Milk Thistle Supplement

The milk thistle supplement is one of the most popular herbal supplements in North America and Europe. The use of the milk thistle as a medicinal herb dates back to the Greco-Roman era, when it was often prescribed for the treatment of snake bites, jaundice and other liver disorders. Scientific studies have since proven that milk thistle is effective as an herbal tonic and remedy for the liver and gall bladder disorders

• Botanical Name: silybum marianum
• Other Common Names: Mary thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, marian thistle, lady's thistle
• Description: It derived its name from the milky-white markings it has on its leaves, and from its use in stimulating milk production in nursing mother. It is a member of the daisy or aster family. It grows anywhere from two to five feet and bears large purple flowers. The milk thistle is native to Europe's Mediterranean region, and was introduced to North America by European settlers.
• Plant Parts Used: This herb's ripe black seeds are harvested for therapeutic use.

The active medicinal compound extracted from milk thistle is silymarin, a flavonoid compound that is extracted from its seeds. Silymarin has been proven to protect the liver against toxins, as well as helping the liver repair damaged cells and regenerate new ones. It enhances liver functioning, helping it detoxify the body.

• Milk thistle has traditionally been used to stimulate milk production in nursing women, helping improve milk flow.
• Silymarin is a potent antioxidant, more powerful in fact, than even vitamins C and E. It is effective in neutralizing and protecting against the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are the root cause of many diseases as well as premature aging.
• Milk thistle has been shown to normalize liver function in patients suffering from viral hepatitis, and to alleviate some symptoms of this condition such as fatigue, low appetite and abdominal pain.
• A number of studies indicate that milk thistle helps enhance liver function in cirrhotic patients, even decreasing the number of deaths from this disease.
• It is also a proven tonic for the liver. Milk thistle strengthens the cell membranes of the liver, preventing toxins from penetrating and damaging the cell.
• Silymarin is the most potent antidote for poisoning resulting from ingesting the deathcap mushroom, which causes severe liver failure.
• Several studies have also proven milk thistle to be effective in treating damage caused by alcohol consumption and certain medication such as acetaminophen, a common ingredient in several non-aspirin pain relievers
• It has also been used medicinally for HIV patients and gall bladder conditions, as well as for psoriasis.

• Milk thistle supplement seems to be a safe, well-tolerated herbal remedy when taken in the recommended dosages. However, milk thistle has been reported to have cause headaches, itching and skin rash and stomach upsets in some patients. In a few rare cases, it has been known to cause diarrhea, appetite loss, heart burn, gas and joint pain.
• The chemical constituents of this herb are known to lower blood sugar levels. As such, you should not take it if you suffer from hypoglycemia or diabetes.

It is essential that you consult with your doctor or other licensed health care professional before you add a milk thistle supplement to your diet, because special care or precautions may be required. This is especially important in these situations:

• You are pregnant or breast-feeding
• You are taking other herbal, over-the-counter or prescription medicines
• You are allergic to plants in the ragweed family
• You suffer from a liver, gall bladder or kidney disease
• You frequently drink alcohol

The FDA does not regulate the herbal supplement industry, so when you are shopping for an affordable, quality milk thistle supplement, it is best to buy from a reputable company.

• Purchase your supplement from a manufacturer that follows strict pharmaceutical GMP compliance. These are the rigorous standards to which the FDA holds pharmaceutical companies
• Be sure to only buy standardized milk thistle extract. This is the purest form of this herbal supplement. Milk thistle is usually standardized to have 70 percent to 80 percent silymarin content.

Milk thistle supplement products are available in capsules as well as tinctures.

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