The milk thistle plant is familiar to almost every gardener. This is a simple weed that loves shady places, although it also thrives in the sun. It is also called thorn or thistle. Indeed, a very prickly plant, which, like a hedgehog, defends itself from those who want to feast on it. In height, it can reach two meters. It blooms in July with purple flowers, which are enclosed in a prickly basket. The plant is unpretentious, but does not tolerate temperature drops below -10 degrees.
Flowers and fruits have long been used to treat various diseases. This is a real natural healer that can help hearts and diabetics. But milk thistle is most commonly used for the liver. Today we will focus on this, because it is impossible to consider all the properties of this plant within the framework of the article.
Official and traditional medicine
Considering medicinal herbs,you often come across the fact that their use is reduced only to the experience of traditional healers. Of course, our ancestors were very observant. And in some cases they are right in their conclusions. But, despite this, I would like to see the results of official studies and confirmation of the effectiveness of a particular herbal preparation.
But in the case of this plant, the situation is somewhat different. Back in the 60s of the last century, German scientists drew attention to its unique properties. Numerous studies have been conducted, the results of which have shown that milk thistle is a protection and support for the liver, even with the most serious diseases.
A series of practical experiments, which were carried out one after another, made it possible to establish that this plant is highly effective in the treatment of diseases such as malnutrition and hepatitis, cirrhosis caused by alcohol, toxins and radiation.
Using milk thistle today
Each doctor has his own views on therapy. Some believe that if possible, herbal medicines should be used as more natural and safer. Others argue that the concentration of substances in drugs is well known and the correct dose can be calculated. The same cannot be said for herbal remedies.
In defense, we can once again say that the benefits of milk thistle for the liver have been experimentally proven to date. It is widely used:
- in hepatology;
- toxicology;
- oncology.
Milk thistle is used by cardiologistsand endocrinologists, dermatologists, cosmetologists and even cooks. Milk thistle oil and flour are added to cutlets and pastries, to salads.
Composition
Before we continue, let's spend a little more time on what causes these properties of this plant. Milk thistle for the liver is used as an alternative to modern hepatoprotectors:
- First of all, these properties are due to the presence of biogenic amines in the composition. These are histamine and tyramine.
- Essential oils and polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important role.
- There are fat-soluble vitamins - flavolignan (biologically active substance silymarin), quercetin.
- Contains B, E, K, D vitamins.
But that's not all. Milk thistle is a source of essential minerals and trace elements. These are manganese and aluminum, zinc and copper, selenium and iodine, phosphorus and chromium, potassium, magnesium and iron. All these substances are necessary and important for the treatment of the liver, since a violation of its functions leads to poisoning of the body, which means malabsorption of nutrients.
Natural hepatoprotector
This is how you can describe the need for milk thistle for the liver. We will consider the medicinal properties below in more detail, but for now a few words about prevention. You can often hear that milk thistle preparations can be taken simply for prevention. That is, on an ongoing basis. For a he althy person, this is not necessary. If you lead a he althy lifestyle andeat rationally, then one fatty meal, a glass of wine or a feast is unlikely to harm the liver.
There is another side of the coin. A person has certain problems with this most important organ, and he decides to take milk thistle for the liver. Its healing properties cannot be denied, but it is not worth thinking that it heals all damaged cells in all cases. Switching to homeopathy on your own is quite dangerous. It is much better to consult a doctor.
Hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and other diseases should be treated by a doctor. He will tell you how to take milk thistle (therapy is selected for the liver in each case), determine the dosage regimen and dosage.
Dose forms
Milk thistle is usually taken as a meal or dry herb, oil capsules, or extract tablets. It is a hepatoprotector recognized by official medicine. Thanks to such an active ingredient as silymarin, milk thistle is used to make the famous "Karsila" and its analogues. At the same time, plant raw materials are much cheaper than a ready-made drug based on it.
Each dosage form has its own differences, including indications. Therefore, let's look at each separately, studying the features, properties and differences.
Useful properties
Milk thistle is used to treat the liver due to its complex of powerful antioxidants, as well as the main substance called silymarin. Milk thistle contains over 200 beneficial natural substances thathave a positive effect on liver cells. With their help, the following properties are achieved:
- Most importantly, Milk Thistle for the liver (in any form) is used to prevent further destruction of organ cell membranes. In parallel, already damaged hepatocytes are restored.
- The unique composition allows you to enhance the process of tissue renewal, as well as the metabolism in the body as a whole.
- Destroys harmful free radicals.
- Active substances prevent the penetration of toxins into the liver and help to remove already accumulated.
It should be noted that its cost is quite low, especially when compared with popular hepatoprotectors and dietary supplements.
Using oil drops
Milk Thistle Liver Oil is the most popular form available. There are a number of explanations for this. The oil extract is convenient to use, has a long shelf life and is relatively inexpensive. So let's talk a little more about him.
