In different regions, this plant has its own name - thorn, milk thistle, marin or silver tatar, milk thistle.
Useful properties of this plant were revealed in antiquity. Today they are confirmed by scientists who have studied the unique composition of this plant. We will tell you about the beneficial properties and contraindications of milk thistle, about the methods of using preparations based on it and their effect on the body in this article.
External features of milk thistle
The plant belongs to the Compositae family. Many of our readers have seen him repeatedly. This is one of the largest and most beautiful species of thistle. A one- or two-year-old plant reaches a height of 60 cm to 1.5 meters. The branched erect stem is covered with dark green or salad-colored leaves with silver-pearl spots.
Pothe edges of the leaves have long yellow spines. The inflorescences of the plant are large beautiful lilac baskets up to 6 cm in diameter. Milk thistle fruits are achenes of light brown, black or gray color. The leaves surrounding the basket are also "armed" with sharp spines. Each achene has a tuft consisting of hairs twice the length of the achene. The seeds of the plant have a bitter taste.
Distribution
Milk thistle grows in southern and central Europe, in Central Asia. In our country, the plant is widely distributed in the south of the European part and Western Siberia. The plant prefers to settle on abandoned lands, wastelands, along roads.
Chemical composition
The beneficial properties of milk thistle for the human body are due to its unique composition: it has over 200 useful substances. One of the main ones is silymarin, which is able to repair damaged liver cells. Useful substances are located in all parts of the plant, from flowers to roots. Thistle contains:
- macronutrients (iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium);
- vitamins D, B, K, E;
- microelements (copper, boron, iodine, manganese, aluminum, phosphorus, zinc);
- fatty polyunsaturated acids;
- essential oils;
- fat soluble vitamins (flavolignan, quercecin);
- biogenic vitamins (histamine, tyramine);
- silymarin;
- carotonoid.
Useful properties andmilk thistle contraindications are well studied today, and therefore the plant is widely used both in folk and traditional medicine.
Useful properties of the plant
It is difficult to overestimate the beneficial properties of milk thistle, which is now used in almost all areas of medicine.
- Toxicology. With success, milk thistle is used for chronic poisoning with drugs, alcohol, food, medicines, followed by intoxication. Milk thistle is recommended for pregnant women with toxicosis, people who live in environmentally unfavorable regions. Not everyone knows that milk thistle is able to fight the poison of the pale toadstool.
- Hepatology. The beneficial properties of milk thistle for the liver allow the use of preparations based on it for the treatment of diseases such as liver dystrophy, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, provoked by toxins, radiation or alcohol.
- Cardiology. In this area of medicine, milk thistle is used as a prophylactic that strengthens blood vessels and the heart muscle.
- Oncology. Milk thistle preparations are recommended for patients who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as it can effectively cleanse the blood of radiation, heavy metals, radionuclides and toxins.
- Dermatology. The beneficial properties of milk thistle are successfully used in dermatology, thanks to its vitamin E, which has pronounced tonic and anti-inflammatory properties. Milk thistle preparations are effective in the treatment of serious skin diseases such as vitiligo, psoriasis, baldness, acne.
- Cosmetology. In cosmetology, the beneficial properties of milk thistle oil are most actively used. It is part of cleansing, rejuvenating, toning, wound healing balms, ointments and creams.
Healing properties
Milk thistle has many useful properties, and the use of medicinal preparations based on it is indicated for many serious ailments. Thistle affects the human body as follows:
- reduces inflammation;
- is a hepatoprotector recommended for all liver diseases;
- heals wounds and ulcers;
- reduces histamine synthesis:
- has antioxidant and epithelizing effects;
- is a prophylactic against malignant neoplasms;
- stimulates the immune system;
- removes toxic substances;
- has choleretic and diuretic properties;
- strengthens the body;
- accelerates the formation of estrogen.
All parts of the plant have these beneficial properties. But certain medicines are prepared from different types of raw materials, which are indicated for the treatment of various ailments.
Milk thistle root
Decoctions and alcohol tinctures are prepared from the roots of the plant. The raw material is used in pharmacology: capsules and tablets are prepared from it. They are recommended in the treatment of diseases of the liver and stomach. In addition, they help with swelling of the limbs, cramps, poor outflowurine and sciatica.
Seeds
Traditional healers and representatives of traditional medicine are well aware of the beneficial properties and contraindications of milk thistle seeds. This is a truly unique raw material, on the basis of which flour, powder and oil are prepared. The tool in any form is very effective in diseases of the liver and spleen, dysfunction of the digestive system. The active ingredients contained in the seeds strengthen the walls of capillaries and prevent the accumulation of s alts.
Milk thistle oil
This valuable substance is obtained by cold pressing milk thistle. The beneficial properties of milk thistle oil are due to the presence in its composition of all substances contained in different parts of the plant. Preparations based on it are successfully used by both traditional healers and doctors in the treatment of diseases of the gallbladder, stomach, liver.
Milk thistle oil is famous for its wound healing and anesthetic properties, it is effective for allergic reactions on the skin. Oil can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently. To do this, you need 5 teaspoons of crushed seeds pour 500 ml of olive oil. Put the mixture in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, and then insist for half an hour.
Milk thistle: benefits and contraindications for women
In the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary sphere and reproductive function, this plant plays an important role for the woman's body. It is effective in the following diseases and pathological conditions:
- dysmenorrhea(painful periods);
- premenstrual syndrome;
- atrophy of the vaginal mucosa;
- cervical erosion;
- pain in menopause.
