MILK THISTLE

Primary Uses:  
Here are just a few of the maladies Milk Thistle
provides relief for:

• Cirrhosis

• Hepatitis

• Jaundice

• Kidney Congestion

• Liver Congestion

• Liver Damage

• Psoriasis

(Silybum marianum) aka ‘Marian Thistle,’ ‘Our Lady’s Thistle.’

In 1597, the prominent herbalist known as Gerard wrote that Milk Thistle was the best remedy in the plant kingdom to deal with all melancholy diseases. The word ‘melancholy’ is taken from the Greek, ‘black bile,’ and in Gerard’s day it referred to any liver or biliary disease or imbalance.

It has been observed in practice that, when Milk Thistle extract is given, an exciting reversal of symptoms of both acute and chronic liver problems, ranging from viral hepatitis to cirrhosis, occurs. The active ingredient in Milk Thistle is ‘silymarin.’  Silymarin increases protein synthesis in liver cells by increasing the activity of ribosomal RNA. It stimulates the liver to produce ‘superoxide dismutase’ (SOD), a potent free radical scavenger. It prevents depletion of glutathione in the liver. Milk Thistle also protects the kidneys and is beneficial to those suffering from psoriasis. It also reputedly blocks allergic and inflammatory reactions. Milk Thistle helps our body’s immune response by increasing the production of T-lymphocytes and soluble proteins (Interferon). Milk Thistle (silymarin) is known to stop the toxicity of Amanita mushroom poisoning and that of commonly used dry-cleaning fluid (carbon tetrachloride poisoning).