Milk thistle is one of the best known herbal medicines for strengthening liver function. It was already known as a remedy in ancient times and was used for various ailments as early as the Middle Ages.
Occurrence and cultivation of milk thistle.
Milk thistle strengthens the membrane of liver cells and protects them from the penetration of toxic substances. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), also called wild artichoke, among others, belongs to the genus of composite plants and originally comes from North Africa and Southern Europe. From there it reached Central Europe in the Middle Ages, where it grows up to 1.50 m high, mainly in warmer regions and dry areas. Its leaves are spiny at the edges and have white marbling in the leaf veins. This marbling is typical of milk thistle and gave it its name. According to legend, a few drops of milk fell on the leaves of a thistle when St. Mary was nursing the baby Jesus. The ball-like flowers of the milk thistle, only about 5 cm in size, are purple, the plant blooms in July and August. In August/September, fruits with seeds develop from the flowers, to which a corolla of hairs (pappus) is still attached at first, as in the dandelion, but this is quickly shed and has no use in medicinal production.
Effect and application
Milk thistle has a long tradition as a medicinal plant. Already in ancient times, its healing properties were known and in the Middle Ages, it was already cultivated in monastery gardens. In old herbal books, for example in Hildegard von Bingen, one finds recipes for thistle infusions against stinging abdominal pain, cramps, bleeding, hot flashes and to stimulate the flow of milk. Paracelsus also knew about its effect against stabbing pains. Today it is known mainly for its beneficial effect on the liver. This was discovered in the mid-19th century by the physician Johann Gottfried Rademacher. Milk thistle is considered one of the most effective natural remedies for supporting liver function in digestion and detoxification of the body. Various scientific studies prove its positive effect on the liver. The fruits of milk thistle are used for medicines. They contain an active ingredient mixture of silymarin, a flavonoid mixture, fatty acids and protein, which is located directly under the skin. The main active ingredient is silymarin. Milk thistle is mainly used as a finished preparation. It is available as a highly concentrated dry extract in pharmacies. In addition, it is available as tablets, capsules or dragées with a certain content of silymarin. A daily dose of 200 – 400 g of silymarin is recommended. If one suffers from severe liver problems, a higher dose should be taken for about 2 weeks, after which the dose can be lowered again. In general, a tea made from milk thistle extract is not as effective because the silymarin does not dissolve in water, but it can help with bile problems and digestive problems. To prepare the tea, take 2 teaspoons of milk thistle fruit, crush it and pour 150 ml of boiling water over it. Then let the tea steep for 10 – 15 minutes and then pour it through a sieve. For a 6-week cure, you can drink 3 to 4 cups per day.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Milk thistle is by far the most effective remedy for liver disease. It even surpasses synthetic drugs in its effect. The dried herb and the fruits are used. Milk thistle protects liver cells from toxins, regenerates them, has antioxidant effects and improves fat digestion by stimulating bile flow. Because of its positive efficacy in chronic liver inflammation, liver cirrhosis and liver damage due to poisoning, which has been proven by scientific studies, it has been approved by the Federal Health Office as an official medicinal plant for internal use. Milk thistle strengthens the membrane of liver cells and protects them from the penetration of toxic substances. The silymarin also ensures that the liver recovers better after damage. Some studies have also shown that extracts from milk thistle fruits ensure that liver diseases, for example fatty liver, progress more slowly. Milk thistle helps in cases of poisoning, for example by mushrooms, and balances the effects of alcohol consumption. Milk thistle preparations are best used after consultation with a physician.Ready-made preparations help better than a tea infusion, because the ingredients dissolve poorly in water and the concentration in the tea is not high enough. However, a tea can help against bloating and flatulence. The main uses of milk thistle are:
- Acute liver inflammation due to poisoning (for example, by fungi, drugs and alcohol).
- Chronic liver damage caused by toxins, drugs, alcohol and viruses.
- Liver weakness after acute severe illness, for example, flu, surgery, burns.
- Liver weakness in chronic diseases such as rheumatism.
- Liver strengthening and detoxification
- Digestive complaints
Side effects hardly occur. People with an allergy to daisy should better not take them. Normally milk thistle preparations are well tolerated, but if they are taken in higher doses, flatulence and abdominal pain may occur. Occasionally, diarrhea may occur. During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, milk thistle preparations should be taken only after consulting a physician, including those with known allergies to daisy family plants. It is wise to seek advice from a physician as to which milk thistle preparation is appropriate.
