Milk thistle - medicinal properties of the herb. Uses of milk thistle

Milk thistle herb - its properties and uses

This medicinal raw material – milk thistle or milk thistle – is used in many recipes of official and traditional medicine. All parts of the plant are used - seeds, roots, leaves. The beneficial properties of milk thistle are based on the substance silymarin, which is a natural hepatoprotector and has a powerful antioxidant effect. With the help of milk thistle you get:

• neutralize toxins;
• protect, restore cell membranes;
• intensify the growth of new ones;
• synthesize protein compounds;
• produce bile.

The benefit of milk thistle is that the medicinal components included in the composition contribute to:

• normalization of metabolic processes;
• wound healing;
• establishing hormone balance;
• normalization of blood circulation;
• eliminating inflammation;
• regulation of water metabolism;
• strengthening the immune system;
• carrying out disinfection;
• general strengthening effect;
• preventing the formation of cancer cells.

Milk thistle is used in the form of oil, seeds, leaves, meal. Prescribed drugs for treatment:

• liver diseases;
• dysbacteriosis;
• problems with urination;
• gallbladder diseases;
• hemorrhoids;
• constipation;
• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• thyroid diseases;
• myopathies;
• radiculitis;
• baldness;
• stomatitis;
• dermatitis;
• allergic manifestations;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• peptic ulcer;
• arthritis.

A decoction is made from milk thistle root. To do this, it is dried and crushed. The leaves can be brewed and drunk as tea. The peculiarity of milk thistle is that when treated with heat, the content of useful substances decreases. It is recommended to use fresh leaves for salads and wound dressings after grinding. Milk thistle juice is used in treatment plans, which is used:

• for the purpose of wiping the skin of the face against rashes;
• for compresses on joints;
• Drink for constipation and colitis.

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Milk thistle - description of the plant

Milk thistle , also called milk thistle, is an annual or biennial member of the Asteraceae family. The plant's homeland is the Mediterranean region. But today the area of ​​medicinal culture is wide, covering Africa, Europe, America, and the central part of Asia.

The plant is considered a weed, which actively reproduces and is resistant to pesticides. But, despite its weedy origin, the herb is grown in Europe and China for pharmaceutical needs.

The weed type is a biennial, and the cultivated type is an annual. The smooth, slightly branched stem reaches 1.5 meters in height. The leaves are large, pinnately lobed, the lower surface is sinewy. The leaf skin is smooth, rich green, with white patches.

The flowers are white, pink or red-violet. The flower baskets are spherical in shape and wrapped in spiny leaves. The base of the inflorescence is soft and fleecy. The flowers are tubular in shape, heterosexual. Flowering occurs all summer. The fruit is a bitter achene .

Milk thistle oil - beneficial properties and contraindications

The use of the oil composition of a medicinal plant is very effective. Milk thistle preparations are used by cosmetologists to prepare masks to treat hair and improve facial skin tone. The use of milk thistle in dermatology has good reviews; it can be used to treat:

• psoriasis;
• burns;
• dermatitis;
• allergic rashes;
• ulcers;
• wounds, cracks.

Milk thistle oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids. If you take capsules orally, you can achieve good results:

• improve the elasticity of blood vessels;
• support the heart muscle;
• speed up recovery after radiation exposure;
• reduce cholesterol levels;
• improve the functioning of the pancreas;
• reduce pain;
• accelerate the healing of ulcers;
• increase bile production;
• improve blood clotting;
• prevent the development of diabetes.

When to collect and how to dry milk thistle?

The collection of achenes is carried out from August to October, when white fluff appears on the flower baskets. Harvesting roots and leaves is carried out in the fall after the achenes ripen.

The cut baskets with seeds are laid out on a wire rack lined with paper and dried with good ventilation, but without draft. The achenes are shaken out from the dried baskets onto paper and dried further. Ready seeds are stored in fabric bags in a ventilated room.

The roots and leaves are washed, crushed, and dried. Pour into glass jars with a lid.