Oil formula quickly penetrates the liver cells and begins to work where it is most needed. It is able to increase the formation of bile and provoke its outflow. In parallel, the oil neutralizes toxins. Chlorophyll effectively rejuvenates the liver, as it stimulates cell growth and regeneration. Therefore, this formula is used with great success in the case of alcohol dependence. The drug helps to restore alcohol-affected cells and is able to stop the disease. In some casesoil is effective for hepatitis B and C.
Application
It is in the pharmacy in two forms. If you need oil in its pure form, then it will be sold to you in a glass bottle. But most often the drug is used in capsules. Milk thistle is a natural cleanser for the liver, and in some cases a course of such therapy is very useful. But not everyone likes its taste. In the case of capsules, this problem is completely solved. The oil is encased in gelatin. It remains only to drink the capsule with water and that's it. How is the treatment:
- The course of treatment with capsules is 1.5 months. The recommended single dose is 4 pieces. Take before meals three times a day. After a short break, you can repeat the course.
- Liquid oil can be used as a medicine or as an additive for cooking. A single dose is one teaspoon. You need to take 2-3 tablespoons per day. After a two-month course, you need to take a break for 4 weeks, after which you can repeat.
Drug in tablets
They are covered with a hard shell. These are Karsil, Gepabene, Sibektan, Silimar. Trade names are known to many, just not everyone knows that they are all based on the extract of this plant. Milk thistle in tablets for the liver is used by official medicine all the time. It is convenient for the doctor to prescribe them, and for the patient to take them. At the same time, the cost is relatively low, which is important for most.
The action of drugs is determined by their composition. In each case, it is slightly different. But the mainthe impact is cleaning the liver and normalizing the functioning of the gallbladder, improving the outflow of bile. Their effectiveness is no lower than expensive hepatoprotectors. Tablets are often chosen for ease of use. Adults usually drink two of them twice a day.
Milk thistle meal
What is this? Surely you have seen a package with this name in a pharmacy. Meal is vegetable residues after oil extraction. That is, it's a poop. It concentrates valuable substances. Raw materials are crushed and dried. Meal is rich in fiber, vitamins and other trace elements.
How good is milk thistle for the liver in this form? The reviews say that you need to be very careful for people with diseases of the stomach and intestines. A large amount of coarse fiber can have a bad effect on problematic digestion. As a result, not only will the liver problem not be eliminated, but in addition, you will get pain, flatulence and constipation.
If there is no history of gastritis or gastric ulcer, then you can try using this form of the drug. Schrot is consumed one teaspoon three times a day. At the same time, be sure to keep track of your condition. If there is pain or discomfort, then you need to visit a doctor and adjust the course of treatment.
Useful properties of meal
They have any product from the presented line. But most of all, these properties are manifested precisely in the powder:
- Shrot perfectly eliminates the destructive processes of putrefaction in the intestines. This allows you to deal withphenomena such as constipation and increased gas formation.
- Thanks to fiber, it removes numerous toxins.
- Leads to the normalization of the entire digestive tract.
- Helps maintain optimal weight.
Contraindications
All drugs have them, and those prepared with natural plant materials are no exception. But milk thistle is a neutral plant in this regard. This is often emphasized by reviews. Milk thistle is the best, natural and completely safe remedy for the liver. In fact, this does not cancel the consultation with a doctor.
Milk thistle is contraindicated in mental illness, epilepsy. It should be taken very carefully in case of cardiovascular diseases. It contains a large amount of mineral s alts, which can affect the functioning of the heart valve. It should not be taken for shortness of breath and asthma. Very carefully, under the supervision of a doctor, you need to take it for cholelithiasis. Be sure to start with small doses and monitor the condition.
Recipes
We will look at just a few examples of how milk thistle is used to cleanse the liver. Each person and the state of his body is unique. Therefore, it is important to consult a competent doctor so that he can select an effective treatment:
- Decoction of milk thistle roots. Take a tablespoon of crushed roots in a glass of boiling water. Steam in a water bath for 30 minutes, then strain. Add boiling water to the original volume. Take it 15 minutes before meals, 1 tablespoon.
- Decoction of seeds. To prepare this tool, it also does not take much time. Just pour 30 g of plant seeds into 500 g of water and put in a water bath for 30 minutes. After that, strain. The decoction should be taken in a tablespoon 15 minutes before a meal. Do not forget that you need to take the drug for a long course, at least 2 months.
- Vodka tincture. This will require fresh leaves, which are not difficult to collect in the summer. Cut them up and place them in a dark glass bottle. After that, pour vodka at the rate of 50 ml for every 10 g of raw materials. It should last at least two weeks. After that, take 1 to 20 drops at a time. Let us remind you once again: how to take milk thistle (it is a life-saving remedy for the liver), your doctor should tell you.
If we take into account the general recommendations, then doctors and healers agree on a basic course lasting two months. During this time, it is possible to cleanse the liver, as well as treatment for a number of diseases. The most successful time is spring and autumn, that is, periods of exacerbations. After the course, you need to take a break for three weeks, and repeat if necessary.
