How to take milk thistle meal - recipes and indications, beneficial properties and contraindications

Even in ancient times, when there were no pharmacies, tablets and other chemical medicines, people treated many ailments with the help of various herbs. One of these healing plants is milk thistle, the meal of which has many beneficial properties.

Have you ever heard anything about milk thistle and the meal that is made from this unique plant? It's time to get to know this healing remedy better, learn about its chemical composition, beneficial properties, indications and contraindications. In this article we will try to find answers to these and many other important questions about milk thistle meal.

What is milk thistle meal

The most valuable part of this plant is the seeds - using cold pressing, specialists obtain oil from them, which is sold as a food product. The waste, which is a husk, is meal: the result of extraction. In pharmacies it may be presented as “milk thistle powder” because the seed shells of the plant are crushed during the oil extraction process and become similar to whole grain flour. However, the powder is not too free-flowing: the meal retains about 3% fat.

What is it used for?

Milk thistle meal has found application both in alternative medicine (when people talk about treating the liver, this plant comes to mind first) and in cooking. Cake is a safe food product, popular in dietary recipes - it is added to porridges, salads, meat dishes, replaces seasonings due to natural bitterness, mixed with kefir (similar to chia seeds), or added to vegetable smoothies during detox diets. Milk thistle meal can be used as a medicine:

• for preparing aqueous/alcoholic tinctures;
• in decoctions;
• as a component of a pharmaceutical dietary supplement.

What happens to the liver during body poisoning?

The liver is an organ that is responsible for cleansing the body of toxins and takes part in the digestion process and metabolism. All these three functions are life-determining for a person. The entire liver is penetrated by a vascular network, through which 1.5 liters of blood passes and is filtered in just 60 seconds. Such hard work of the liver is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the entire body as a whole. If the liver refuses to work, the person dies within a few days.

When liver cells do not function at full capacity, toxins and other harmful substances enter the bloodstream and are carried throughout the body. As a result, cardiovascular pathologies develop (atherosclerosis), the gastrointestinal tract, bones and joints suffer (arthrosis and arthritis).

Biochemical composition

Back in the second half of the 20th century, scientists identified the main component of the chemical composition of milk thistle - a unique substance silymarin, enhanced by silibinin and silydianin. All of them belong to the group of flavolignans and have pronounced antioxidant properties. What made milk thistle famous in alternative medicine (not only meal, but also oil, extracts, etc.) is its hepatoprotective quality, which is largely due to silibinin. It is stronger than other flavolignans:

• protects the liver from the effects of toxins by acting directly on cell membranes, inhibiting transport proteins and metabolic activation;
• starts the process of liver cell regeneration;
• slows down the development of fibrous tissue formation.

Hepatoprotective properties are not the only thing for which doctors value milk thistle and its meal: it is also useful for the intestines, sugar and cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. All this is achieved due to the rich chemical composition, in which alkaloids, resins, histamine, little-known vitamin K, and saponins are observed. Milk thistle meal is also distinguished by a high percentage of protein content, which has become one of the reasons for its use in dietary nutrition for weight loss.

Immunity

The infusion according to the recipe below is effective for periods when there is a peak in viral and colds, including flu. It significantly strengthens the human immune system, being not only a therapeutic, but also a prophylactic agent. The cake (3 tsp) should be poured with slightly cooled boiling water (0.5 l).

• Bring to a boil using a water bath.
• Simmer for about 30 (maximum 40) minutes.
• Cool to a temperature of 50-70 degrees.
• Pour into a glass container (or a regular jar).
• Wrap up the vessel.

After 10 hours, the infusion is ready for effective use. To strengthen the immune system at normal times, taking the infusion 4 times a day is enough. One serving is equal to 60 ml. When there is an epidemic of colds or viral diseases, the dosage is increased to 100 ml.

Alcohol tincture of the cake also helps protect the body. It must be taken 3-4 times during the day, always no later than 40 minutes before meals. The tincture (15 drops) must be dissolved in water (30 ml) before use.

milk thistle

Beneficial properties of milk thistle

In addition to helping the liver already mentioned above, up to the start of its regeneration process, milk thistle has a long list of healing properties. It prevents constipation by regulating bowel function, cleanses the body of accumulated toxins, and helps control blood pressure (this is especially noticeable in hypertension). Even women who are dissatisfied with their figure can appreciate the benefits of milk thistle, because it promotes weight loss. Additionally, doctors note:

• positive effect of meal on the nervous system (due to B vitamins);
• the effect of vitamin E, present in the chemical composition of milk thistle, on the gonads of both sexes;
• the ability to cleanse the skin in the presence of acne and treat psoriasis.

