Eucalyptus Uses for Skin Care

milk thistle

Almighty milk thistle: 10 incredibly beneficial properties

Milk thistle is widespread throughout the world. It is popularly known as a thistle. Gardeners know her as a very aggressive weed. Cultivated to obtain medicinal raw materials, fruits (seeds) of milk thistle. The healing properties of milk thistle have been known since ancient times. According to its medicinal properties, milk thistle is a unique and universal plant. Why is milk thistle so good? Let's talk about this in more detail.

The Latin generic name of the plant is Silybum (tassel). Milk thistle has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is usually used to cleanse the body of toxins.

Milk thistle: healing properties and application

It is used to treat diseases of the liver and gall bladder. The main biologically active substances of milk thistle are flavonoids and flavolignans, which are known under the general name silymarin. Traditionally, milk thistle is used in the complex treatment of many diseases. As a medicinal plant, milk thistle is effective in treating liver problems, stimulates lactation, has sedative and analgesic properties, prevents and treats cancer, and even helps with snake bites and mushroom poisoning. In addition, milk thistle has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, increasing the production of food enzymes, bile, and relieves inflammation on the mucous membranes of the body.

What is milk thistle as a medicine

Milk thistle as a medicinal plant has been known for over 2000 years. The birthplace of milk thistle is Mediterranean. This plant with a fairly high and prickly stem and with characteristic purple flowers. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes the familiar sunflower and daisies. The first to describe the healing properties of milk thistle was the Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides (40 BC).

Thistle has many popular names. One of them is milk thistle. This plant got its name because of the white juice that is released from the leaves if they are ground. You can also see white spots on the leaves of milk thistle, as if they were dipped in milk. Thanks to this, she got another name, milk thistle.

As a medicinal plant with antioxidant effects, the use of milk thistle is effective in the fight against free radicals. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, the aging process slows down, which causes the development of various diseases, and the immune system is strengthened.

Milk thistle is also well known for its hepatopotective and cleansing effects. Silymarin is successfully used in medicine as a natural remedy with a powerful antioxidant effect in the treatment of liver diseases.

Milk thistle is successfully used in the treatment of liver diseases such as cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, as well as diseases of the gall bladder. Our liver works hard like a filter, protecting our body from toxins and removing harmful substances from it (alcohol, antibiotics, polluting agents, heavy metals, etc.). The beneficial effects of milk thistle on the liver, including the neutralization of free radicals in the liver cells, and even the complete restoration of hepatocytes, have been repeatedly confirmed.

There are a large number of drugs made on the basis of milk thistle, in the form of tablets, powder, oil, tincture, extract and tea from milk thistle meal. Milk thistle seeds can also be eaten raw, but usually milk thistle extract or milk thistle supplementation is preferred. So its therapeutic effect is higher.

Top 10 scientifically proven beneficial properties of milk thistle

1. Milk thistle - a strong hepatoprotector

The liver is the largest internal organ. It performs a number of vital functions in the body. Milk thistle helps restore liver cells by removing toxins from the body that pass through the liver. It is here that they are filtered, neutralized and destroyed.

The state of our blood depends on the health of the liver. It cleanses the blood every day, maintaining the normal functioning of all body systems. The liver is involved in the synthesis of hormones, bile acids, which break down the fats coming from food, provide the body's energy needs, etc. This is why a malfunction in the liver causes huge problems in the body.

Milk thistle has been used successfully for many centuries in the treatment of diseases such as:

Alcoholic liver disease Acute and chronic viral hepatitis Toxic liver damage Extends the life of patients with cirrhosis

It should be noted that although milk thistle preparations are widely used in the treatment of the hepatobiliary system, there is no evidence-based evidence of its ability to prevent their development, especially with an unhealthy lifestyle.

2. Milk thistle - a powerful defense against cancer

Milk thistle seeds are a rich source of silymarin with pronounced antioxidant properties. Silymarin reduces the risk of cancer due to its ability to increase the protective properties of the body, prevent DNA damage and stop the growth of a cancerous tumor.

In 2007, researchers from the University of Minnesota, as a result of numerous studies of the medicinal properties of milk thistle, established its hepatoprotective and anti-cancer effects, including inhibition of the growth of cancer cells in the prostate, skin, mammary gland and cervix.

