The Astounding Benefits of Milk Thistle
Toxins are every where; in what we eat, drink and breathe. Add to that over the counter medications, prescribed medicines, fats, alcohol, and cigarettes, and you have an overworked liver. What are you doing to help yours?
At the writing of The Green Pharmacy in 1997 Dr James A. Duke wrote:
“The leading cause of liver disease is alcohol, which causes cirrhosis… Alcoholic liver disease is the fourth leading cause of death in (America) 25 to 64 year old men.”
Dr. Duke’s favorite herbal for the treatment of liver disorders is milk thistle.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), also known as Mary thistle and holy thistle is sometimes called silymarin for one of the main components found in the plant; one that is used to treat a variety of ailments. This flowering herb grows in the Mediterranean region and has been used thousands of years-NCCAM According to Dr Stengler this plant can also be found growing in parts of Europe, Russian, Asia, America and North Africa. The colonists brought it to North America.
Impactinghealth.com advises “the leaves of the Milk Thistle make a wholesome and delicious food, that has been popular in Europe, especially in France.” It can be cooked or washed and eaten raw in a salad after removing the spiny part of the leaves. The white sap found in the plant is believed to improve lactation for nursing mothers.
This beautiful flowered herb grows up to 6 feet tall and contains prickly edged leaves with white streaks. It blooms from May to June and then bears shiny black seeds which if not collected will cause new plants for the following year as Mother Nature renews her herbs. If collected can be used for cultivation, consumption, or infusion of herbal benefits.
A Roman naturalist named Plino studied milk thistle in the first century A.D. , and noted the usefulness in milk thistle in removing excessive bile from the liver and improving liver function. Impactinghealth.com advises silymarin extracted and infused from the seeds aid in the growth of new liver cells according to over 300 studies which have been performed.
The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies by Mark Stengler, N.D. advises the usefulness of milk thistle for treatment in:
Liked it
CHAN LEE PENG | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Great article and it’s loaded with useful and important info. Thanks, and I learnt something new from you, sister.
Judy Sheldon | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Chan, how did you get here before me?
Thanks for the comment on my milk thistle article. The benefits of this herb are amazing.
pattiann | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Your article is excellent. I have heard of milk thistle, but I didn’t know how good it is. Maybe I’ll try the leaves in my salad.
CHAN LEE PENG | May 10, 2010 | Reply
To answer your question: normally triond published the article first and will take some time to send you a notification.
I came to visit this article and give you another “liked it”.
Melody SJAL | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Didn’t know milk thistle is so beneficial, thanks.
Faith Blues | May 10, 2010 | Reply
I only knew that milk thistle is good for liver but beyond that I’m clueless till I read this article. Thanks for sharing!
Judy Sheldon | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Chan, the computer won’t let you “like” me again that soon after but
it’s always great to know you are in my corner.
Melody and Faith, thanks for the warm support. Take care & God bless. Faith, good luck on your impending birth.
Jamie Myles | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Very informative article. Milk thistle is an excellent plant that we all should incorperate into our diets. The toxins our bodies taken in every day can be damaging to our health and milk thistle is a great weapon against that damage.
Icy BC | May 10, 2010 | Reply
This is an incredible article with so much helpful information, Judy! I love all your health articles because they are packed with great info.
giftarist | May 10, 2010 | Reply
That’s a useful herb. Thanks for sharing this very informative article.
Judy Sheldon | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Jamie, you are absolutely right. We do much to harm ourselves. It is time to work at offsetting the damages done.
Icy, this is cool that you linked your blog to your avatar. You are so clever. Thanks for the support.
Giftarist, yes, it is. I hope more people can benefit from the herbal properties.
Take care & God bless.
Deanna Lynn Sletten | May 10, 2010 | Reply
Judy – Wonderful article on Milk Thistle. Very informative.
nobert soloria bermosa | May 10, 2010 | Reply
silymarin is a very popular food supplement in the Philippines…thanks Judy, this will certainly be of great help to others
VTech | May 11, 2010 | Reply
Good Post
Judy Sheldon | May 11, 2010 | Reply
Deanna, Nobert, and Vtech, thanks so much for your support. It is much appreciated.
Take care & God bless!
Angelgirlpj | May 11, 2010 | Reply
OMG Judy, I had no clue that thistle had such good properties. I have an abundance of them in my yard. Maybe I should try to use them.
Judy Sheldon | May 12, 2010 | Reply
Pam, you may have found a “gold mine”. I can see you starting Pam’s thistle marketing – I’m picking on you, but milk thistle is awesome for it’s healing properties. Any time a plant can claim restorative power for our kidneys and liver, among other things, we should not ignore it.
ronthoughts | May 12, 2010 | Reply
Very well composed about the benefits of silymarin.
Liked!
SU’d!
Judy Sheldon | May 13, 2010 | Reply
Ron, sounds like you are familiar with milk thistle. Thanks so much for the support.
Take care & God bless!
sara20 | May 24, 2010 | Reply
Style your writing is good, you slaughter order method described in the article you have so much good information.
Sara
Judy Sheldon | May 28, 2010 | Reply
Thank you, Sara, for your comment.
V rank | May 31, 2010 | Reply
I really do not know this stuff milk something before… Good thing I found your article… thanks…
Judy Sheldon | May 31, 2010 | Reply
Franklin, welcome to Triond and I am glad you like my article.
Thanks & God bless!
BC Doan | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
I’m reading it again, Judy! It’s still fascinating facts for me to read..
Judy Sheldon | Jun 27, 2010 | Reply
Icy, BC, so glad to see you again!
Take care & God bless. Herbs are fascinating!!