Hepaprotective properties

The main quality of the active components of milk thistle - flavolignans - is that they restore liver cells after intoxication caused by heavy alcohol consumption and nicotine addiction, taking chemicals, difficult working conditions in which a person breathes harmful substances. However, they can also prevent the negative impact of these factors, and in addition to protecting and cleansing the liver, milk thistle stabilizes hepatocyte membranes and:

• affects metabolic processes in cells;
• stimulates protein synthesis, the formation of new hepatocytes;
• helps the functioning of the gallbladder, as it has a weak choleretic effect.

The benefits of meal for cleansing and healing the body

A positive effect on the liver is not the only medicinal property of silymarin and other flavolignans, just as we must not forget about the other components of the biochemical composition of this plant. Milk thistle works well as a “cleaner” of the body, which:

• helps remove hazardous substances formed as a result of radiation exposure (in the treatment of oncology);
• blocks free radicals;
• stimulates the removal of bile acids;
• has an antitoxic effect on toxins of natural origin.

Normalization of blood sugar levels

The effect on insulin and the resulting benefits for people with diabetes attributed to some folk recipes with milk thistle continues to be debated by doctors. Here, the role of the same silymarin, which corrects the process of cellular metabolism and plays the role of an antioxidant by inhibiting the oxidation of free radicals, is not excluded, but these points still require scientific evidence.

Improved bowel function

Milk thistle meal contains fiber, which not only helps to dull the feeling of hunger - its main task is to normalize the functioning of the intestines. Even after a short course of treatment with this product, you can notice that constipation has ceased to bother you, and bowel movements occur almost regularly by the hour. Eating large quantities of ground seeds has a laxative effect on the intestines, as it irritates the mucous membrane.

Stabilization of blood pressure

For people suffering from hypertension, doctors, in their recommendations to prevent new attacks of high blood pressure, pay attention to milk thistle meal, advising them to take it mixed with honey. The reason lies in the high level of flavonoids that the seeds contain - they have a positive effect on the walls of blood vessels, blood circulation and even the functioning of the heart. Fatty acids, in tandem with magnesium, regulate blood viscosity and help relieve vascular spasms.

Reducing swelling and normalizing the body’s water-salt balance

The seeds of this plant are not only rich in vitamins - they are distinguished by the content of saponins, which help control hormone levels and affect the synthesis of corticosteroids. Additionally, saponins affect the water-salt balance, as they help remove uric acid from the body. Due to this, there is a decrease in the severity of edema, an improvement in the condition of the kidneys, and the formation of stones in the bladder is prevented.

Hangover treatment

Milk thistle is the very plant that allows you to quickly remove hangover symptoms. The antioxidant effect of the product helps in this, as well as its beneficial effect on the liver.

Milk thistle decoction will cleanse the liver and help cope with a hangover

How it works:

• First, the antioxidant capabilities of the healing powder are activated;
• liver function is normalized, liver enzyme systems also receive strong support;
• seed powder neutralizes toxins that were formed under the influence of ethyl alcohol;
• The plant helps remove acetaldehyde from the body.

The anti-hangover recipe is simple - pour 250 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of cake and leave for 15 minutes. Strain the broth and drink. The herbal remedy will work quite quickly. But, of course, you shouldn’t abuse this recipe. Since the meal helps almost immediately, some people get carried away with this treatment, and any excess of the prescribed dosage and frequency of administration cancels all the positive effects.

Indications for use of milk thistle meal

The strength of the medicinal properties of this product is so high that they carry out not only a preventive course with it, which is designed to strengthen the body and protect the liver - the ground seed shells can also act as a full-fledged medicine. They are recommended for use in the treatment of hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and liver damage from toxic substances. However, in addition to liver diseases, the list of indications for use includes:

• cholelithiasis (chronic form);
• any diseases of the spleen;
• increased bilirubin levels;
• violation of bile secretion;
• constipation;
• high cholesterol;
• alcohol abuse;
• recently undergone chemotherapy.

When losing weight

Many people who suffer from excess weight fail to cope with this problem through diet and exercise. The reason for extra pounds is poor digestion and metabolism. In such situations, you can resort to the help of milk thistle, which normalizes metabolism in the body.

The oil and meal of the plant are used in cooking. They are added to salads, sauces, cereals and confectionery. It is worth noting that they do not contain components that burn fat and reduce appetite. To achieve results, it is necessary to additionally use other methods of losing excess weight.