From 50% to 70% of silymarin milk thistle molecules are molecules such as silybin (silybinin). This antioxidant stimulates protein synthesis and renews the outer layer of healthy cells, thus protecting them from damage and mutations. It removes toxins from the body; promotes cell restoration; prevents the harmful effects of pollutants (pesticides and heavy metals), protects the body from the negative effects of free radicals.

As the results of a study conducted by scientists at University Magna Graecia show, silymarin provides effective protection against cancer, as it blocks the effects and penetration of toxins into the cell.

A number of animal studies have shown the ability of milk thistle to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. The ability of milk thistle to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy for certain types of cancer has also been established. However, such studies have been limited and have not proven significant clinical effect. More research is required.

3. Milk thistle - a great way to lower cholesterol

Elevated levels of bad cholesterol contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, which can cause blockage of blood vessels and even thrombosis. As you know, cholesterol is produced in the liver. Milk thistle, having a positive effect on the functioning of the liver, controls the production of bad cholesterol, thereby supporting heart health, purifying the blood and preventing the possibility of oxidative stress.

Preliminary studies show that the use of milk thistle extract in combination with traditional methods of treatment significantly improves the lipid profile.

4. Milk thistle prevents and controls diabetes

Silymarin, contained in milk thistle, effectively controls diabetes by regulating blood glucose levels. The results of experimental and clinical studies suggest that taking milk thistle lowers blood sugar levels in insulin-resistant patients, since milk thistle increases insulin sensitivity.

American scientists from the Institute of Medicinal Plants have revealed the positive effect of milk thistle in patients with diabetes. A four-month intake of the extract significantly improved their glucose and insulin levels compared with patients who took a placebo.

As you know, the liver partially regulates the synthesis of hormones, including the production of insulin and its entry into the blood. Insulin maintains normal blood sugar, which is especially important for diabetes.

Regular intake of silymarin provides a significant reduction in blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin, an important indicator for diabetes control.

5. Milk thistle prevents the development of cholelithiasis

The liver is an unusually important organ for the normal functioning of the entire digestive system, the process of assimilation of nutrients and the removal of toxins that enter our body through food, water and air. All organs involved in the digestion process - the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, kidneys - are closely interconnected. Therefore, milk thistle, improving liver function, thereby prevents the formation of stones in the gall bladder and kidneys.

6. Milk thistle slows down the aging process

Since the antioxidants contained in milk thistle protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals, cleanse the blood and gastrointestinal tract from toxins and toxins, this plant can actually slow down the aging process in the body.

7. Milk thistle in the prevention of age-related decline in brain activity

Milk thistle is traditionally used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of milk thistle determine its neuroprotective effect and the ability to significantly delay the age-related decrease in brain activity.

In animal studies, the ability of silymarin to prevent oxidative damage to brain cells has been proven, which prevents a decrease in mental abilities. It has also been found that milk thistle reduces the amount of amyloid plaques in the brain in Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid plaques are one of the physical signs of Alzheimer's disease. This is a sticky protein coating on brain cells. Their appearance, as a rule, is due to the aging of the body.

Numerous studies conducted with patients with Alzheimer's disease have confirmed the possibility of using milk thistle in the treatment of this disease. However, a large number of unresolved issues remained, such as, for example, the bioavailability of milk thistle and its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier; the dose is not determined to obtain the necessary therapeutic effect.

8. Milk thistle and skin health

Milk thistle has a protective effect on the skin, reducing the visible signs of aging. Therefore, the use of milk thistle is an easy way to improve the condition of the skin, get rid of dark spots on the skin, reduce the number of wrinkles and prevent the development of skin cancer.

Studies show that silymarin protects the skin from oxidative stress and reduces the number of leukocytes, which contributes to an adequate response of the body to the inflammatory process. Milk thistle is also effective for acne.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can leave scars on the skin. It can be quite painful and causes significant discomfort to a person.

It is believed that one of the main causes of acne is oxidative stress as a result of exposure to free radicals. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, milk thistle has a pronounced therapeutic effect in acne.

The study found that daily intake of 210 mg of silymarin for 8 weeks reduces the manifestations of acne by 53%. But, unfortunately, this is the result of only one study. Additional research is required.

