Milk Thistle is also known botanically as Silybum marinum and is a member of the Composite family, along with sunflower, black-eyed susan, dandelion and chrysanthemum. It is a biennial herb that grows up to 6 ft. high and has streaked thick leaves with sharp spines. Its flowers are densely bristled and bloom in the summer, write botanists Steven Foster and James Duke in their book "A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs." Milk thistle tea is known to benefit the liver in many stages of disease and inflammation. Consult your doctor before taking herbal cures.
Liver Regeneration
According to herbalist Richo Cech in his book "Making Plant Medicine," milk thistle seeds made into a tea help regenerate the liver tissue for those recovering from alcoholism and liver disease. It also regenerates the liver after it's been exposed to toxins present in places with environmental toxicity, such as radiation, hydrocarbon fumes, industrial pollution and dirty water.
Cech recommends grinding the milk thistle seeds before steeping them in boiling water for five to 10 minutes and drinking a cup of this tea three times per day.
Better Digestion
Milk thistle is a demulcent herb, which means it soothes the mucus membranes of the digestive tract; it also has bitter properties which make it a digestive stimulant, according to acupuncturist Michael Tierra, in his book "The Way of Herbs." As a bitter tonic herb, milk thistle stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid and bile that help break down food and this makes it easier for the small and large intestines to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream. Take milk thistle tea before each meal to receive its digestive benefits.
Protection Against Death Cap Mushroom
Milk thistle is the only known remedy to protect the liver from death cap mushroom intoxication, according to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in her book "Family Herbal--A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health and Vitality." This mushroom is sometimes confused with the safe and edible mushroom agaricus and it can be deadly to both humans and animals.
Take milk thistle tea administered by a professional herbalist can serve as a preventative measure for death cap mushroom or to treat your liver if you have already ingested it. However you should first seek immediate medical attention since death cap poisoning is a serious health emergency.
Antioxidant and Immune Enhancer
Gladsar also notes that milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant, as it helps fight free radicals in the body, which in turn stimulates your immune system. Milk thistle tea is used to treat individuals with weak immune systems and this helps protect the kidneys, liver and gallbladder, according to nutritional counselor Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing, the A-to-Z Guide to Supplements."
References
- "A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs"; Steven Foster and James A. Duke; 2000
- "Making Plant Medicine"; Richo Cech; 2000
- "The Way of Herbs"; Michael Tierra C.A., N.D.; 1980
- "Family Herbal - A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health and Vitality"; Rosemary Gladstar; 2001
- "Perscription for Nutritional Healing, The A-to-Z Guide to Supplements"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
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