Seeds are stored for 3 years, roots and leaves - for a year.

Milk thistle seeds - medicinal properties and contraindications

Plants in the form of seeds are used to prepare oil and meal, but the best method is germination. The active characteristics of milk thistle are enhanced. Due to the increased amount of bioflavonoids, nearby antioxidants are stimulated. The medicinal properties of sprouted grains help:

• strengthen intestinal motility;
• restore liver function;
• improve kidney function;
• boost immunity;
• accelerate wound healing;
• normalize the functioning of blood vessels.

When using milk thistle seeds for medicinal purposes, you must remember that it is not always beneficial for the body. It should be taken into account that as a result of using the drug, side effects may occur - discomfort, pain in the liver, diarrhea, allergic reactions. There are contraindications for use:

• the presence of large stones in the gall bladder - the likelihood of their movement;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• dyspnea;
• mental illness;
• drug intolerance;
• children under 12 years of age;
• pregnancy;
• lactation.

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Contraindications

The biggest advantage of this treatment is that it has virtually no contraindications.
There are some restrictions, but exceptions are possible in consultation with the doctor. It is better to refrain from thistle therapy:

• if the child is under 12 years old;
• if the patient has epilepsy, chronic inflammation;
• gallstone pathology;
• individual intolerance or allergy to the plant.

Important! Ground milk thistle achenes cannot be stored for a long time; as a result, their beneficial qualities are quickly lost. Therefore, grind only the amount you plan to use per day!

Milk thistle meal - benefits and harm

The use of this plant after seed processing has received excellent reviews. Milk thistle meal is obtained by grinding it into powder. Thanks to the large amount of fiber in the composition, the following occurs:

• purgation;
• stimulation of peristalsis;
• tissue restoration;
• removal of toxins, waste;
• nutrition of microflora;
• cholesterol reduction.

What are the benefits of milk thistle in the form of meal? The drug is taken for the following purposes:

• normalization of fat metabolism;
• treatment of liver diseases;
• improving bile excretion;
• pressure stabilization;
• reducing sugar levels;
• restoration of kidney function;
• treatment of skin diseases;
• stimulating the removal of toxins;
• reducing the harmful effects of chemotherapy.

How it is used in folk medicine

Milk thistle is one of the few plants that has received official recognition in traditional medicine. It is actively used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Not only the seeds, but also the leaves and roots of this plant are of particular value. When used correctly, you will be able to renew cells, speed up the process of regeneration and recovery. Thistle is of particular importance for the treatment of liver diseases.

Due to its unique actions, milk thistle is actively used in dietary supplements. Also, its extracts can be found in many medications that have general strengthening and protective effects.

In folk medicine, this plant is used quite often.

