.
When should you consider taking Milk Thistle?
Do You:
• Experience discomfort after most meals?
• Find it difficult to get to sleep due to stomach pains?
• Wake up in the night with tortured guts?
• Have bouts of constipation and/or diarrhoea?
• Go up a clothes size or two from the morning to the evening?
• Suffer belching and flatulence?
• Feel as if someone regularly takes a monkey wrench to your insides?
• Experience that ‘food like a stone in the stomach’ feeling?
• Feel that your food is often trying to make its way back up rather than going down?
Sometimes the liver actually goes on strike even though we are applying the basic principles of nutrition or observing an occasional day of fasting. This can happen if we are subjected to constant worries, despair and annoyances. Living in tension and fear aggravates the problem too.
If you fall into several of the above categories, you definitely have poor digestion and should tackle it forthwith, regardless of what letters you want to affix to it. If you just get uncomfortable after a large or rich meal or when eating late, mend your foolish ways and you should have no more problems! Or, alternatively, use Milk Thistle before or after a rich meal, and Centaury before a late meal, and your discomfort will be minimised.
Uses:
Liver function stimulant, Detoxification, Gallstones, High cholesterol, Liver tonic.
Milk Thistle is a fantastic remedy for an overworked, hung-over liver, struggling with the toxic burden placed upon it daily. Indications that the liver is not in peak condition are bad periods, bad skin, a metallic taste in the mouth, unfair weight gain especially around the abdomen, lethargy, problems with temperature regulation, and anaemia. As well as Milk Thistle, the tincture contains Dandelion root, Globe Artichoke, Peppermint and Boldo. Pop 15 to 20 drops into a little water twice a day.
Milk Thistle Complex can be taken long term if it is for high cholesterol, but usually I would recommend a 2-3 month course to tone and cleanse the liver.
When going abroad, add Milk Thistle Complex to your diet to guard against stomach and other bugs
When to Avoid:
Medical opinion should be sought when acute or chronic liver conditions are present.