Milk thistle: medicinal properties and contraindications, instructions for use

Milk thistle, also called milk thistle, is an annual or biennial medicinal plant, a member of the Asteraceae family and the Milk thistle genus.

Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean countries, the Iberian and Balkan peninsulas. The culture has spread widely throughout the world, growing in Africa, Eastern and Western Europe, America and Central Asia.

In the wild it grows in weedy places and is classified as an aggressive weed. It is actively cultivated to obtain valuable medicinal raw materials in the southern parts of Russia, Ukraine and China. The medicinal properties and contraindications of milk thistle are well known today, so the plant is a medicinal raw material for the pharmaceutical industry.

What Milk Thistle Contains

The plant contains many useful elements in its stems, flowers and leaves. In addition, the seeds are rich in various components, which together with the green part provide more than 400 elements, including:

• magnesium;
• iron;
• calcium;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• potassium;
• vitamins A, E, D and group B;
• factor T – platelet stimulator;
• phospholipids;
• essential oils.

Morphological description

The cultivated species is an annual, and the wild one is a thorny biennial plant.

Reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. The stem has a simple or branched structure, glabrous. Large elliptical or pinnately shaped leaves are arranged alternately. There are yellowish spines at the edge of the leaf, and veins at the bottom. The leaf blade is green and has white spots on it. The surface of the leaf is shiny.

The flowers are pink, purple or pure white. Collected in spherical single baskets with a wrapper that consists of spiny leaves. The inflorescence bed has a fleshy structure and is covered with hairs. The flowers are tubular, bisexual. The fruit is an achene with a tuft, which has a bitter taste. Flowering occurs in the summer months, July-August.

What does milk thistle treat?

Thanks to the silybin, silicristin, and silydianin included in the composition, silymarin compounds are formed. Over the entire period of milk thistle research, scientists have counted 12 types of silymarins. This is what provides a healing effect on the liver. Rathistle is considered an excellent hepatoprotector, regenerator and detoxification stimulator.

That is why its courses are prescribed for:

• chronic hepatitis;
• dyskinesia;
• cholecystitis;
• damage caused by nephrotoxic therapy;
• alcoholism;
• severe poisoning.

Useful properties and applications

All parts of the plant (seeds, leaves, roots) have medicinal value.

• The roots and seeds are used in the preparation of decoctions used in the treatment of diseases of the stomach, liver, edema and urinary retention, convulsions and radiculitis, etc.
• Milk thistle seeds are used to make oil, powder and flour. These forms enhance the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, are effective for diseases of the liver and spleen, prevent salt deposition and strengthen the vascular wall.
• Milk thistle powder cleanses the blood, reduces cholesterol and blood sugar, removes toxins, and helps lose weight.
• Milk thistle oil quickly heals wounds, has an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect and is effective in the treatment of burns, wounds, allergic rashes, as well as sore throat and gynecological diseases. When taken internally, the oil helps with stomach ulcers, gastritis, and myopia. It has an anti-sclerotic effect, strengthens vascular walls and is effective for heart diseases. Used to tone the body and strengthen the immune system. In cosmetology it is used to rejuvenate and nourish the skin and strengthen hair.
• The leaves are used to obtain juice, which has a laxative, diuretic and choleretic effect. In cooking, the leaves are used to make salads and various side dishes.

Thus, milk thistle preparations have the following effects:

• anti-inflammatory;
• hepatoprotective;
• wound healing;
• antiulcer;
• epithelializing;
• antioxidant;
• antitumor;
• choleretic;
• immunomodulatory;
• detoxifying;
• laxative;
• antisclerotic;
• restorative;
• diuretic.

Milk thistle is one of the most effective hepatoprotectors: it stabilizes the biomembranes of hepatocyte cells, improves the antioxidant and detoxification functions of the liver, activates the synthesis of glutathione, which is a source of antioxidants, and accelerates the regeneration of damaged liver cells. The plant protects normal hepatocytes from damage, increasing resistance to infectious agents and toxins.

