Milk thistle is a valuable plant of the Thistle family, which can be found on almost every household plot. The plant is widely used to improve metabolic processes in the body, the treatment of liver pathologies and poisoning. For the preparation of medicines used roots, flowers, leaves and seeds.
What is milk thistle
Milk thistle is considered quite picky culture that grows everywhere. Shrub can be seen on the sides of roads, in fields, in yards and forests. It has prickly stems and is capable of growing up to 2 meters in height.
The beneficial properties of the plant were noticed many centuries ago, and people actively used them for their own purposes. In modern medicine, milk Thistle is used to eliminate the pathologies of the liver and gallbladder. Practically all parts of the plant have useful properties, and properly prepared preparations help to cope with liver diseases.
The plant has a strong stalk covered with large leaves. Along the edges of the leaves are long spines, and the inflorescences are collected in baskets. After flowering on the thistle fruits are formed, painted in brown or black. The seeds are quite bitter in taste.
Chemical composition
Thistle seeds are rich in fatty oils, which are used both in medicine and in the food industry. In seeds, there are more than 200 components that are necessary to maintain human health. The composition of the plant includes all the B vitamins, as well as A, D, F, E and K.
In addition, milk thistle is the source:
- tyramine;
- tryptophan;
- histamine;
- flavonoids.
The plant contains chlorophyll, which has a rejuvenating effect and speeds up the process of cell repair. Weed culture is the source of many elements, but a substance such as silymarin is considered especially valuable. With its help, it is possible to restore damaged liver cells and normalize the work of an organ.
Medicinal properties of milk thistle
The plant has the following effects:
restores the cell membrane of the liver and protects the body from the effects of various toxic substances;- helps to get rid of extra pounds;
- accelerates the process of regeneration of damaged tissues;
- removes toxins and accumulated toxins from the body;
- has a beneficial effect on the vessels;
- helps slow the aging process;
- normalizes digestion, bile flow and metabolism;
- reduces the severity of allergic reactions due to cleansing the liver;
- helps to cope with various diseases of the reproductive system in women.
restores the cell membrane of the liver and protects the body from the effects of various toxic substances;In addition, the plant contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals.
The most effective are the seeds of milk thistle, which are often included in the composition of various medicines. They help to cure the pathologies of the liver and biliary tract, as well as to avoid their development.
Milk thistle helps to cope with severe intoxication of the body with heavy metals and medicinal substances. In addition, the plant helps to alleviate the condition in case of poisoning by the poison of animals and plants.
Collection and storage of healing herbs
Milk thistle can be used in various forms, but the plant seeds are considered the most valuable. However, in folk medicine, one can often find recipes for the preparation of tinctures and decoctions based on leaves, flowers and plant roots.
The best time to collect seeds is considered the end of August and the beginning of October. You can determine the maturity of the seeds by the yellow baskets and the so-called parachutes on the tops of the seeds. It is necessary to remove the basket from the stem, slightly dry it and remove the seeds. They are laid out on a dry surface and dried until they harden. After that, they are recommended to grind using a coffee grinder or blender.
When harvesting leaves, they must be collected from the plant and dried, spreading it on a paper or wooden surface. This is best done in a room with good ventilation and in no case be dried in direct sunlight.
When harvesting the roots, you must dig them out of the ground with a knife, spread them out on a dry surface and dry well. This may take several days, and to speed up the process is allowed to use the oven
Use in traditional medicine
For chronic constipation, you can prepare the following remedy:
- 100 grams of natural yogurt stir a tablespoon of milk thistle meal.
- The resulting mixture to drink in the morning before a meal.
This tool is recommended to use daily for a month. In that case, if you additionally drink 2 liters of boiled water per day, this will speed up the elimination of toxins from the body.
With varicose veins and high blood sugar, 20 grams of milk Thistle must be crushed and taken in a teaspoon several times a day just before meals. The course of therapy lasts at least 30 days, after which a break for 2 weeks is made.
For gastrointestinal diseases, you can squeeze juice from a thistle herb and dilute a teaspoon of liquid in 200 ml of water. This drink is recommended to drink up to 6 times a day for 10-20 ml.
With convulsions and radiculitis, a tincture can be made, filling 50 grams of crushed seeds with 0.5 liters of vodka. Such a mixture to insist at least two weeks, not forgetting to shake it. Take the tincture you need for 20-30 drops half an hour before meals, drinking water.
Milk thistle to treat liver
Milk thistle is widely used to treat the liver, because it helps to restore damaged cells of the organ and protect them from the effects of adverse factors. It is recommended to take orally crushed plant seeds, tinctures or alcohol tinctures. In order to prepare the powder from the seeds, you just need to grind them in a coffee grinder.
With pain in the liver, 20 grams of seeds should be brewed with 200 ml of boiling water, covered with a lid and allowed to stand for 10 minutes. After the mixture, strain and drink throughout the day. The course of therapy with this tool is at least 3 weeks.
With hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, you can pour 30 grams of crushed seeds with 2.5 cups of boiling water. To mix the resulting mixture over low heat until the volume of water is halved. After the agent is insisted in a closed container for 10-15 minutes, filter and drink 10 ml every hour. Treatment with this tool is at least 1 month.
Milk thistle based medicines
Milk thistle is available in such dosage forms as meal, plant extract and oil in capsules or bottles.
How powder or meal is applied
To prepare the powder, it is necessary to dry the seeds and grind the seeds well. To obtain an effective drug, only a well-matured seed should be used. The powder can be prepared by yourself at home or purchased at a pharmacy.
Meal is widely used for the treatment of pathologies of the liver, and for weight loss. In addition, it can reduce the level of sugar in the body and reduce the severity of varicose disease. The dosage for an adult is 5 grams several times during the day, and you must take it before meals.
Medicinal and cosmetic properties of the oil
Milk thistle oil is available in the form of capsules and liquids. It is widely used for the following purposes:
- treatment of gynecological diseases;
- therapy of gastric and duodenal ulcers;
- increase the elasticity of blood vessels;
- elimination of acne and psoriasis.
External use of the oil allows you to slow down the aging process of the skin and increase its elasticity. It is recommended about half an hour before meals to drink 5 ml of milk thistle oil several times a day. The course of treatment lasts at least 3-4 weeks, after which a break for 7-14 days. In addition, you can add thistle oil to cereals, salads and soups. A convenient form of oil release are capsules that you need to drink 3-4 pieces per day. The course of drug therapy lasts 3-4 weeks.
Thistle seeds
Plant seeds can be used to treat intestinal abnormalities, diabetes, overweight and varicose veins. You can grind the seeds in a coffee grinder and take them several times a day, half an hour before meals, with a small amount of water. The course of treatment is 2 months. For a supporting course, you can take a plant 1 time per day, 5 grams
Extract tablets
In pharmacies, you can purchase plant extract in tablets and capsules:
- Carsil Forte;
- Legalon;
- Silimar;
- Hepabene
The daily dose of silybin for an adult is 400-420 mg, and it must be divided into several doses throughout the day.
Contraindications and precautions
Like other plants, milk thistle has contraindications for use, which should be addressed. It is necessary to refuse treatment in the following cases:
- the patient has pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
- with frequent shortness of breath, taking a plant can cause a coughing fit;
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
To refuse to receive funds from milk thistle is necessary for patients who suffer from gallstone disease. If you do not follow the recommendations for the treatment of milk thistle and overdose, severe allergic reactions can occur in the form of shortness of breath and rashes of a different nature on the body.
