What is milk thistle and what is it for?
Native to the Mediterranean, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for thousands of years throughout Europe for its powerful and varied medicinal virtues and, especially, for being liver protector and an excellent remedy for liver conditions.
The adjective «Marian» comes from a legend according to which the Virgin Mary dyed the leaves white of this plant with the milk of her breast when she tried to hide Jesus from Herod’s persecution; that’s why it is also called «milk thistle» or «milk thistle».
Characteristics of milk thistle
This thorny plant grows wild on dry, sunny soilsalthough it is also grown as an ornamental plant.
- With a maximum height of one and a half meters, it presents a very robust and branched stem.
- Their leaves are large and lobed and have a grayish green color dotted with white spots.
- The flowerswith a tone purpleare arranged in a terminal head that reminds of a small artichoke.
- The milk thistle seeds They are black and shiny.
Properties of milk thistle: silymarin
Milk thistle contains a small proportion of a fatty oil, as well as proteins, tyramine, bitter ingredients and a substance called silymarin to which a high protective effect on the liver.
The silymarin, contained in the seedshas the ability to strengthen the cell membranes of the liver, preventing the absorption of toxic products that could damage it and at the same time stimulating protein synthesis and bile secretion. With this extract they prepare capsules and drops.
For all this, it gives the milk thistle its valuable medicinal properties:
- It is used to treat various liver conditionssuch as, for example, the infections caused due to ingestion of poisonous mushrooms wave acute hepatitis.
- It is also indicated to combat migraines and neuralgia
- No less important is its virtue as antihemorrhagic, which makes it an especially useful remedy to treat heavy periods, hemorrhoids, nosebleeds and varicose veins.
Natural remedies with milk thistle
Milk thistle infusion to reduce liver inflammation
It is prepared by mixing, in equal parts, milk thistle (the crushed “artichoke” with its seeds included), angelicaroot of gentianleaves artichoke, centaury, calendula, mint, boldo leaves and cachurrera (Xanthium spinosum).
How to prepare it: Take a tablespoon of this mixture for every half glass of water and soak it overnight. The next day it is strained and drunk on an empty stomach.
A simple alternative is to mix a teaspoon of seedsmilk thistle in a yogurt.
Infusion to treat alcoholic hepatitis
There is a formula that is made by mixing one tablespoon of milk thistle with two of cachurrera.
How to prepare it: Boil the mixture for 5 minutes dissolved in a liter of water and let it rest, covered, for 5 more minutes. To improve its flavor you can add a little mint in the last boil.
Milk thistle infusion for menstruation
To normalize heavy periods, an infusion is prepared that is obtained by mixing, in equal parts, milk thistle with shepherd’s purse, nettle and horsetail in a proportion of three tablespoons for every liter of water.
To prevent menstrual discomfortyou can drink a cup daily, on an empty stomach, for the nine days before your period.
To reduce dizziness and vomiting during a trip
In this case it is enough to take a milk thistle tea.
Contraindications and precautions
- The consumption of milk thistle can cause in some people gastrointestinal disorders.
- It is not recommended in case of hypertensionwell you can have effects on blood pressure.
- Since it alters the ability of coagulationit is not recommended before or after a surgery.
Advisor: Trini Ferrán, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”)