Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle belongs to the Asteraceae family, native to Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is easy to identify due to its striking magenta thistle. Milk thistle can grow up to 6 feet tall; its leaves are shiny and painted with white vein-like marbling. The seeds of this plant have been used for over 2,000 years for medicinal purposes.
Common names: Blessed Milk Thistle, Holy Thistle, Mary Thistle, St Mary’s Thistle
Family: Asteraceae
Taste: bitter
Energetics: neutral
Native: Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East
Preparations: decoction, tincture, capsule
Actions: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Hepatorestorative, Hypoglycemic, Kidney protective, Cardioprotective, Galactagogue, Choleretic, Anti-inflammatory
Parts used: seeds
Who is Milk Thistle?
Milk thistle is a loved and frequently used herb by many herbalists. It has a long history dating back to 40 AD; the ancient Roman physician Pliny the Elder mentioned milk thistle in his writing, referencing her for the use of liver disorders.
Apart from being an excellent liver ally, Milk Thistle benefits the kidneys and digestive system, reduces cholesterol, and promotes skin health.
What makes Milk Thistle an herbal ally?
Liver Health
The liver is one of the largest glands in our body. It is responsible for performing many functions, including producing bile to help with digestion, producing (some) proteins for blood plasma, processing hemoglobin, regulating blood clotting, filtering the blood, storing vitamins and minerals, and the list goes on and on.
Milk thistle is a super-star hepatoprotective herb, this class of herbs supports normal function and protects liver cells from damage. This plant is also considered a Hepatic Trophorestorative ally, nourishing the liver and restoring normal function.
It is indicated for those with a congested and inflamed liver and has shown promising effects in cases of liver diseases such as cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and fatty liver.
Milk thistle contains a flavonolignan compound called silymarin, responsible for the protective effects on the liver. This constituent has undergone many clinical trials and has been shown to ease inflammation and symptoms associated with liver diseases like cirrhosis.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver regulates emotions, promotes digestion and absorption of nutrients, and maintains a healthy flow of Qi (life force). The TCM Liver is associated with anger; when there is too much anger, it can impair the physical organ.
Milk thistle is known as Shuǐ Fēi Jì in TCM and is used to relieve heat and toxicity while regulating the flow of Qi in the liver.
Brain Health
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are two of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, affecting approximately 6 million Americans. Alzheimer's is caused by brain cell damage and brain atrophy; the most common Alzheimer's symptom is memory loss. Parkinson's is also a progressive disease caused by damage to the neurons, specifically neurons responsible for synthesizing dopamine.
This herbal ally contains a bioactive compound called silymarin; silymarin is a neuroprotective agent against central nervous system and neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Milk thistle may protect your brain by
Reducing inflammation - inflammation in the brain can damage cells and lead to cognitive decline.
Protecting against oxidative stress - high levels of oxidative stress can lead to cognitive decline.
Preventing the accumulation of Amyloid plaque - an accumulation of this protein in the brain and nervous system can prevent proper cellular communication.
One study looked at how milk thistle affected cultured brain cells. According to the findings, milk thistle can boost "nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC-12 neural cells and prolonged their survival in culture."
Another study on cultured rat hippocampal neurons found that milk thistle extract could protect against cell death caused by oxidative stress. These studies show our herbal allies' amazing work and healing potential.
Kidney Health
The kidneys do more than just help with urine production. These organs help balance the body's fluids, including water and minerals; they produce hormones that control blood pressure, red blood cell formation, and bone health; the kidneys also help regulate the body's pH level.
The possible renal health and protective benefits of milk thistle are being investigated. This herbal ally promotes cell regeneration in both the kidneys and the liver. The main constituent, silymarin, seems to have a diuretic action that stimulates urine production, thereby promoting waste evacuation without influencing potassium levels in the body.
Digestive Health
The digestive system is comprised of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. These organs collaborate to ensure proper digestion. Milk thistle helps the digestive process run smoothly by promoting gallbladder and liver health, aiding in eliminating toxins from the body.
Gallbladder Health
The gallbladder is part of the digestive system, and it stores bile created by the liver; this organ is responsible for secreting the stored bile into the small intestine during digestion. Gallstones are thought to form when the bile stored in the gallbladder hardens and produces “stones.” Other factors promoting gallstone formation include excess bile salt or bilirubin.
Historically milk thistle has been used to prevent the formation of stones in the gallbladder. The active component silymarin found in milk thistle helps lower cholesterol levels in bile which can directly impact the formation of gallstones.
Ally for Breastfeeding Mothers
As a well-known galactagogue, milk thistle has traditionally been used to help breastfeeding mothers produce more milk.
A 2016 study aimed to explore the galactagogue effects of milk thistle. The study found that breastfeeding mothers saw an increase in milk production in the women that took silymarin-phosphatidylserine and Galega (silymarin is a compound found in milk thistle).
How to prepare a milk thistle decoction
Decoctions are similar to teas in that they are prepared using hot water and plant constituents. Decoctions extract plant medicine from seeds, barks, and roots.
Use 1 teaspoon of milk thistle seed to 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat and allow the seeds to simmer at a low rolling boil for 15-20 minutes.
Brain and Memory Tea
Milk thistle can be prepared with a blend of other herbs to enhance flavors and incorporate other benefits from a wide range of herbal allies. One of our favorite teas to make at the Herbs and Owls shop is our brain and memory tea which includes herbs like Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, Wood Betony, Milk Thistle Seed, and Maca Root.
Milk thistle flower essence
Milk thistle flowers can be used to create flower essences, historically flower essences have been used to guide your body both energetically and physically into a flow of wellbeing. Different flowers are used for different needs, just like herbs!
Who is milk thistle flower essence for?
In TCM, the emotion of anger resides in the liver; milk thistle, as an herb, helps to promote liver health; as a flower essence, she is indicated for those who are experiencing anger and resentment especially related to family issues. This beautiful flower essence provides support on a vibrational level to allow the person to release such emotions.
Although this form of therapy is not widely known, many people have benefited from allowing themselves to be guided back into balance by our beautiful flower allies.