In addition, there is an improvement in the secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract, digestion of food due to increased production of bile, and an increase in the body’s protective capabilities against infections and poisoning. There is a suppression of the synthesis of histamines, which provoke the development of allergies and headaches. The metabolism of estrogen hormones accelerates. Promotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Normalizes cholesterol levels and ensures complete digestion of fats without intermediate products. Promotes healing of ulcers. Helps you lose weight.

How to take milk thistle powder correctly

Powder is flour that is obtained after grinding the seeds of a plant. In medicine it is called meal. When purchasing ready-made meal at the pharmacy, packaged in a box or bag, make sure that the product was received recently by assessing the date of manufacture. Also, make sure that the packaging protects the contents from light. Exposure to sunlight has a detrimental effect on the beneficial substances of the powder, depriving it of its healing power.

For liver diseases, the daily dose is calculated based on one’s own weight: the patient needs 1 g of powder per 1 kg of weight. The resulting value is divided into 5 equal parts - 5 meals. You can consume the powder with water at intervals of 4-5 hours.

You can prepare the powder yourself by purchasing plant seeds. You can grind them in a coffee grinder, blender or using a mortar.

Collection, preparation and storage

Milk thistle seeds are collected from August to October, because seeds ripen unevenly. The formation of white fluff in the baskets indicates the readiness of the seeds - to obtain them, the baskets themselves are cut off using pruners. They are placed on a sieve in one layer, under which clean paper is spread and dried in this way. It is important that the room is sufficiently ventilated, but without drafts, since the seeds are small and can simply fly apart. After drying, the thorns are cut off from the baskets, broken, and the seeds are shaken out and dried on paper. Store in fabric bags in the dark and dry for 3 years.

The roots are collected in the fall - they are dug up, washed with water and prepared for drying: crushed and dried in an oven at temperatures up to 50 degrees or indoors. Store in glass jars for 1 year.

Leaves are also harvested in the fall - laid on a cloth or paper in a thin layer and dried under conditions of sufficient ventilation. Store in glass jars for 1 year.

Milk thistle juice is harvested during the period when the plant shoots out its arrow - the first baskets open. To obtain it, the 5 largest leaves are removed from each stem, crushed and the juice is squeezed out. Preserve the valuable product as follows: for 1 liter of juice - 50 ml of 70% alcohol, mix and store in the cold.

How to take milk thistle meal to cleanse the liver

As a cleanser I use a decoction made from fresh meal. To increase the beneficial properties of the drug, you need to prepare the powder yourself, rather than buying ready-made ones.

Having crushed 30 g of seeds, they need to be filled with three glasses of water and put on fire to boil. The mixture should be cooked for a long time until half of the liquid has boiled away. After which the broth must be filtered, clearing it of sediment. Take 1 tablespoon orally every hour before meals. The duration of treatment is 2 weeks. After which it is recommended to take tests for liver enzymes to assess the result of treatment. If necessary, you can take a break of 2 weeks, after which the course is repeated.

Indications for use

Milk thistle herb powder helps in the treatment of the following diseases:

• cirrhosis;
• viral, alcoholic, drug-induced hepatitis;
• fatty degeneration;
• toxic liver damage;
• cholecystitis;
• cholelithiasis;
• intoxication of the body;
• alcoholism.

These are the main indications for use, which are indicated in the instructions. However, in alternative medicine, milk thistle is used for obesity, in the treatment of inflammation of the reproductive system, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, and diabetes.

Attention! The plant is effective even in the last stages of cirrhosis. It prolongs the patient's life.

But preparations with milk thistle should be used only as an auxiliary, and not as a primary remedy.

Contraindications

Herbal origin does not mean that the drug is completely safe when taken endlessly without control. The seeds contain a large amount of phosphorus, which can negatively affect the function of the heart valve. Therefore, in case of any chronic disorders of the cardiovascular system or an acute period of the disease, you should consult a specialist.

