Milk thistle: THE liver plant, benefits, what dosage?

THE thistle-Married (Silybum marianum), also called wild artichoke, silver thistle, or Notre-Dame thistle, is an annual or biennial plant of the Asteraceae family. Measuring up to 1.5 meters, it is recognizable by its thorny leaves and its purple flowers, and is visible in spring. Native to the Mediterranean basin and Europe, this plant grows in uncultivated and dry soils which benefit from good sunshine. In herbal medicine, the parts used of the plant are the dried fruit (incorrectly called “seeds”) with flavor bitter and the leaves which contain the various interesting active ingredients.

What are the health benefits of milk thistle?

It is used in herbal medicine for:

• His action protective of the liver and gallbladder
• Its properties digestive
• Its properties antitoxic
• Its effect on the blood sugarmaintaining a physiological balance of sugars
• Its action on the sphere cardiacby increasing blood pressure thanks to its action on the adrenals.

Milk thistle contains three essential substances: silybin, silychristin and silydiamine grouped under the name of silymarinsubstance which allows “of protect the liver and reduce the penetration of toxic elements into its cells ” specifies the naturopath. According to the World Health Organization, the use of milk thistle extracts is clinically validated in the complementary treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis caused by the consumption of different toxic substances: alcohol, medications, etc.. The WHO considers the use of dried milk thistle fruits “traditional” in “treatment of digestive disorders” and liver disorders. Taking milk thistle is also indicated in the complementary treatment of cirrhosis. The plant is registered in the French Pharmacopoeia.

Milk thistle to detoxify the liver

Milk thistle is “renowned for its cholagogue and liver decongestant properties which is of great help against digestive disorders (dyspepsia) and liver diseases (such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice) as well as gallbladder disorders, by activating the secretion and circulation of bile. However, you should be careful not to take it in the event of gallstones. It can also be recommended for relieve side effects following chemotherapy ” indicates Amélie Mounier. The silymarin contained in the plant has various effects on liver cells: it changes the structure of their membrane, thus reducing the penetration of toxic substances: alcohol, drugs, plant toxins, animal poisons.

Be careful, it activates blood pressure

It stimulates the production of proteins, thus improving the regeneration and multiplication of these cells. Finally, she reduces certain inflammatory reactions caused by immune cells present in the liver. “And the liver being the organ of the skin, it is essential to support it in the event of skin problems. Milk thistle is therefore ideal to take in addition to a treatment of plants adapted to the problems encountered. It will play a hepatoprotective role, like Desmodium “.

Milk thistle against acne

Acne is often a sign of an engorged liver. Taking desmodium (hepatoprotective) and/or milk thistle (protective and regenerating), in a 21-day course, helps the liver to regenerate. In capsules or in herbal tea (be careful, very bitter). However, avoid supplementing alone; it is necessary to be accompanied by a professional.

• In herbal tea decoction : 1 tablespoon of plant for a cup (25cl) of cold water, boil for 3 minutes and leave off heat to infuse, covered, for 10 minutes. Drink 2-3 cups/day “preferably a little before a meal ” recommends the naturopath.
• In powder : 1 teaspoon in a little compote, yogurt or lukewarm water, 30 minutes before the two main meals.
• In capsule : 140 to 210 mg of extracts standardized to 70 or 80% silymarin, one to three times a day, before meals.
• In hydroalcoholic extract (mother tincture): 25 to 30 drops in a glass of water, 3 times/day.

Milk thistle EPS (indication, use)

The World Health Organization recognizes as “clinically validated” the use of standardized extracts of milk thistle (EPS) as “complementary treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis caused by alcohol abuse, certain medications and toxic substances“. The EPS (standardized extract) of silymarin is thus considered effective at doses of 420 mg/day orally, spread over one day and for a period of two weeks. It is necessary to refer to the advice of use the manufacturer to know the dose to take each day.

How long does a milk thistle treatment last?

“As with all plants (with some exceptions), a treatment is done over 21 days with a break of one week between each if you wish to continue after the first. It can be done over 1 to 3 treatments depending on the problem. – to identify with your naturopathic practitioner or doctor – and consider maintenance once or twice a year, associated with Desmodium ” underlines the expert. But always ask again when purchasing, the recommendations for the chosen product.

Precautions for use and contraindications

• Milk thistle is contraindicated in case of allergies to Asteraceae.
• Contraindicated in case ofhypertension. “In case of hypertension, you should definitely not take milk thistle since it activates blood pressure. It is therefore useful in cases of hypotension ” underlines the naturopath.
• Contraindicated in case of gallstones.
• Taking milk thistle is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding or during pregnancy. You must consult to take it in this case.
• Liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.) should not be treated without medical advice. Due to its action on the liver, milk thistle may reduce the effectiveness of some medicationsseek the advice of a health professional before considering it.
• “The plants are always taken as a 21-day cure (except in exceptional cases where the intake is shorter) with a one-week break if you wish to renew it. It is imperative to always ask for dosage recommendations and contraindications when taking purchasing a product “, underlines the naturopath.

Undesirable Side Effects of Milk Thistle

Among the possible side effects of taking milk thistle:

• “Of the transit disorders (mild laxative effect)“
• Of the allergic reactions (edema, itching) in people sensitive to plants of the same family, Asteraceae (ragweed, mugwort, chamomile, chrysanthemum, echinacea, etc.).

Thanks to Amélie Mounier, certified FENA naturopath, in Vincennes.