Life & Style | Health
The medicinal properties of milk thistle
For centuries, this spiny but edible plant has been used for liver-related ailments and to improve digestion.
- By Alva Carpenter
- Published: 00:05 May 3, 2008
- Its antioxidant properties protect body cells from damage caused by oxidation.
- Its anti-inflammatory effects keep liver cells from swelling due to injury.
- It encourages growth of liver cells. By changing the outside layer of liver cells, it prevents the entry of certain toxins into the cells.
- If you are pregnant, lactating or under medical supervision, consult your doctor before taking the supplements.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.
- Keep out of reach of children.
The Greeks and Romans used milk thistle as a traditional remedy for digestion-related problems.
More than 300 scientific studies have been carried out on it and conclusions say it may be helpful in the treatment of liver ailments.
Milk thistle is a member of the sunflower family. It is a prickly thistle with a purple flower that blooms in summer.
While the plant is native to the Mediterranean region, it is also found in southern Russia, Asia and northern Africa.
This stout thistle, which is a weed, grows in dry, sunny areas. The stem branches at the top and reaches a height ranging from 4ft to 10ft. The leaves are wide and have white, blotchy veins.
The shiny black seeds are used for medicinal purposes and are collected at the end of summer. It is called milk thistle because it is believed to help lactating mothers produce good-quality milk.
History
For centuries, this spiny but edible plant has been used for liver-related ailments and to improve digestion.
In the 17th century, an English herbalist named Nicholas Culpeper discovered that milk thistle was effective in removing liver obstructions.
However, it was not until the 1960s that scientists identified the active ingredient responsible for the plant's healing properties and it was named silymarin.
Benefits
Milk thistle has been used as a herbal remedy for over 2,000 years.
The German health authority approves its use in the treatment of cirrhosis and chronic inflammatory liver conditions.
The liver rids the body of toxins and is involved in a range of bodily functions. It breaks down pollutants such as alcohol and nicotine to detoxify the body. It converts and stores nutrients. It also produces bile. No wonder it is overworked.
But excessive alcohol intake and an unhealthy lifestyle can hinder the liver's ability to do so.
Milk thistle, rich in silymarin, acts as a blood cleanser and increases bile solubility, thus preventing gallstones.
Silymarin protects liver cells in the following ways:
However, one trial found that it did not protect the liver from the harmful effects of the drug Cognex (tacrine hydrochloride) used to treat early-stage Alzheimer's.
Milk thistle is also reported to have oestrogen-like effects, which stimulates the flow of breast milk. The same property proved useful for men with prostate cancer.
Dosage recommendations
Generally, 12 to 15g of dried milk thistle (200 to 400mg silymarin) is recommended every day.
But if you suffer from a liver condition, seek your doctor's advice before trying self-medication.
Side-effects
Very few side effects have been associated with milk thistle. It is considered safe when taken as recommended.
Caution:
Q:Can I take probiotics if I am on an antibiotic? -Sujaat
A:Antibiotics can't tell the difference between friendly and unfriendly bacteria. If you're taking antibiotics with probiotics (friendly bacteria), the probiotics may be killed off. Please discuss with your doctor.
Alva Carpenter is a UK-based nutritionist and fitness expert. Readers can write to her at AlvaUnwind@naturalhealthlines.com and a selection will be replied to in this column.
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