Wild milk thistle is a weed and poisonous plant, but it has long been cultivated and grown in order to obtain medicinal raw materials. Previously, it was used only in recipes of traditional medicine, but today the substance silymarin (from seeds) is listed in the list of medicines.
In composition, it is a very rich plant, containing not only proteins and flavonoids, but also vitamins, as well as trace elements. In total, it contains about 200 useful compounds, for which it has received widespread use in medicine, although it has milk thistle contraindications (minimal).
The healing properties of milk thistle
Extracts of this plant are most used in the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract. He is considered an assistant in poisoning, intoxication, toxicosis of pregnant women, it normalizes the metabolism and cleanses the liver of toxins, therefore it is used for diabetes, obesity, jaundice, as well as some other diseases of the liver and spleen.
Milk thistle, the contraindications of which are minimized, improves healing in fractures, open wounds, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It also helps with constipation with colitis.
Most of the preparations based on this plant are developed and produced for the treatment of liver diseases. So, milk thistle is indicated for cirrhosis, hepatitis, chemical intoxications (chlorine, alcohol, narcotic substances). It also protects the liver from radiation. Under the action of milk thistle extract, the formation and excretion of bile improves, the liver functions better due to the regeneration (restoration) of its cells, which has a beneficial effect on the general metabolism and improves the condition of patients with anemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension and vitamin deficiency.
Drugs based on this plant can also be prescribed for stress, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.
Of course, milk thistle has contraindications, we will focus on them later.
Application methods
Today, milk thistle can be found in the form of oil and powder (meal), and at home decoctions and infusions of this plant are prepared.
The broth is prepared as follows:
Grind the seeds or roots of the plant in a coffee grinder and pour 0.5 liters of water in an amount of 1 tablespoon. Put the container on the fire, boil for 20 minutes, and then insist for an hour and strain.
Infusion:
1 tablespoon of crushed seeds or roots pour two cups of boiling water and leave for 2 hours (you can in a thermos).
Powder (meal) is prepared as follows:
Seeds or roots are crushed to a powder and taken as such with water.
Milk Thistle Oil :
There is a way to add dry matter to vegetable oil (50 g per 0.5 liters) and insist in a dark place for a week, or you can simmer the same composition in the oven for 2-3 hours at a temperature of 50 degrees. However, it is most convenient to buy ready-made oil in a pharmacy, as it takes a lot of time to prepare.
Milk thistle, contraindications
Most often, people use meal and milk thistle oil, contraindications to the use of this plant are mainly associated with its strong choleretic effect. It is not recommended to take it to those who have stones in the gall bladder, this can provoke a pain attack due to the movement of stones (stones). Another reason that a person cannot take drugs based on this plant is rare - intolerance, i.e. allergy.
Milk Thistle Reviews
Someone considers it a valuable plant, but someone does not see the result at all. It is possible that the more a person’s metabolic disorder, the more noticeable can be the therapeutic effect, however, it is best to take herbal preparations for prevention, only before this is done an ultrasound of the gallbladder and make sure there are no stones.
Many prefer milk thistle meal, its contraindications are the same as for oil and infusions, so the question of how to use it completely depends on the individual's desires.