Milk thistle plant is familiar to almost every gardener. This is a simple weed that loves shaded areas, although it feels pretty good in the sun. It is also called thorn or thistle. Indeed, a very prickly plant, which, like a hedgehog, is protected from those who wish to feast on them. In height, it can reach two meters. Blooms in July with purple flowers, which are enclosed in a prickly basket. The plant is unpretentious, but does not tolerate a drop in temperature of less than -10 degrees.
Since ancient times, flowers and fruits have been used to treat various diseases. This is a real natural healer that can help cores and diabetics. But milk thistle is most often used for the liver. Today we will dwell on this, because it is impossible to consider all the properties of this plant in the framework of the article.
Official and traditional medicine
When considering medicinal herbs, one often encounters 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 want 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 showed that milk thistle is for the liver protection and support even for 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 a highly effective agent in the treatment of diseases such as dystrophy and hepatitis, cirrhosis caused by alcohol, toxins and radiation.
Thistle application today
Each doctor has his own views on therapy. Some believe that if possible, then you need to use herbal medicines as more natural and safe. Others argue that the concentration of substances in drugs is well known and the correct dose can be calculated. This can not be said about herbal remedies.
In defense, we can once again say that the benefits of milk thistle for the liver to date have been proven experimentally. It is widely used:
- in hepatology;
- toxicology;
- oncology.
Thistle is used by cardiologists and endocrinologists, dermatologists, cosmetologists and even culinary specialists. Thistle oil and flour are added to cutlets and pastries, to salads.
Structure
Before continuing, let's take a little more time to ensure that such properties of this plant appear. Milk thistle 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.
- The composition contains vitamins of group B, E, K, D.
But that is 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 needed and important for the treatment of the liver, since a violation of its functions leads to poisoning of the body, and therefore, a violation of the absorption of nutrients.
Natural hepatoprotector
This is how we can characterize the need for milk thistle. We will consider the therapeutic 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 healthy person, this is not necessary. If you lead a healthy lifestyle and eat rationally, then one fatty dish, a glass of wine or a feast is unlikely to harm the liver.
There is another side to the coin. A person has certain problems with this important organ, and he decides to take milk thistle for the liver. It is not necessary to deny its medicinal properties, but to think that it heals all damaged cells in all cases is not worth it. Switching to homeopathy on your own is quite dangerous. It is much better to consult a doctor.
With hepatitis, cirrhosis and other diseases, the doctor should choose the treatment. He will tell you how to take milk thistle (for the liver, in each case, therapy is selected), determine the dosage regimen and dosage.
Dosage Forms
Milk thistle is usually taken in the form of meal or dry grass, capsules with oil or tablets with extract. It is a hepatoprotector recognized by official medicine. Due to such an active component as silymarin, milk thistle is used to make the famous Karsil and its analogues. At the same time, plant materials are much cheaper than a ready-made drug based on it.
Each dosage form has its own differences, including in the indications. Therefore, let us consider each separately, studying the features, properties and differences.
Beneficial features
Milk thistle is used to treat the liver thanks to a complex of powerful antioxidants, as well as a main substance called silymarin. Milk thistle contains more than 200 useful natural substances that have a positive effect on liver cells. With their help, the following properties are achieved:
- Most importantly, the drug “Milk Thistle” for the liver (in any form) is used to prevent further destruction of the membranes of organ cells. In parallel, already damaged hepatocytes are restored.
- The unique composition allows you to enhance the process of tissue renewal, as well as metabolism in the body as a whole.
- The harmful free radicals are neutralized.
- Active substances prevent the penetration of toxins into the liver and help remove already accumulated.
It should be noted that its cost is very low, especially when compared with popular hepatoprotectors and dietary supplements.
Use of oil droplets
Milk thistle oil for the liver is the most popular of all available forms. There are a number of explanations for this. Oil extract is convenient to use, it is stored for a long time and is relatively inexpensive. So let's get a little more detailed about it.