9. Milk thistle to stimulate lactation

Milk thistle stimulates lactation by producing the lactogenic hormone prolactin. However, the data is very limited. But there is one clinical study in which it was found that in nursing mothers, the amount of breast milk increased by 64% with a daily intake of 420 mg of silymarin. Additional studies are required to confirm the result and the safety of milk thistle for nursing mothers.

10. Milk thistle helps maintain healthy bones

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone density. This is a slowly developing disease, as a result of which the bones become weak and fragile.

Experimental animal studies have shown that milk thistle stimulates bone mineralization and prevents a decrease in bone density. It is believed that milk thistle can be successfully used in the prevention of osteoporosis in women in the postmenopausal period. However, such experiments have not been conducted in humans, and therefore its effectiveness in this case has not been confirmed.

Milk thistle and glutathione

Silymarin is an active ingredient in milk thistle, which prevents the reduction of glutathione in the body. The value of glutathione lies in its antioxidant properties, its ability to protect the cell from free radicals.

Therefore, a low level of glutathione in the body increases the risk of oxidative stress and the susceptibility of the body to disease. Thus, glutathione deficiency causes the development of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

All kinds of diets, environmental pollution, toxins, drugs, stress, injuries, age, infections, radiation adversely affect the liver, and therefore the level of glutathione in the body. Milk thistle supports the cleansing function of the liver by strengthening the walls of the liver cells, protecting them in this way from the penetration of toxins, helps restore liver cells and the production of glutathione.

Features of thistle

Most often, milk thistle is used as a dietary supplement. Therefore, the content of active ingredients can vary widely depending on the method of their production. To date, there is no standardized dose of milk thistle. But experience shows that the most acceptable is the use of 20-300 mg of milk thistle per day.

Dietary supplements with milk thistle

To cleanse the body, the recommended daily dose is 150 mg. This amount can be divided into 1-3 doses. The maintenance dose is 50 to 150 mg daily.

Prefer high-quality drugs, in one capsule which contains from 50 to 150 mg of milk thistle extract. The dose is selected individually. When choosing a manufacturing company, focus on those that produce additives containing at least 80% of pure milk thistle extract.

Milk Thistle Tea

You can feel the beneficial effect of milk thistle on the body by using it in the form of tea, which is brewed from the seeds and leaves of the plant.

If possible, you can grow milk thistle in your personal garden or in the country and make homemade tea from it. Each plant head contains up to 190 seeds. It is cut from the plant and dried for one week.

The dried seeds are removed from the head, ground in a coffee grinder and brewed with milk thistle leaves. To preserve the beneficial properties for longer, the seeds and leaves of milk thistle can be frozen.

How safe is milk thistle?

Milk thistle is especially appreciated for its harmlessness. It has virtually no side effects. If these happen, they do not pose a serious danger and are most often manifested as gastrointestinal disorders with a mild laxative effect.

It was found that with prolonged and regular use of high doses of milk thistle, only 1% of people experienced side effects. Compliance with the recommendations for taking milk thistle ensures its safety and effectiveness, eliminates the possibility of allergic reactions.

But in some cases, special care is required in taking milk thistle. It:

Pregnancy. Since the safety of milk thistle for pregnant women is not confirmed, it is better for them to refrain from taking it.

Allergy. Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to plants of the family Asteraceae.

Diabetes. Diabetic patients should be careful in relation to the pronounced sugar-lowering effect of milk thistle in order to avoid a sharp drop in blood sugar.

Some hormone-sensitive diseases. Milk thistle can have an estrogenic effect and worsen the condition of a patient with hormone-sensitive diseases, especially with certain types of breast cancer.

Separate medicines. It is possible that milk thistle interacts with certain medications, for example, allergy medications, sedatives, and blood thinners.

Malignant formations. It should be borne in mind that milk thistle antioxidants can weaken the effect of chemotherapy for cancer, preventing the death of cancer cells.

Therefore, before you start taking milk thistle, you must consult your doctor.

Milk thistle in the form of a biologically active additive is practically safe for the complex treatment of many liver diseases, malignant tumors, and diabetes mellitus. However, doctors believe that additional research is still required to make informed recommendations and confirm the therapeutic effect of this amazing plant.