Methods of application

To evaluate the medicinal properties of this plant, doctors recommend taking the meal as a course, adding it to food, since it is classified as a dietary supplement. However, you can also take care of preparing dishes with milk thistle, or make a homemade tincture that helps cope with intoxication of any kind (it is mainly used for hangover syndrome). Main uses of the product:

• The tincture for hangover syndrome should be prepared in advance. The scheme is simple: 50 g of powder is poured with vodka or alcohol (500 ml) and left for 14 days in a dark place. Use 25 drops diluted with 50 ml of warm water. Long-term use of this tincture helps eliminate alcohol addiction.
• A fruit cocktail with milk thistle is actively used during cleansing diets. The recipe is this: pour a teaspoon of cake into 50 ml of warm water overnight. In the morning, beat with a blender with 50 g of any frozen berries and 100 g of banana pulp. You should not drink more than 2 servings of this cocktail per day.
• Additive to salads and baked goods - there are no clear recipes here, since the cake can be added to any salads (including meat ones), to dough, by analogy with whole grain flour. However, you need to remember the dosages: for 200-300 g of salad, no more than 1 tsp. meal, and for dough - up to 1 tbsp. l.

Gynecology

To get rid of typical female problems, the best effect can be achieved by combining internal use with douching. In the absence of any contraindications, the preparation of medicinal products is carried out according to a typical recipe. Decoctions are suitable for douching. It is important that their concentration is low. One teaspoon of husk is enough for 0.5 liters of water. The decoction is prepared using a water bath. Duration: no more than 30 minutes. At the end of the “simmering” of the broth, it is necessary to cool it to a suitable temperature. The product is ready for use (douching).

A slightly different technique if signs of destructive pathologies are found on the vaginal tissues. For such cases, you need to add wheat germ and milk thistle oil (2 teaspoons) to the decoction.

How to drink milk thistle powder

Whatever regimen you choose - protecting the liver, adjusting blood pressure or treating the whole body, while taking this plant you will need to forget about fatty foods and alcohol so as not to reduce the effect of therapy to zero. The scheme for using the meal will depend on the purposes, but if you are not planning to prepare a decoction, tincture or tea, the powder should be taken with warm water and chewed lightly so that the vegetable oils remaining in the shells are released.

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For liver treatment

For chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, biliary dyskinesia and other liver diseases, courses of treatment with milk thistle meal are carried out up to 2 times a year, each lasting 20 days. Afterwards they take a break for 2 weeks and repeat the dosage regimen again for 20 days. Liver treatment is mainly carried out with a classic decoction:

1. Boil 30 g of ground seeds in 500 ml of water until the amount of liquid is reduced by half. The fire is weak.
2. Drink a teaspoon every hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eating does not affect the effectiveness of treatment.

Use as a remedy

In alternative medicine, the most effective way to use cake is to prepare a simple infusion: pour 1 tsp into a glass of boiling water. raw materials, leave for 20 minutes. Divide into 2 servings, drink 15 minutes before meals in small sips, always warm. After 40 days of treatment, a break of at least 2 weeks is needed. If the doctor deems it necessary, the course is repeated.

Instructions for using milk thistle meal for weight loss

The effect of this product on the figure is explained solely by the fact that the seed shells normalize metabolism (therefore they are prescribed to people with diabetes), and with active use they give a laxative effect. For this reason, they should only be used as an additional component of a weight loss regimen. The intake algorithm is simple: add 1 tsp. crushed seeds for meals 3 times a day, duration of administration - 2 weeks. It is advisable to combine them with a hot dish: porridge, soup.

Variegated thistle powder for prevention

The dosage of meal, used not for medicinal purposes, but to restore the body or protect the liver, should be set individually, but always start with 1/2-1 tsp, always with food. For stomach diseases, it is advisable to consume meal not at the beginning of a meal. It is important to take into account the age of the patient - children over 3 years old can also undergo a preventive course annually. The options are as follows:

• Children are given 1/2 tsp. meal along with breakfast and lunch. The course is no longer than 25 days.
• Adults can drink milk thistle 1-2 tsp. morning and evening, and the duration of the preventive course ranges from 30 to 40 days.

Reviews

Julia: I bought it at the pharmacy, it’s inexpensive, accessible and available almost everywhere. I took one tablespoon a day, washed it down with water - no tricks. On about the fourth day of taking it, I began to notice that the usual afternoon heaviness in the liver and stomach area was going away. I already eat modestly, but it was heavy. And then it became easier. I began to feel sick less often, but this happened in the mornings and on public transport. In short, I took one course, rested from the miracle powder for 10 days, and took a second course. I didn't find any side effects.

