The Benefits of Milk Thistle: A Natural Medicine
Milk Thistle is a flowering plant of the daisy family that is best known for its therapeutic benefits. It is native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. For centuries, people have sought medical relief from the seeds, fruits and leaves of milk thistle. It is regarded the best liver detoxifying in the world, with benefits that could not be matched by any pharmaceutical product.
This herbal medicine has many uses. From keeping the liver clean and healthy, milk thistle can also be effective in promoting kidney health, relieving inflammation, and improving general health.
Therapeutic Effects on Liver
Milk thistle contains a considerable amount of silymarin – a type of flavonoid that has strong detoxifying properties. When absorbed by the body, silymarin aids in the production of glutathione and superoxide dismutase, the two master antioxidants in the body. High levels of glutathione help protect the liver from inflammatory damage. In 1970s, German researchers found that people with chronic liver disease vastly improved their condition after taking 210-420mg of silymarin daily for 6 weeks to 2 years. In a more recent study review published in the International Journal of Pharma, it was shown that milk thistle has multiple benefits on various liver problems, such as cirrhosis, alcohol hepatitis, liver poisoning and viral hepatitis. In another review by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), scientists found significant improvements in liver function of patients with liver disease (illness developed from alcohol use). In most studies that were reviewed, the standardised extract of milk thistle was used.
Therapeutic Effects on Kidney
Though they are small, kidneys are major organs that have vital functions in the body. Kidney problems can lead to more serious complications, even death. Kidney health is often affected by long-term use of medication and unhealthy lifestyle. The silymarin contained in milk thistle helps regenerate protein enzyme and DNA in the kidneys. Silymarin is considered to be 10 times as potent as vitamin E. It also boosts the activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) in red and white blood, which in turn promotes oxygenation and immunity.
Therapeutic Effects on Cancer
Numerous lab studies have shown that milk thistle may also have anti-cancer properties. The same powerful substance, silymarin, has been shown to inhibit growth of human prostate, breast, and cervical cancer cells. However, more studies are needed to determine whether milk thistle is indeed effective in preventing cancer.
Therapeutic Effects on High Cholesterol
The therapeutic effects of silymarin on LDL or “bad” cholesterol began in 1990s when scientists found that regular use of silymarin reduced the cholesterol levels in rabbits. More clinical investigations were conducted since then and most of them arrived to the same result. In another study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research in 2006, participants who took silymarin supplement improved their LDL cholesterol as well as their blood sugar levels.
Other Benefits of Milk Thistle
This herbal medicine also improves mucous membranes – epithelial tissues that secrete mucus to line and protect body cavities and tubular organs inside the body, including the gut and respiratory passages. They help reduce inflammation in the skin cells, sinus and respiratory tract, kidney and urinary bladder. As a result, there is a lower risk of developing gall stones. Milk thistle is also good for the skin. It has been shown to promote natural glow and radiance, and help treat acne, eczema and other skin problems.
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