It is important to know that the beneficial properties of milk thistle for women and contraindications are closely interrelated, so it is necessary to exclude self-medication in order to avoid negative consequences. Milk thistle is often used to reduce excess weight. For this purpose, pure oil or gelatin-coated capsules are used. Vegetable natural fibers are not absorbed in the small intestine and do not dissolve. But at the same time, they absorb toxins, cholesterol, harmful substances and remove them from the body.
However, you need to know that during treatment you should drink at least two liters of water daily. If this is not done, then milk thistle can cause persistent constipation. In addition, women should remember that milk thistle products are contraindicated during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. We should not forget about the individual intolerance of plant components.
In addition to the treatment of gynecological diseases, women with the help of the “prickly doctor” successfully heal their skin and hair. To do this, use decoctions, milk thistle meal, special lotions. To strengthen the hair, a mask is made from a mixture of thistle oil and tea tree oil. After half an hour, the mask is washed off with water and shampoo.
Very effective masks for problematic facial skin based on plant oil. For acne and acneDermatologists often recommend taking a powder made from seeds.
Preparations based on milk thistle
We talked about how various preparations are prepared from different parts of the plant. Below we will talk about some of them.
Infusion
The beneficial properties of milk thistle (reviews allow us to judge this) are perfectly revealed in this form of preparations. The infusion is indicated to restore the normal functioning of the liver, remove excess bile, eliminate pain in case of joint diseases.
Place tablespoons of milk thistle seed powder in a thermos and pour 500 ml of boiling water over them. The remedy is infused for 12 hours, after which it must be filtered and taken four times a day, 120 ml each.
Tincture
This remedy is used in dermatology for the treatment of many skin diseases. Pour 50 g of seeds with 500 ml of vodka and let it brew in a dark place for two weeks, shaking the bottle occasionally. Strained tincture is taken 20 drops three times a day.
Decoction
Recommended for diseases of the pancreas, liver, kidneys. Boil 30 g of seeds in 500 ml of water over low heat until the volume of liquid is halved. Take this drug in a tablespoon every hour for 21 days. Then you need to take a two-week break, the course is repeated if necessary.
Syrup
In the pharmacy you can buy milk thistle syrup, which is recommended for use in diseases of the liver, spleen, biliary tract. In addition, the syrup is effective in the treatment of gallstone disease, colitis, hemorrhoids, respiratory and heart diseases. Take it 1 tablespoon three times a day.
Juice
Milk thistle juice relieves joint pain, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach and intestines, cleanses the skin, and normalizes metabolism. Juice is harvested during the period when the plant kicks out the flower arrow. Remove five large leaves and squeeze the juice out of them. Juice is preserved at the rate of one liter per 50 ml of medical alcohol. The product should be stored in the refrigerator. Take it on an empty stomach in the morning, 1 tablespoon.
Milk thistle extract capsules
This is a ready-made drug that is sold in pharmacies without a prescription. The extract contains a large amount of flavonoids, which protect the liver from the negative effects of toxic substances. The extract restores cells and functions of the liver. Take the extract according to the package directions.
Milk thistle tablets
Useful properties of milk thistle are fully preserved in tablet form. They are prescribed in the treatment of diseases of the biliary tract and lesions of functional tissues.
Shrot
This product is obtained by grinding the seeds of the plant and extracting milk thistle oil by cold pressing. The resulting powder is loaded with fiber, which is great for stimulating bowel activity.
Side effects and contraindications
Despite many useful properties, usethis plant must be very carefully and always under the supervision of physicians. The thing is that milk thistle contains calcium and phosphorus in large quantities, which can create certain he alth problems. Caution should be taken when taking milk thistle for people with problems with the heart and blood vessels, since phosphorus and calcium can cause disruption of the heart valve.
Milk thistle-based preparations are contraindicated in the following cases:
- individual intolerance;
- mental illness (including depression and epilepsy);
- shortness of breath, accompanied by attacks of suffocation.
Nursing mothers and pregnant women should consult a doctor who will consider the advisability of using such drugs. Milk thistle works well with many medicines. Side effects are extremely rare, most often diarrhea or mild pulling pains in the right hypochondrium. Such symptoms lasting more than two days are a serious reason to stop treatment.
Popular recipes: compress
Cut the thorns from the leaves, wash them well and grind them to a mushy state. Apply the resulting mixture to the wound and apply a tight bandage on top, change twice a day. Cuts, abrasions, scratches will heal in three days.
Decoction for sciatica and arthritis
Dry chopped milk thistle roots (1 tablespoon) are poured into an enamel bowl with a glass of hot water. Then the product is put on low heat and boiled for 20 minutes. Hotthe broth is filtered through three layers of gauze and diluted with boiling water to the original volume. Take a decoction three times a day, 1 tablespoon. A decoction can be used for urinary retention, and in the form of rinses - for toothache.
Powder for poisoning
The powder prepared from seeds is consumed 1 tablespoon up to five times a day to relieve symptoms of poisoning. In addition, it is indicated during radiation or chemotherapy, 1 dessert spoon four times a day. The powder is taken within 21 days.
Useful properties and contraindications of milk thistle: reviews
Most of all positive reviews are associated with the treatment of milk thistle. Patients claim that the drugs really effectively help get rid of problems that have caused a lot of discomfort for many years. In addition, many note the effectiveness of milk thistle in intoxication, including alcohol.
Women note that milk thistle in a short time helped to improve skin condition, migraines disappeared. In addition, the plant is successfully used for weight loss. Judging by the reviews, this is an effective aid in getting rid of excess weight, cleansing the body and removing toxins. True, not everyone notes the effect of weight loss.
It must be admitted that not all reviews of this plant are positive. Some patients who have taken milk thistle products have experienced nausea, pain, and indigestion.