In addition, self-medication with milk thistle is contraindicated in people with:

• individual intolerance to drugs;
• exacerbation of pancreatitis;
• epilepsy;
• shortness of breath.

The plant has found application in many areas of medicine and is indicated in the following cases:

• Gastroenterology: liver dystrophy, hepatitis C, jaundice, liver cirrhosis, determined by alcohol, toxins or radiation, jaundice, colitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hemorrhoids, gastroduodenitis, enterocolitis, colitis, dysbacteriosis.
• Urology: urinary retention.
• Toxicology: chronic poisoning with medicinal and narcotic substances, alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, food intoxication.
• Gynecology: toxicosis of pregnant women (in consultation with a doctor), inflammatory diseases.
• Cardiology: to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve heart function, varicose veins, thrombocytopathy.
• Preventatively: for people located in environmentally unfavorable places, employed in hazardous working conditions.
• Oncology: during chemotherapy or radiation therapy to cleanse the blood of toxic substances, radionuclides and heavy metals.
• Endocrinology: to normalize lipid metabolism and reduce cholesterol, in the fight against obesity, diabetes, thyroid diseases.
• Neurology: radiculitis, multiple sclerosis, myopathy.
• Dermatology: psoriasis, vitiligo, baldness, acne, allergies, dermatoses, lichen planus, neurodermatitis.
• Dentistry and ENT: stomatitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis.
• Cosmetology: skin rejuvenation and cleansing.
• Rheumatology: arthritis and polyarthritis, salt deposition in joints.

How much does milk thistle cost?

The cost of the drug directly depends on the name of the manufacturer and the dosage form.

Domestic producers selling seeds in plastic bags ask for no more than 50 rubles per package. Foreign companies for the same seeds can charge a price that is one and a half to two times higher than the cost of the Russian equivalent.

Ready meal (powder), prepared by grinding seeds, costs about 115 rubles per 100 g of product.

And milk thistle oil can be bought at a cost of 80 rubles per 100 ml, or 450 rubles per 50 ml - depending on the name of the manufacturer’s brand.

Where can I buy

You can purchase the product at the iHerb online pharmacy. The site offers drugs at prices 30-50% lower than pharmacy prices, and collaborates with the manufacturer Now Foods, which produces Silymarin, pure powder, 4 oz (114 g). The product contains milk thistle extract, there are no other substances in the composition.

You can purchase it by following the link:

Now Foods, Silymarin, Pure Powder, 4 oz (113 g)

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1 411 ₽

Buy at a discount

Release forms: advantages, disadvantages

Milk thistle is available in various dosage forms. Each of them comes with instructions with a clearly marked application pattern and recommended doses.

Table - Forms of milk thistle supplements

For oral use, you can choose any form of the drug. All of them are equally effective and useful.

Cosmetology

The unique medicinal properties of milk thistle are also recognized in the cosmetology field. The plant restores the natural beauty of the skin and preserves youth, protects against rashes in problem areas.

Let's look at some use cases:

1. For wrinkles . You will need: avocado and milk thistle oils in a ratio of 1:3. Mix the ingredients and heat, apply to a linen cloth and apply the mask to the face and décolleté for 30-40 minutes. Remove and rinse with water. The composition increases the smoothness and elasticity of the skin (by activating the formation of new collagen and elastin fibers), prevents the appearance of new wrinkles and smoothes out small existing ones.
2. Peeling agent . Ingredients: 1 tbsp. l. milk thistle oil, 8 tbsp. l. ground plant seeds. Combine ingredients and heat. Rub into the skin of the face for about 5 minutes with massage movements, remove after 20 minutes with any cloth, rinse with water. It is recommended to repeat this procedure once a day every 3-5 days. This will get rid of the outer (dead) layer of cells.
3. To strengthen hair . You will need: any (preferably natural) shampoo – 100 ml, rose oil – 2-3 drops, milk thistle oil – 10 ml. Add oils to shampoo and wash your hair 1-2 times a day in the usual way. The product stimulates hair growth, prevents hair fragility, and eliminates oily shine.