• Pain in the liver. You can get rid of discomfort in the area of ​​the right hypochondrium with the help of ground plant seeds. You can add them to any dishes or eat a teaspoon a day, while drinking plenty of water. The seeds are taken according to the following scheme: 3 times a day for a whole month. Please note that constipation may occur with prolonged use.
• Liver cleansing. Milk thistle oil will help remove all toxins and waste from the intestines. It can be purchased ready-made or made independently. On average, this recovery continues for a month, taking a teaspoon of oil before each meal.
• Cirrhosis of the liver. You can stop the development of this disease with milk thistle tea. With its help, it will also be possible to normalize the functioning of the remaining areas of healthy tissue. Dry herbs or powder are suitable for brewing tea. Drink this decoction every day on an empty stomach and immediately before bed. Alcohol tincture will also help cope with cirrhosis. Take a teaspoon of the medicine 3 times a day and continue this treatment for about a month.
• Burns. Thermal skin lesions respond well to treatment with milk thistle oil. Experts have long established that wounds treated with this remedy heal much faster. This remedy also relieves suppuration. Every day, treat the burn surface with the oil of this plant and apply a gauze bandage. Repeat the procedures until the area is completely healed.
• Joint pain. They can be defeated using a regular alcohol tincture. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, thanks to which it is possible to get rid of pain in the bones. To achieve excellent results, rub the alcohol tincture of the plant into your joints every evening in the evening, then wrap them in woolen clothes. Treatment must be continued until pain is completely relieved.
• Gastritis. Thistle will help stop the development of this disease. It has wound-healing, restorative, enveloping effects in the treatment of gastritis. To do this, you need to drink a special decoction every day. It is very simple to prepare: pour 50 grams of herbs with a liter of water, add a teaspoon of natural honey. Place the mixture on low heat and keep it there for an hour. After this, strain and cool the broth, take a glass before each meal.
• Varicose veins It will be possible to maintain healthy veins if you start milk thistle therapy on time. A mixture of the oil of this plant and a decoction of red licorice will help restore the normal state of blood vessels. These two components must be mixed in equal proportions, and then rubbed into areas with affected veins. There will be an effect from such exposure, but it will appear after 4-6 months of regular treatment.
• Skin diseases. Any lesions on the skin quickly disappear after treatment with milk thistle oil. To quickly get rid of pimples, blackheads, local irritations and inflammations, you need to lubricate the affected area with this product 2-3 times a day.
• For weight loss. Thanks to thistle, you can quickly get rid of excess body weight. Toxins, accumulating in the liver, interfere with the normal digestion of food, which is why excess fats can be retained in the body. To prevent this, take a teaspoon of meal per day or oil before meals. Seeds are considered no less effective in this matter - they are added to any dishes.

Milk thistle is a unique medicinal plant that will help get rid of serious diseases. It can also be used as a prevention of complications, for general strengthening and restoration of the body.

Milk thistle honey - beneficial properties

To enhance the active effect of the plant, fields are specially sown with it so that bees collect nectar. The resulting milk thistle honey helps improve health. If you take into account the contraindications - allergies and diabetes, then consuming this product will help:

• stabilize the work of the railway complex;
• reduce weight;
• produce bile;
• normalize liver functions;
• eliminate constipation.

The healing properties of milk thistle, when combined with honey, have a general strengthening effect and contribute to:

• stabilization of the nervous system;
• normalization of pressure;
• recovery after poisoning, intoxication;
• activation of metabolic processes;
• treatment of skin diseases;
• improvement of condition after chemotherapy;
• treatment of varicose veins.

Areas of use of seeds

These fruits are used to treat gallstone pathology, intestinal infections with toxic substances, and alcohol intoxication.
A number of common pharmacological drugs for liver therapy (Karsil, Silibor, Hepatinol) are produced based on thistle fruits. But the consumption of natural seeds is naturally much more effective, and their strengthening effect on the body is much more extensive. People use the fruits for toothache and diarrhea. Crushed achenes cure varicose veins, lower blood sugar levels, etc. It is also widely used in the treatment of dermatological pathologies, these are: scaly lichen, vesicle, hair loss.

Milk thistle for the liver

The medicinal properties of milk thistle have proven their effectiveness in healing the liver. The product is a powerful herbal hepatoprotector that helps protect the walls of the organ from the penetration of harmful substances. Milk thistle is prescribed to be taken for treatment:

• cholelithiasis;
• hepatitis A;
• cholecystitis;
• cirrhosis;
• fatty infiltration.

Cleansing the liver with milk thistle has received good reviews - due to its antioxidant properties, toxic substances are quickly eliminated. The use of the plant promotes:

• relieving inflammation;
• liquefaction, removal of bile;
• accelerating cell regeneration;
• reducing the likelihood of stone formation;
• removing fat from cells;
• formation of healthy cells.

Healthy recipes

The drug is produced as follows: 30 grams of crushed fruits are poured into 0.5 liters of warm water and boiled in a water bath until the composition has evaporated by 50%, then filtered and consumed 15 ml (1 tablespoon) every 60 minutes. The course of therapy is from 30 to 60 days.

