Milk thistle extract is most commonly recommended to counteract the harmful actions of alcohol on the liver. Long-term placebo-controlled, double blind studies have shown milk thistle extracts to be effective in patients with liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and even diabetes due to cirrhosis. Milk thistle alters bile makeup, thereby potentially reducing risk of gallstones.Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is believed to protect the cells of the liver by blocking the entrance of harmful toxins and helping to remove these toxins from the liver cells. Milk thistle seeds contain a bioflavonoid complex known as silymarin. As with other bioflavonoids, silymarin is a powerful antioxidant. Milk thistle also regenerates injured liver cells.Since silymarin is not very soluble in water, a strong boiled decoction of the ground seeds is most effective, rather than a weak infusion (tea). More effective yet is the standardized extract. A recent case report of chronic infection by hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus demonstrated potential efficacy of treatment with milk thistle (10 g ground-up seeds in oatmeal with standardized (70%) milk thistle extract capsules three times daily) in combination with another herb known for its hepatoprotectant activity, Phyllanthus amarus (200 mg, three times daily).Grieve’s classic ‘A Modern Herbal’: The seeds of this plant are used nowadays for the same purpose as Blessed Thistle, and on this point John Evelyn wrote: ‘Disarmed of its prickles and boiled, it is worthy of esteem, and thought to be a great breeder of milk and proper diet for women who are nurses.’It is in popular use in Germany for curing jaundice and kindred biliary derangements. It also acts as a demulcent in catarrh and pleurisy. Culpepper considered the Milk Thistle to be as efficient as Carduus benedictus for agues, and preventing and curing the infection of the plague, and also for removal of obstructions of the liver and spleen. He recommends the infusion of the fresh root and seeds, not only as good against jaundice, also for breaking and expelling stone and being good for dropsy when taken internally.
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Alternative Health & Herbs Milk Thistle Seed Powder Silybum marianum – 4 oz