If you do not have the desire or physical ability to prepare the remedies described above, you can use pharmaceutical products. The shelves are replete with various plant-based skin and hair care products.

Milk thistle is an effective remedy for skin rejuvenation and healthy hair. The drugs can be made independently or purchased at pharmacies.

Principles of drug selection

You can find many medicines containing milk thistle in pharmacies, but not all of them are of high quality. The following contains useful tips that will help you buy a good drug for the liver.

Necessity of admission

The active substances contained in milk thistle extract accumulate in the liver and are excreted in the bile, and also participate in the enterohepatic circulation. Therefore, medications are used for a number of diseases of the hepatobiliary system. Main indications:

• toxic liver damage - poisoning with halogenated hydrocarbons, salts of heavy metals, drug and alcohol intoxication;
• chronic hepatitis, including viral B and C;
• fatty degeneration or cirrhosis of the liver;
• biliary dyskinesia, dysfunction of the bile duct sphincters;
• prolonged cholecystitis and cholangitis.

Dosage forms

Milk thistle comes in different forms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Main options for herbal extracts:

1. Capsules. The shell ensures maximum absorption of nutrients.
2. Pills. Medicines for the liver with milk thistle in tablets are practically no different from capsules. They are easy to use and have good bioavailability.
3. Powder. Intended for mixing with food or drinks. Disadvantage: unpleasant aftertaste.
4. Liquid. The form is convenient to take and dose using a pipette. Most of these drugs do not contain alcohol and are therefore safe.

Compound

The high-quality concentrate contains purified plant extract consisting of silymarin, cold-pressed oil and fiber necessary for good digestion. To enhance the pharmacological properties, additional components may be included in liver preparations. Milk thistle works best together with artichoke extract, which has a powerful choleretic effect, and essential phospholipids, which promote the regeneration of the liver parenchyma.

Thistle oil has a higher price and a rich composition; it contains a large amount of vitamins. But this product is more likely to cause side effects.

Doses and packaging volume

The plant exhibits its beneficial properties with long-term use, so the therapeutic course is 1-3 months. The packaging you need to choose is one that contains at least 30 daily servings. Then it will be enough for the entire course.

For the treatment of liver diseases, adults are recommended to drink at least 100-250 mg of standardized milk thistle extract daily.

Supplement prices

When choosing medications, it is better to focus on the price of a daily serving - to do this, you need to divide the total cost of the package by the number of servings. According to this indicator, high-quality supplements from the iHerb website outperform cheap pharmacy analogues, which contain low concentrations and inactive forms of milk thistle.

Recommended Manufacturers

High-quality products are produced by both Russian and foreign pharmaceutical companies. Buyers prefer supplements from American manufacturers - Natrol, Jarrow Formulas, Now Foods, Nature's Answer. Some are also popular, “Zdravushka”, “Evalar”.

Reviews

Maryana: For me, being treated and restored with herbs is as natural as drinking water. Everything comes from the family. While still a preschooler, my mother and I made milk thistle meal, which our relatives and friends then took from us. And I myself always use it if food poisoning occurs, if any digestive diseases are discovered. An excellent gentle product that always gives results.

Yulia: At the weight loss marathon, we were recommended to drink milk thistle in any convenient form. The trainer assured that the seeds of this plant regulate the functioning of the digestive organs, improve metabolism, and have a good effect on hormonal status. Since I actually lost 8 kg in 3 months, I can say that it couldn’t have happened without milk thistle. And in general, tea with this herb was somehow invigorating for me, after which the body was filled with pleasant lightness.

Alcohol compatibility

According to doctors, alcohol and milk thistle are compatible. The plant reduces the load on the liver, prevents intoxication, protects hepatocytes from destruction, as well as degeneration into adipose tissue. It quickly removes the remnants of ethyl alcohol and acetaldehyde, thereby relieving the body of a severe hangover.

The compatibility of milk thistle with alcohol does not mean that preparations containing it can be consumed simultaneously with alcoholic beverages.