Background Info
The practice of consuming this herb has been very old. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver problems. Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protects the liver from toxins, including certain drugs such as acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.
Benefits
Milk thistle is sometimes used as a natural treatment for liver problems. These liver problems include cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders and in cases of poisoning with Amanita mushrooms. Some claim milk thistle may also:
- Provide heart benefits by lowering cholesterol levels
- Help manage Type 2 diabetes and cirrhosis
- Reduce growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers
Milk Thistle benefits can be summarized as:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-carcinogenic
- Hepaprotective
- Immunostimulating
- Possibly Estrogenic
References
Milk Thistle: Benefits and Side Effects