The oil formula quickly penetrates the liver cells and begins to work where it is especially necessary. 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 medication helps to restore the cells affected by alcohol and is able to stop the disease. In some cases, the oil is effective for hepatitis B and C.
Application
It is in the pharmacy in two forms. If you need pure oil, then they will sell it to you in a glass bottle. But most often the drug is used in capsules. Milk thistle for the liver is a natural, cleansing agent, and in some cases the course of such therapy is very useful. But not everyone likes her taste. In the case of capsules, this problem is completely resolved. The oil is encapsulated in gelatin. It remains only to wash the capsule with water and all. 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 it.
Drug in tablets
They are hard coated. 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 tablets for liver are used by official medicine constantly. It is convenient for the doctor to prescribe them, and the patient to take. Moreover, the cost is relatively low, which is important for most.
The effect of drugs is determined by their composition. In each case, it is slightly different. But the main effect is liver cleansing and normalization of the gallbladder, improving the outflow of bile. Their effectiveness is no lower than that of expensive hepatoprotectors. Tablets are often chosen because of their ease of use. Adults, as a rule, drink them twice a day in two pieces.
Thistle meal
What it is? Surely you met a package with that name in a pharmacy. Meal is a vegetable residue after oil extraction. That is, it is a cake. Valuable substances are concentrated in it. The raw materials are crushed and dried. Meal is rich in fiber, vitamins and other trace elements.
How suitable is milk thistle in this form? 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 adversely affect problem digestion. As a result, not only do not fix the liver problem, but also get pain, flatulence and constipation.
If there is no history of gastritis or gastric ulcer, then you can try to use this form of the drug. Meal is consumed one teaspoon three times a day. Be sure to monitor your status at the same time. If pain or discomfort appears, then you need to visit a doctor and adjust the course of treatment.
Useful properties of meal
Any product from the presented line possesses them. But most clearly these properties are manifested precisely in the powder:
- Meal perfectly eliminates the fatal processes of decay in the intestines. This allows you to cope with such phenomena as constipation and increased gas formation.
- Thanks to fiber, it removes numerous toxins.
- It leads to the normalization of the entire digestive tract.
- Helps maintain weight at an optimal level.
Contraindications
All preparations have them, and those prepared with natural plant materials are no exception. But milk thistle in this regard is a neutral plant. 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 the doctor.
Milk thistle is contraindicated in mental illness, with epilepsy. Very carefully, her admission should be considered for cardiovascular diseases. It contains a large amount of mineral salts, which can affect the functioning of the heart valve. You should not take it for shortness of breath and asthma. Very carefully, under the supervision of a doctor, you need to take it with gallstone disease. Be sure to start with small doses and monitor the condition.
Recipes
We will only look at a few examples of how milk thistle is used to cleanse the liver. Each person and the state of his body are unique. Therefore, it is important to consult a competent doctor so that he chooses an effective treatment:
- A decoction of milk thistle roots. In a glass of boiling water, take a tablespoon of crushed roots. Drain in a water bath for 30 minutes, then strain. Add boiling water to the original volume. Take it 15 minutes before meals, 1 tablespoon.
- A decoction of seeds. To prepare this tool, it also does not take a lot of time. Just 30 g of plant seeds, fill in 500 g of water and put in a water bath for 30 minutes. Then strain. The broth should be taken in a tablespoon 15 minutes before eating. Do not forget that you need to take the drug for a long course, at least 2 months.
- Tincture of vodka. This will require fresh leaves, which are not difficult to collect in the summer. Slice them and place in a dark glass bottle. After that, fill with vodka at the rate of 50 ml for every 10 g of raw materials. It must withstand at least two weeks. After that, take 1 to 20 drops at a time. Let us recall once again: how to take milk thistle (for the liver, it is a life-saving remedy), your doctor must say.
If we take into account 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 exacerbation. After the course, you need to take a break for three weeks, and repeat if necessary.