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Milk Thistle Or Carduus marianus, Holy thistle, Mary thistle, St. Mary's thistle, Silybum marianum, wild artichoke.
Benefits of Milk Thistle / Holy Thistle: Milk Thistle / Holy Thistle contains the bioflavonoid mixture silymarin, which protects the liver against hepatitis, cirrhosis, and toxins such as carbon tetrachloride, alcohol, and
the poisonous Amanita mushroom. It may also help protect the liver from otherwise beneficial pharmaceuticals such as antianxiety drugs, antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Mevacor (lovastatin), and high doses of Tylenol (acetaminophen) and iron. Milk thistle may even reverse damage that has already occurred. Studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association have revealed that at least three-quarters of all adult Americans show at least some sign of chronic liver damage — which could manifest itself as irritability, fatigue, malaise, anxiety, depression, and mild intellectual impairment — possibly indicating that this may be an important herb to add to the diet. This bioflavonoid mixture may also be useful in preventing or treating gallstones and in relieving the symptoms of psoriasis. It has shown promise in treating liver disorders and hepatitis (including chronic hepatitis). Silymarin and its basic component silybin may protect cell membranes from free radicals through antioxidant properties.
Important Other Benefits and Properties of Milk Thistle:
Antioxidant: Silymarin, an active ingredient in the milk thistle complex, is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals that cause cellular damage. Milk thistle extract also motivates other compounds that have antioxidative properties such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase.
Glutathione; a vital substance for the detoxification of the liver. In one study, milk thistle use raised the glutathione levels in the body more than 30%; this in turn meant that the liver was more effective at cleansing the body and eliminating toxic substances.
Alcohol-Related Diseases: Another benefit of milk thistle is its ability to work as a guardian to the liver and prevent the toxicity caused by alcohol consumption. Consuming alcohol in large amounts causes the liver to work overtime and in the long term causes serious liver disease such as cirrhosis. Milk thistle use helps to repair and regenerate liver cells, and also helps to block fibrosis, which if not treated can lead to cirrhosis.
Liver-Diseases: The major health benefits of milk thistle is the fact that this herb has been found to be an effective medicinal treatment in patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis, alcohol-induced liver damage, and hepatitis. Actually, milk thistle benefits all kinds of liver toxicity. Learn more about milk thistle and hepatitis C.
Gallstones: Milk thistle stimulates the bile flow and is helpful in both preventing and treating gallstones.
Cancer-Fighting Properties: Although there have been no clinical studies carried out on humans, laboratory studies indicate that silibinin, an active compound of silymarin , is effective in fighting cancer cells found in prostate, cervical, and breast cancers The use of milk thistle has helped to reduce the cancer cell growth and has also improved the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.
Benefits of Milk Thistle / Holy Thistle: Milk Thistle / Holy Thistle contains the bioflavonoid mixture silymarin, which protects the liver against hepatitis, cirrhosis, and toxins such as carbon tetrachloride, alcohol, and
the poisonous Amanita mushroom. It may also help protect the liver from otherwise beneficial pharmaceuticals such as antianxiety drugs, antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Mevacor (lovastatin), and high doses of Tylenol (acetaminophen) and iron. Milk thistle may even reverse damage that has already occurred. Studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association have revealed that at least three-quarters of all adult Americans show at least some sign of chronic liver damage — which could manifest itself as irritability, fatigue, malaise, anxiety, depression, and mild intellectual impairment — possibly indicating that this may be an important herb to add to the diet. This bioflavonoid mixture may also be useful in preventing or treating gallstones and in relieving the symptoms of psoriasis. It has shown promise in treating liver disorders and hepatitis (including chronic hepatitis). Silymarin and its basic component silybin may protect cell membranes from free radicals through antioxidant properties.
Important Other Benefits and Properties of Milk Thistle:
Antioxidant: Silymarin, an active ingredient in the milk thistle complex, is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals that cause cellular damage. Milk thistle extract also motivates other compounds that have antioxidative properties such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase.
Glutathione; a vital substance for the detoxification of the liver. In one study, milk thistle use raised the glutathione levels in the body more than 30%; this in turn meant that the liver was more effective at cleansing the body and eliminating toxic substances.
Alcohol-Related Diseases: Another benefit of milk thistle is its ability to work as a guardian to the liver and prevent the toxicity caused by alcohol consumption. Consuming alcohol in large amounts causes the liver to work overtime and in the long term causes serious liver disease such as cirrhosis. Milk thistle use helps to repair and regenerate liver cells, and also helps to block fibrosis, which if not treated can lead to cirrhosis.
Liver-Diseases: The major health benefits of milk thistle is the fact that this herb has been found to be an effective medicinal treatment in patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis, alcohol-induced liver damage, and hepatitis. Actually, milk thistle benefits all kinds of liver toxicity. Learn more about milk thistle and hepatitis C.
Gallstones: Milk thistle stimulates the bile flow and is helpful in both preventing and treating gallstones.
Cancer-Fighting Properties: Although there have been no clinical studies carried out on humans, laboratory studies indicate that silibinin, an active compound of silymarin , is effective in fighting cancer cells found in prostate, cervical, and breast cancers The use of milk thistle has helped to reduce the cancer cell growth and has also improved the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.
How to Use Milk Thistle In Your Diet?
• Diluted Milk Thistle Tincture: Add a few drops to a glass of water.
• Powdered Seeds: Sprinkle this powder on your burgers, smoothies, and salads.
• Milk Thistle as Salad Ingredient: Add milk thistle stalks, leaves, flowers, and roots to your diet as an ingredient in salads and cooked meals.
• Tea: Milk thistle is available as packaged tea, or can be used in home-made tea. To do this put crushed milk thistle leaves and seeds in a muslin bag. Steep the bag in hot water for five minutes. Add honey for flavor.
• As Smoothie ingredient: Milk thistle can be made into a delicious smoothie. Soak ground milk thistle seeds in water overnight. Then add chopped lycium berries and some lemon juice.
• Fruit Juice: Crushed milk thistle seeds can also be added to fruit juice.
Milk Thistle Supplements: These supplements come in the form of capsules, tablets, tinctures, and gels.
Milk thistle dosage: Ideal dosage is 100-250 mg per day. But excessive consumption may cause adverse effects including itching, nausea, stomach ache, headache, and skin rashes.
Remember: Consult your doctor if you have any severe problem like liver cirrhosis.
Milk Thistle is readily available in the market in capsule form.
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Thanks for this informative and good article on milk thistle.
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