One of the many milk thistle benefits is the regeneration of hepatic cells. The prickles of thistles are defenses protecting a valuable medicinal treasure. Many people, however, dismiss these plants, thinking these are rough vegetables only fit for donkeys.
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Hence, this plant is named donkey thistle in many Latin countries despite its doubtless medicinal properties.
Indeed, donkeys eat thistles. But “intelligent” humans took many years to discover the milk thistle benefits, something those humble animals know by instinct. Many would be surprised to learn that a powerful substance against liver disorders is extracted from this thistle: Silymarin, which makes up several pharmaceutical preparations.
A legend says that the white stains on this thistle’s leaves were drops of milk from the Virgin Mary’s breast when she hid her Son from Herod’s persecution. On this basis, Middle Age physicians recommended this plant for increasing milk production in breastfeeding women.
Late scientific developments, which made it possible to know many plants’ chemical composition, allowed physicians to surrender many popular myths about plants. Hence, we can use medicinal herbs more effectively and steadily than before.
Scientific Facts
- Scientific synonyms: Carduus marianus L
- Synonyms: Saint Mary’s thistle
- French: Chardon Marie
- Spanish: Cardo Mariano
- Habitat: Typical Mediterranean species which also grows in Great Britain and North America in dry, rocky soils
- Description: A plant of prickly appearance, growing up two meters high, of the Compositae family, with large, thorny, white-stained leaves; its flower heads are pink or purple, and the fruits are hard, dark-colored
- Parts used: The fruits (seeds), the leaves, and the root
Milk Thistle Benefits
In the fruits of the milk thistle, there are substances with medicinal properties, the so-called flavonolignan. Dr. Coll (of the Pharmacognosis and Pharmacodynamics Laboratory of Barcelona’s Pharmacy College) points out that these complex substances are formed by a flavonoid (taxifolin) and a phenolpropanic molecule (coniferilic alcohol). The mixture of several types (isomers) of flavonolignans is called silymarin.
Silymarin is responsible for one of the many milk thistle benefits. It stimulates the regeneration of hepatic cells damaged by toxic substances such as ethyl alcohol or carbon tetrachloride and phalloidine, a substance in the Amanita phalloides, the most poisonous mushrooms.
Silymarin stimulates protein synthesis in hepatic cells and has essential anti-inflammatory properties on the liver’s mesenchyme (supporting fiber tissue).
Hence, milk thistle is highly recommended in the following cases:
- Fatty degeneration of the liver, both caused by alcohol or by other toxic substances.
- Inflammation of the liver is caused by medicines, such as those with anti-inflammatory, tuberculostatic, anovulatory, or psychological effects.
- Poisoning with hepatotoxic substances, such as carbon tetrachloride, organic-phosphoric insecticides, and mushrooms of the genus Amanita (Amanita phalloides, Amanita verna, Amanita virosa).
- Acute viral hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis (liver inflammation caused by alcoholic beverage consumption.
- Hepatic insufficiency or congestion, with or without jaundice.
- Hepatic cirrhosis
In all these cases, silymarin stimulates the regeneration of damaged liver cells and restores their normal functions. However, this plant does not entirely heal cirrhosis, nor any other treatment, if necrosis has already occurred. Nonetheless, even in the most severe cases, an improvement is expected.
The FRUITS of the milk thistle and, in less proportion, its leaves and root, contain other active substances (biogenic amines, essential oil, albuminoid substances, and tannin), which could explain its balancing action on the autonomic nervous system that controls the tone of blood vessels. Therefore, the plant is successfully used in the cases of:
- Migraines and neuralgias
- Exhaustion and asthenia
- Kinetosis (nausea and vomiting when traveling): drink herbal tea before departing.
- Allergic reactions: hay fever, asthma, nettle rash
Preparation and Use
- Salads: Young leaves without prickles and flower hearts (like artichokes) can be eaten raw, as Sahara Bedouins do. These are exquisite meals.
- Infusion or decoction: Some leaves or roots can be added with 30-50 g of mashed or ground fruits per liter of water. Drink from three to five cups daily. The dosage can be exceeded with no risk since milk thistle has no toxic side effects.
- Dry extract: The recommended dose is 0.5-1 g, thrice daily.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. You should not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, you should talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 395,396. Print.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541075/
- WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-138/milk-thistle
Last update on 2025-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API