Milk thistle, also known as Silybum marianum, is an herb that has been used for thousands of years as a treatment for medical conditions, from snake bites to toxic livers. According to the National Cancer Institute, in the 1960s, researchers discovered that milk thistle's benefits come from a substance within the plant called "silymarin," a powerful antioxidant. Milk thistle is available as a nutritional supplement in tablet or capsule form and is widely used for its medicinal benefits.
Liver Protection
Milk thistle is used as protection from, and treatment for, liver disease. A report in the June 2007 issue of "Integrative Cancer Therapies" reports that the silymarin in milk thistle can protect the liver from toxins, as well as control liver disease. While there are studies that say milk thistle is effective in treating liver problems, specifically hepatitis, other studies contradict these reports. A study published in the May 2009 issue of "Phytomedicine" shows evidence that silymarin from milk thistle does indeed help treat acute and chronic hepatitis. Patients who were given milk thistle had earlier improvement of their condition than those who were not given the supplement.
Brain Protection
The liver protection benefits of milk thistle are better known, and more widely studied, than its positive effects on the brain. However, its potential to improve brain function cannot be overlooked. As the brain ages, it is subject to damage from free radicals, cells that have malfunctioned and that could cause damage to healthy cells. In the brain, this can result in various symptoms, such as memory loss and other degenerative processes. In the October 2009 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology," researchers studied the effects of silymarin on aged brains, using rats as subjects. What they found was that treatment with silymarin helped reduce the effects of free radicals on the brain and prevented many degenerative brain functions that come with age.
Skin Protection
Another lesser known benefit of milk thistle is skin protection. Along with silymarin, milk thistle contains a flavonoid called silibinin. Silibinin has been found to be a powerful antioxidant that regulates molecular changes in the skin from UV radiation and chemicals. A report in the September/October 2009 issue of "Clinical Dermatology" reviews these studies and recommends that silibinin from milk thistle be used in the manufacturing of cosmeceuticals.
Cancer Protection
An important benefit from milk thistle is its reported ability to help treat and protect the user from cancer. As noted above, the silibinin in milk thistle can help protect from skin cancer, but silymarin is also an effective anticancer agent. The October 2008 edition of "Cancer Letters" reports that silymarin regulates the balance between the survival of cells and the death of cells. (Cell death is important in the prevention of cancer, as cells that have mutated or become damaged can turn into tumors or cancer cells.) The report also states that silymarin shows anti-inflammatory ability, and inflammation is the basis of many diseases. A final use for silymarin is in the treatment of cancer, rather than its protection. Milk thistle has demonstrated liver protection properties. When a patient is being treated for chemotherapy, the drugs can deliver an overload of toxins to the liver. The silymarin from milk thistle is recommended as a supplement for those who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, as a protective measure.
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