Milk thistle is a common herb found in the Mediterranean area, often used to protect the liver and ease digestion. An active ingredient called silymarin can be extracted from its seed. This is mixed with other ingredients to form milk thistle plus, a powder which can be brewed into herbal tea or made into capsules or tablets. The other ingredients are often one or more of these: dandelion, ginger, artichoke, gingko, cranberry, turmeric or licorice.
History
According to Dr. Melissa Palmer at Liverdisease.com, milk thistle has been used since the Roman era and was commonly used in nineteenth century Germany to treat liver disease and jaundice. In 1968 medical researchers extracted silymarin from its seed, explains the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Ever since then it has been sold in drug stores. Although far more common in Europe than in the U.S.A. milk thistle is generally sold in grocery or drug stores, or wherever vitamins are sold. It mainly comes in capsules that solely contain silymarin, but mixing it with other ingredients to form milk thistle plus is becoming more widespread.
Identification
Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe but can appear in the U.S.A. as an invasive species. The King County government in Washington calls it a highly noxious weed that is dangerous to livestock. A member of the sunflower family, it has a purple thistle flowering thistle. The silymarin seeds it produces are black. In capsule form, milk thistle plus comes in a jar or bottle. It can also appear as powder in a container, which is scooped out and added to boiling water to make tea.
Benefits
Milk thistle plus is mainly used to detoxify and protect the liver. The German government's Commission E, which is equivalent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recommends milk thistle to counteract cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the liver and damage to the liver by toxins. It works as an antioxidant. It supposedly returns the liver to a normal state after drinking. A key ingredient in milk thistle plus is dandelion root, which is used clinically by health care providers to promote liver detoxification, according to the University of Maryland Medical Centre. All other active ingredients added to a milk thistle plus remedy are ones used by alternate medicine practitioners to combat liver disease, such as ginger and artichoke. Milk thistle plus is also used to treat poor digestion, acne, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins. Other treatment claims include gallbladder infections and heartburn.
Dosage
To make milk thistle plus tea, you normally add one scoop to boiling water and let it stand for five minutes before drinking. You can drink up to five cups a day. Capsules are normally taken three times a day, at regular intervals. Always talk to your health care provider before beginning an herbal treatment.
Warning/Side Effects
According to National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, milk thistle has few side effects in clinical trials. However, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach and skin rash have been reported. Milk thistle plus can produce allergic reactions. Tell your doctor about the alternative medicines you use so he can manage your health care safely.
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