Milk Thistle: Effects and Areas of Application
Milk thistle is often used as a medicinal plant for the liver. But is it really suitable for detoxification? You can find out here what effects it has.
Milk Thistle: Effects and areas of application
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) originates from the Mediterranean region and is now widespread throughout Europe. The plant grows between 20 and 50 cm long and immediately catches the eye with its purple flowers. The wicker has been known as a medicinal plant for a long time. And this is how the milk thistle works:
Effects
Milk thistle is especially known for its liver health. Milk thistle fruits contain high-fat oil and plenty of protein. The seeds also contain silymarin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Silymarin is a mixture of active substances which is composed of so-called flavonolignans: silibinin, isosilibinin, silychristin and silydianin. Researchers have found out that silymarin protects the outer shell of the liver cells, i.e. toxic substances have a harder time penetrating the cells. And silymarin helps the liver recover more quickly after damage.
The areas of application
Milk thistle is used, for example, for liver diseases such as jaundice or hepatitis. If the liver is repeatedly or permanently damaged, doctors speak of liver fibrosis. However, a single injury such as hepatitis does not usually lead to fibrosis. However, it can be caused by medication, alcohol abuse or a non-alcoholic fatty liver. The medicinal plant milk thistle is also used in cases of liver fibrosis.
Milk thistle is also part of the treatment for tuber leaf fungus poisoning. Milk thistle and medicinal charcoal are used to bind the toxins of the bulbous leaf fungus in the body as they destroy the liver. If the treatment is not applied as soon as possible, the liver decomposition continues.
Milk thistle extract is available in various forms: tablets, powder, capsules and tea. Tea contains too little silymarin to have a liver-protecting effect. However, milk thistle tea can help with mild digestive problems, for example.
Milk thistle should only be taken in consultation with a doctor, however. Anyone who is allergic to wicker flowers should keep their hands off the medicinal plant.