Nastasya: I heard about milk thistle meal from some doctor-blogger. And I decided that I had to try it. I didn’t find any contraindications in the instructions, so I bought it and started taking it according to the regimen. First and most importantly, the analyzes have improved. Secondly, my skin became noticeably cleaner, I was even allowed peeling, which had been prohibited for 3 years due to constant skin rashes. Third, my general condition has improved. I had a hormonal problem that I treated for 6 months with 4 types of medications. And the liver, of course, suffered from such a lethal treatment. I felt it and saw it in the tests. But milk thistle really helped me. I never expected this from a product that cost 80 rubles.

Side effects and contraindications

This plant does not cause harm to the body, no matter what part of it you encounter - milk thistle fruits, seeds and leaves are equally healthy and safe, if you do not take into account individual intolerance, remember the dosages. However, doctors draw patients' attention to the likelihood of discomfort in the right hypochondrium in people with cirrhosis of the liver and cholelithiasis, which is not a reason for discontinuation. There are no strict contraindications to taking the drug, only a recommendation to be careful:

• pregnant women;
• in children 3-12 years old;
• with exacerbation of cholelithiasis, gastritis;
• asthmatics.

Interesting facts about Silybum

• Milk thistle is called spotted because of the white spots on the leaves. According to legend, this plant is a gift from the Virgin Mary herself, because it can relieve many ailments as the most powerful medicinal plant. And the light spots are her milk.
• Milk thistle is a biennial plant when grown wild. But if you cultivate it, it only lives for one year.
• To obtain raw materials that will be used for medicinal purposes, it is cultivated in Russia on areas of approximately 10,000 hectares, in Ukraine - 5,000 hectares, and in China - 100,000 hectares.
• Historical documents speak of the appearance of thistles 2000 years ago. The ancient Greeks knew it; they prepared decoctions from its fruits.

Video about the benefits of milk thistle, its recipes and application tips:

How to choose quality meal

Experts recommend making a purchase not through an online pharmacy, but offline, when it is possible to assess the condition of the product - this is especially important for powder. You need to make sure that the expiration dates do not expire: milk thistle seeds contain oils that will gradually cause the powder to oxidize. If we consider the forms in which it is produced, you can buy any: they are equally effective.

Milk thistle meal in capsules

It is easier to take this form of dietary supplement: you do not feel an unpleasant taste, you may not smell it, and swallowing smooth capsules is easier than pushing a wet, swelling powder into yourself. However, you must be sure that the meal enclosed in the shell is completely ripe - the contents of the capsules will be dark in color (less often brown). If it's light, don't buy it.

Powder form

The classic meal format has a lower price, but low-quality products are more common here than with capsules. Try to buy a product produced in the southern regions and sold only in transparent bags - this way you can examine the structure of the meal and make sure that it has not caked, has not begun to go rancid, or has any by-products in its composition. Keep in mind that cake is the result of seed processing, so it is characterized by heterogeneity.

General admission rules

Regardless of what disease you are going to treat with meal, there is one general rule that must be followed. Otherwise, you risk not achieving the desired results and wasting your time.

This rule implies a complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages in any form, and any fatty foods for the entire course of treatment!

I even recommend shifting the framework a little and starting to apply this rule 2 weeks before the start of treatment in order to better prepare the sick body. Believe me, nothing but good will come from this!

Milk thistle meal price

The advantage of this product is its availability: a simple powder in St. Petersburg and Moscow can be found at a price of 26 rubles per pack weighing 100 g. There are often no problems with the availability of meal in pharmacies and, if necessary, you can order the product to a selected point, but in In some cases, shipping costs will be added. The price picture for Moscow pharmacies can be tracked in the table:

Dermatology

In most cases, skin problems are caused by parasites or the presence of a large amount of toxins in the body. It is possible that the disease was a consequence of excessive nervous tension. The problem can also be caused by disturbances in metabolic processes. Regardless of the reasons, the benefits of milk thistle meal have been repeatedly proven in practice. To begin with, you should take the cake in dry form.

During the day you need to consume 2 or 3 times 1 tablespoon of cake. You need to drink water, no more than half a glass. Gentle cleansing is carried out over 20 days.

Starting from the 11th day, additional use of infusions and decoctions is permissible. These funds can also be used after the main 20-day course has ended. There are no restrictions on the use of teas based on milk thistle cake. The drink can be combined with the above remedies, starting on the first day.

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