Milk Thistle For Healthy Living
August 8, 2009
Milk thistle or silybum marianum is a native plant of the Mediterranean region. This herb is currently grown in several parts of Europe and America.
In different countries, milk thistle has different names, such as Marian thistle, Mary thistle and holy thistle. Milk thistle plant has spiny leaves and stem. The flowers of the plant are purple in color. Folk healers have used milk thistle for centuries for treating several illnesses.
Cures liver diseases
Milk thistle is extremely beneficial for treating liver illnesses, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Silymarin, a plant chemicals present in the seeds of milk thistle, promotes the detoxification function of the liver. Milk thistle helps to flash out alcohol and other toxins from the body.
Silymarin also helps to heal the damaged liver by promoting growth of new liver cells. Silymarin could also prevent liver damage by obstructing entry of certain harmful chemicals into the liver. According to studies, milk thistle could raise the glutathione level in the body by over 30 percent.
lutathione is one of the main substances needed by the liver to remove toxins from the body. Consumption of milk thistle seeds keeps the liver healthy. The seeds also help the ailing liver to recover speedily.
Antioxidant
Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent oxidation of free radicals, which are responsible for several diseases, including cardiovascular ailments and cancers. Antioxidants could also slow down the aging process. Milk thistle derives its antioxidant property from silymarin, which comprises of silydianin, silybin, silychristin and isosilybin.
Helpful for women
Milk thistle stimulates milk production in lactating women. Women suffering from excessive menstrual bleeding can benefit from milk thistle. Milk thistle could stimulate late menstruation. It is believed that this herb could probably prevent breast cancer.
Antidote for mushroom poisoning
Milk thistle could counteract the effects of mushroom poisoning.
Gallstone prevention
By promoting bile flow, milk thistle is capable of preventing formation of gallstones.
Lowers cholesterol
People suffering from high blood cholesterol level could take milk thistle to lower the bad cholesterol level. A study has shown that silymarin, present in milk thistle, could reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol.
I know that Milk Thistle is very good for the liver but taking it with or after drinking alcohol is more helpful?