Fruits crushed in a coffee grinder can be added to all dishes (porridge, soups, desserts, etc.), used as breading, etc. Thistle will do its job in almost any application. It is important that all components of the fruit end up in the digestive system in their natural form.

What are the benefits of the plant

In fact, you can see only two types of milk thistle in nature, but only one of them is used to create medicines; the spotted variety has many beneficial properties, and it will be much easier to find. The seeds and leaves contain a huge amount of trace elements, minerals, as well as essential oils and other useful components, which, according to reviews, help to have a healing effect on the cleansing organ.

It is not uncommon for the drug in tablets to be prescribed to those patients who have inflammation in the liver organ; the drug also has an antibacterial effect, which will have a positive effect on the course of the disease. Thanks to the special properties of the substances in this drug, the regenerative functions of internal organs are noticeably accelerated, this helps the cleansing organ recover faster from illness. Next, a more detailed composition of the medicine will be described, as well as why it is taken specifically to treat the liver.

Chemical composition

The drug should be used for liver pathologies and for weight loss. Milk thistle seeds contain the following beneficial substances:

• flavonoids;
• vitamins K, B1, B5, B3, B9;
• trace elements (potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, vanadium, boron, chromium and others);
• antioxidants;
• amino acids (isoleucine, lysine, valine, tryptophan);
• enzymes;
• minerals;
• silymarin.

Due to the fact that milk thistle contains more than 200 substances, it is included in the list of medicines and many food supplements.

Conclusion

Of all the treatment options, buying milk thistle seeds is the most preferable, since neither oil nor meal can give such results. All useful substances are fully contained in the seeds! They are also present in oil, but in smaller volumes.

Meal is nothing more than a secondary product of processing the same seeds. In addition, we often sell very low quality meal and it is not possible to visually determine this quality. Powder is just that: powder.

Therefore, if you need meal, make it yourself, at home, from milk thistle seeds. Believe me, it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. This way you will receive a guarantee that your product is 100% high quality, and not a powder mixed with something unknown.

Source of information: https://givizaaltaya.ru/semena-rastoropshi-lechebnye-svojstva-protivopokazaniya/

Indications for use

The use of milk thistle-based preparations is recommended for the treatment of:

• Cholecystitis;
• Hepatitis A;
• Gallstone disease;
• Psoriasis;
• Inflammation of the biliary tract;
• Vitiligo;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Colitis;
• Thrombocytopathies;
• Jaundice;
• Liver cirrhosis;
• Radiculitis;
• Edema;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Ascites;
• Poisoning;
• Polyarthritis;
• Anemia;
• Fatty liver degeneration;
• Malaria;
• Cholangitis;
• Pancreatitis;
• Gastroduodenitis;
• Enterocolitis;
• Myopathies.

Oil

Milk thistle oil is obtained by cold pressing, while preserving the most valuable properties of the unique plant.

The effectiveness of the oil during treatment has been noted:

• biliary dyskinesia and cholelithiasis;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• diseases of the endocrine system, incl. diabetes;
• gynecological diseases;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• during rehabilitation treatment and rehabilitation.

Contraindications for the product include:

• is practically harmless, except for personal intolerance by the patient;
• with exacerbation of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis;
• It is better to take the oil under the supervision of a doctor and follow his recommendations.

Beneficial composition of the seeds of this plant

Milk thistle seeds are used for medicinal purposes. Their beneficial properties are so high due to their unique healing composition. Scientists have researched that the seed of this plant contains more than 200 different components that are especially valuable for the human body. This:

• macroelements (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron);
• trace elements (copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, boron, chromium, iodine);
• vitamins (retinol, D, tocopherol acetate, K);
• The substance silymarin is a promising drug for the treatment of liver diseases.

Scientists have proven that silymarin can suppress the development of peritonitis and polyarthritis. In addition, this substance prevents the penetration of toxic compounds into liver cells. Silymarin decomposed poisons before they entered the above-mentioned organ.

