What Is It
Known by its botanical name, Silybum marianum, as well as
by its principal active ingredient, silymarin, milk thistle
is a member of the sunflower family. The purple flowers and
milky white leaf veins of this herb, which early settlers
brought from Europe to North America, are common sight along
the East Coast and in California; the plant also grows as
a weed in other parts of the United States and around the
world. It blooms from June through August, and the shiny black
seeds used for medicinal purposes are collected at the end
of summer.
What Does It Do
Milk thistle is one of the most extensively studied and documented
herbs in use today. Scientific research continues to validate
its healing powers, particularly for the treatment of liver-related
disorders. Most of its effectiveness stems from a complex
of three liver-protecting compounds, collectively known as
silymarin, which constitutes 4% to 6% of the ripe seeds.
Common Uses
• Protects the liver from toxins, including drugs, poisons,
and chemicals.
• Treats liver disorders, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
• Reduces liver damage from excessive alcohol.
• Aids in the treatment and prevention of gallstones.
• Helps clear psoriasis.
Major Benefits
Among the most important benefits of milk thistle is its ability
to fortify the liver, which is one of the body's most important
organs, second in size only to the skin. The liver processes
nutrients, many drugs, chemical pollutants, and alcohol. Milk
thistle helps enhance and strengthen this vital organ by preventing
the depletion of glutathione, an amino acid-like compound
that is essential to the detoxifying process. What's more,
studies show milk thistle can increase glutathione concentration
by up to 35%.This herb is also an effective gatekeeper, limiting
the number of toxins the liver processes at any given time.
Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant as well. Even more
potent than vitamins C and E, it helps prevent damage from
highly reactive free-radical molecules. Furthermore, it promotes
the regeneration of healthy, new liver cells, which replace
old and damaged ones. Milk thistle eases a range of serious
liver ailments, including viral infections (hepatitis) and
scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).This herb is so potent that
it's sometimes given in an injectable form in the emergency
room to combat the life-threatening, liver-obliterating effects
of poisonous mushrooms. In addition, because excessive alcohol
depletes glutathione, milk thistle can aid in protecting the
livers of alcoholics and those recovering from alcohol abuse.
Additional Benefits
In cancer patients, milk thistle limits the potential for
drug-induced damage to the liver after chemotherapy treatments,
and it speeds recovery by hastening removal of toxic substances
that can accumulate in the body. The herb also reduces the
inflammation and may slow the skin cell proliferation associated
with psoriasis. It may be useful for endometriosis (the most
common cause of infertility in women) because it helps the
liver process the hormone estrogen, which at high levels can
make pain and other symptoms worse. Finally, milk thistle
can be beneficial in preventing or treating gallstones by
improving the flow of bile, the cholesterol-laden digestive
juice that travels from the liver through the gallbladder
and into the intestine, where it helps to digest fats.
How To Take It
Dosage: The recommended dose for milk thistle is
up to 250 mg of standardized extract (containing 70% to 80%
silymarin) three times a day. It is often combined with other
herbs and nutrients, such as dandelion, choline, methionine,
and inositol. This combination may be labeled "liver
complex" or "lipotropic factors" ("lipotropic"
refers to the formula's fat-metabolizing properties; it prevents
the buildup of fatty substances in the liver). For proper
dosage, follow package directions.
Guidelines For Use: Milk thistle seems most
effective when taken between meals. Its benefits may be noticeable
within a week or two, though long-term treatment is often
needed for chronic conditions. The herb appears to be safe,
even for pregnant and lactating women. No interactions with
other medications have been noted.
Possible side effects
Virtually no side effects have been attributed to the use
of milk thistle, which is considered one of the safest herbs on the market. However, in some people it may have a slight
laxative effect for a day or two.
|
