milk thistle
Botanical name: Silybum marianum Other name: Mary thistle, Holy thistle,
Lady’s thistle
Description:
• Milk thistle is a thistle of the genus Silybum Adan., a flowering plant of the daisy family.
• It is native to the Mediterranean regions.
• The name “milk thistle” derives from two features of the leaves: they are
mottled with splashes of white and they contain a milky sap.
Part used: mainly the ripe fruits or seeds of the milk thistle are used. Sometime the root or aerial parts are used.
Phytochemicals: ginkgo contains
- Flavonolignands - Silychristin - Betaine - Flavonoids - Silymarin
- Silybinin
- Isosilybinin
Medicinal properties
• Silymarin of milk thistle exerts a liver
protective effect against toxins; to prevent
toxins from entering the liver cells and
stimulates the formation of new liver cells. It is used to treat viral hepatitis and jaundice.
• Silymarin, the main phytochemicals of milk thistle has strong anti-oxidant activity and may have anti-cancer effects.
• milk thistle can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, while increasing the HDL (good) cholesterol.
• It is used to treat poisoning from death cap mushrooms.
Available Forms
• Capsules of standardized dried herb (eash capsule contains about 120-140 mg silymarin)
• Liquid extracts
• Tinctures
• Silymarin phosphatidylcholine complex
Precautions
• Side effects are usually mild and may involve stomach upset and diarrhea. • Milk thistle can produce allergic reactions, which tend to be more common
among people who are allergic to plants in the same family.
• Pregnant and nursing women should not take.
• It may lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes or hypoglycemia
should use caution.