Milk thistle seeds also contain flavolignans (silibin, silicristin, silydianin), essential and fatty oils, biogenic amines, resins, factor T. Thanks to the latter component, the level of platelets in the blood increases. The main flavonoid in the seeds of this plant is quercetin.

The lipid complex consists of phospholipids, acylglycerols and tocopherols.

Indications for use

Milk thistle tablets for the liver are used as a natural herbal hepatoprotector. They are necessary to maintain the condition of the liver in case of liver diseases or for the purpose of prevention. Indications for the use of such drugs may be:

• poisoning (intoxication) with food, poisonous gases, heavy metals and other compounds that can destroy the liver;
• chronic inflammation (hepatitis) of infectious and non-infectious origin;
• as part of complex treatment of liver cirrhosis;
• hepatosis (fatty infiltration of the liver);
• rehabilitation period after acute viral hepatitis;
• various disorders of fat metabolism.

Milk thistle for the liver in tablets is an affordable remedy that can be found in any pharmacy. It is harmless to the body, so it can also be taken for preventive purposes. Thus, hepatoprotectors are useful for employees of industrial or chemical enterprises or factories where the risk of poisoning by volatile compounds is increased. In addition, the capsules are useful after taking medications that can irritate the liver and cause inflammation.

Preparations based on milk thistle

Other preparations based on milk thistle and the substance silymarin it contains:

• Karsil: price 310-372 rubles;
• Karsil Forte: price 310-372 rubles;
• Legalon 140: price 381-681 rubles;
• Legalon 70: price 178-443 rubles;
• Phosphonziale: price 300-400 rub.

Liposil (RUB 350-500) is made from milk thistle. It is especially effective for liver intoxication caused by alcohol (relieves hangover), poor-quality food or medications (especially after treatment with antibiotics). It binds toxic substances and helps remove them from the body. Liposil prevents the formation of gallstones, regulates cholesterol levels and the development of heart diseases.

Effective for developing cirrhosis and hepatic dystrophy. Due to these properties, doctors often prescribe Liposil in combination with the treatment of other diseases. Since Liposil also contains sucrose and starch, it is contraindicated for diabetics.

A variety of Liposil - Liposil Plus - is enriched with vitamins and selenium, which enhances the therapeutic effect. Analogues of Liposil: Karsil, Gepabene, Evalar. In addition to tablets, dietary supplements are produced in the form of meal, oil and capsules.

To cleanse the liver, milk thistle is taken in decoction, oil, tea, and dry seeds.

For decoction 2 tsp. seeds of the plant, pour half a liter of water, boil until half the volume over low heat. After straining, drink 1 tbsp of the decoction. between meals.

Milk thistle oil is sold ready-made in pharmacies. You should drink it a teaspoon before meals for two months. A positive result is sometimes achieved within a couple of weeks after use. Tea is brewed as usual in the proportion of 1 tsp. milk thistle leaves or seeds per glass of boiling water. Drink the infused drink in four doses. If the tea has cooled down, you need to slightly heat it by steaming.

You can take the seeds in dry form, simply throwing them into water, or chew them like regular food (after meals). Milk thistle seeds contain valuable microelements such as iron, potassium and copper.

In addition to the seeds themselves, powder from them is used. The powder must be washed down with a large volume of water - at least a glass of water per teaspoon of seeds, three times a day before meals. The course of taking the meal is at least 40 days, then, after a 10-day break, it can be repeated.

Positive reviews from the use of natural preparations from milk thistle are due to the fact that, for example, Silymarin is the only antidote for poisoning with toadstool. In case of hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, it sharply reduces the progression of the disease. There are cases when the hepatitis virus completely disappears. But there is no reliable information on this matter.

Negative reviews are mainly due to the fact that the effectiveness of alcohol intoxication has not been reliably identified. For hepatitis B, no particular effectiveness was noted either. In the acute stages of hepatitis C disease, no significant improvements are observed either. The same can be said for existing fatty hepatosis.

