Milk thistle is a medicinal plant that contains the interesting active ingredient silymarin. In naturopathy, it is traditionally used to support the body's core. Unbalanced eating and excessive drinking disrupt our sense of well-being, and it is precisely in these cases that the plant with the purple flower is considered pure relaxation for the physical state.
Main active ingredient silymarin
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a traditional herbal medicinal product for use in adults. The time-tested power of milk thistle lies primarily in silymarin and is used to both protect and regenerate the body's core. The particularly valuable component silymarin is found mainly in the milk thistle fruits and is a mixture of the flavanolignans silibinin, isosilibinin, silicristin, and silidianin. It acts as a natural antioxidant in the body, thereby protecting cell walls from free radicals. Furthermore, silymarin is traditionally used for a feeling of fullness and flatulence, but the power of this active complex is also used for liver diseases.
Milk thistle as a traditional medicinal plant
The native home of milk thistle is Southern Europe and North Africa. Typical of the plant are the green-and-white marbled leaves, the edges of which are lined with small thorns. Milk thistle has always been used to support the body's core. Its bitter substances stimulate the production of bile. In naturopathy, it is considered a medicinal plant for supporting the liver and digestion in general. In addition to promoting bile production, it also protects liver cells.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae) and is also known by the synonyms St. Mary's thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, variegated thistle, and holy thistle.
The legend of the Virgin Mary's milk
According to legend, the white spots on its leaves date back to the Virgin Mary, who dripped milk onto the thistle leaves while nursing the infant Jesus. The herbaceous plant can grow up to 150 centimeters tall. Its fruits contain the valuable ingredient silymarin.
Recommended use for silymarin
Since silymarin is poorly water-soluble, its effects are very limited when prepared as a tea. Milk thistle fruits are therefore usually used as extracts—packaged in tablets. As milk thistle fruits are extremely well-tolerated, they can be taken safely over a longer period of time. However, individuals suffering from jaundice should only take milk thistle preparations in tablet or capsule form on medical advice.
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