Reviews from doctors about the duration of treatment with milk thistle agree that the period of its use is related to the degree of liver damage and the age of the patient. Due to the fact that this is a completely herbal preparation, its effect is not as pronounced as that of synthetic drugs, therefore, in order to feel relief from the condition of the liver, you need to drink milk thistle for a long time with short breaks.

If a person worked in a hazardous industry, then the drug with milk thistle should be taken in combination with others that have a stronger effect. Sometimes it is enough to start the recovery process, and the liver will continue it itself, because the liver is the most efficient human organ.

In addition to the listed diseases, silymarin in milk thistle helps fight liver obesity - even when traditional medicine does not bring results. Doctors believe that drugs with the addition of milk thistle speed up the recovery process for hepatitis associated with alcohol abuse. But cure is only possible if the drinker stops drinking alcoholic beverages.

Doctors explain the long-term use of milk thistle by the fact that silymarin is effective only with constant feeding, at a certain concentration, and it is not absorbed immediately. Therefore, decoctions and teas from it are taken for a long time and in large dosages, like tablet preparations.

We must not forget that silymarin is destroyed by light and heat, so for maximum benefit it is better to use drugs with silymarin in alcohol tinctures, powder forms or capsules. In decoctions and teas, the content of silymarin is reduced, which means that its therapeutic effect is reduced. That is why tablets and capsules are the most convenient option for consuming silymarin contained in milk thistle.

What diseases does it help with?

Today, as for many centuries, milk thistle helps with:

• diseases of the liver and gall bladder;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• various metabolic disorders;
• gastrointestinal disorders;
• vascular diseases.

This is only a small part of the indications for the use of this plant and preparations from it. However, there are a number of conditions and diseases in which milk thistle may have a negative effect.

Milk thistle tablets list of drugs and instructions

In pharmacies you can find a large number of milk thistle tablets with different names. They are identical in composition, so they can be used as analogues. They contain different amounts of the active substance, so when replacing a medicine with a product with a similar effect, you should read the instructions.

There are various milk thistle-based liver remedies on the market. They contain identical active ingredients in different concentrations. Such preparations are produced not only in the form of tablets - you can purchase milk thistle meal or oil, as well as the fruits of this plant in dried, crushed form. However, it is the tablet form that is considered the most convenient to use. It has several advantages:

• It is very difficult to prepare raw materials yourself - in order for the active substances to remain in the required concentration, the plant must be collected in environmentally friendly places and stored correctly;
• the tablets contain an exact dosage of plant extract, designed for 1 dose;
• the drug contains only healthy plant extract, without impurities, dyes and flavors.

Products based on milk thistle extract can be found in any pharmacy TIP! More information about how to take milk thistle products for the treatment and prevention of liver diseases can be found in the instructions or from your doctor. Some products contain a smaller amount of active ingredient and are designed for a longer course of treatment.

What is in milk thistle?

In the process of research, German scientists found that in addition to silymarin, milk thistle contains many macro- and microelements, as well as fat-soluble vitamins such as quercetin, flavolignan, biogenic amines, carotenoids, essential (polyunsaturated) acids and essential oils - in total more than 200 different components. Thanks to this, it is included in many biologically active additives and various medicines.

special instructions

Milk thistle is used with extreme caution for hormonal disorders due to its pronounced estrogen-like effect.

Effect on driving ability

Milk thistle is a natural herbal remedy that does not affect the central nervous system. Therefore, during therapy it is not prohibited to drive a car or engage in hazardous activities.

Pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy, the plant extract is taken extremely carefully, and only under the supervision of a doctor. There are no restrictions for the lactation period, the instructions do not indicate

Kidney diseases

The medicine is used in urology to treat some kidney diseases, but is not used for renal failure.

Liver lesions

The main indications for taking the medicine are considered to be any liver pathology, even the most severe. Therefore, milk thistle is allowed to be used for liver diseases, including liver failure.