Milk thistle: benefit and harm. Milk thistle in tablets: reviews

Healing properties of milk thistle (in the people just so called milk thistle) were revealed even in ancient times. Due to the unique composition of this plant, which contains about 400 different active substances, it has a very wide range of effects on various systems and organs of the human body. In this article, we will find out what is milk thistle, the benefits and harms of this plant, its effect on the body, how to use it, and the advantages over medicines.

Description

This plant, which belongs to the family of Compositae, is one of the largest and most beautiful species of thistles. Therapeutic milk thistle is used for diseases of the intestines, stomach and liver. This plant has proven itself in the fight against gynecological and skin diseases, diseases of ENT organs, pathologies of the heart.

How does it look?

This 1- or 2-year-old plant in height reaches 150 cm (with proper cultivation can exceed even 2 meters).

The branchy erect stalk of this plant is dressed in green or dark green leaves, covered with pearly silvery spots. The leaves have yellow long spines along the edges.

Inflorescences are collected in small lilac baskets, the diameter of which reaches 6 cm. At the same time, the milk thistle fruit is a seed of light brown, gray or black hue. The leaves surrounding the basket are also equipped with a fairly sharp spine. Each achene has a crest of thin hairs, which exceed 2-3 times the length of the achene. Seeds do not have a smell, but differ bitter taste.

Properties

These herbs (milk thistle) have such a range of properties:

• Epithelializing;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Wound healing;
• Antioxidant;
• Antiulcer;
• Hepatoprotective;
• Immunomodulating;
• Choleretic;
• Antitumor;
• Antisclerotic;
• Restorative;
• Detoxification;
• laxative;
• Lactogenic;
• Diuretic;
• Antiallergic.

How to use?

Milk thistle is taken in the form of infusion, decoction, tea, powder, syrup, tincture, tablets. In addition, it can be included in some medicines.

Leaves

Leaves of this plant are used as a diuretic, mild laxative, diaphoretic and cholagogue.

Seeds

Milk thistle, the benefit and harm described in this article, is used for kidney, liver, spleen and thyroid disease, with food and alcohol poisoning. Also, seeds are an excellent preventive tool, which is shown to apply to residents unfavorable in terms of ecology regions. They also need to be used by people who are involved in various harmful industries, as well as athletes with high physical exertion.

Infusion

This form of milk thistle is suitable for removing bile, restoring liver function, eliminating pain in joint diseases. For this 2 tbsp. L. Seeds should be placed in a small thermos and pour them with boiling water, after which this means to insist 12 hours, squeeze and consume 130 ml 4 times a day.

Root

The roots of milk thistle are mainly used in the treatment of such diseases:

• diarrhea;
• Catarrh of stomach;
• radiculitis;
• toothache;
• Convulsions;
• Urine retention.

Tincture

This drug is widely used in dermatology in the treatment of various skin diseases. To do this, 50 grams of seeds should be poured into 0.5 liters of vodka, 2 weeks to insist (in a dark place), periodically while shaking. Ready tincture is taken three times a day for 20 drops.

Broth

Milk thistle, the benefit and harm of which is due to the abundance of various active substances in it, is used for medical purposes also in the form of a decoction. It is indicated for diseases of the pancreas, liver, kidneys. In addition, it is used in the treatment of cancer. To do this, 30 grams of seeds should be boiled on low heat in 0.5 liters of clean water. Ready-made broth is applied every hour on a tablespoon (for example, from 9 am to 21 pm) for three weeks, after which a break is made for 2 weeks.

Syrup

Syrup of this plant is indicated for diseases of the biliary tract, liver, spleen. It is also prescribed for hemorrhoids, cholelithiasis, colitis, respiratory and heart diseases three times a day for 1 tbsp. L.

Phytotea

Pharmacy phytotea of the milk thistle plant (the instruction is attached to it in each pack) normalizes the liver, improves digestion, gives energy and strength. The tea packet is brewed with hot water, it is insisted only for 10 minutes, after which it is drunk 3-4 times a day.

Juice

The juice of this plant establishes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves joint pain, cleanses the skin, normalizes metabolism, and also relieves inflammation. Milk thistle juice is harvested when this plant throws out only the flower arrow.

Thistle extract

Extract of the milk thistle plant, the instruction to which is attached in each pack, is a source of flavonoids that protect the liver from the effects of harmful substances and toxins. The extract helps restore the functions of the liver and cells.

Powder

Powder is prescribed for the treatment of atherosclerosis, psoriasis, various poisonings, liver diseases. You need to use 1 tsp. This powder is a maximum of 5 times a day for a month. In severe and neglected cases, after a 2-week break, the treatment course should be repeated again.

Milk thistle in tablets, reviews

The tableted form of this plant is a storehouse of various useful compounds, vitamins and elements that are needed in the treatment of lesions of functional tissues, bile duct diseases. It is interesting that the drug detoxifies toxins, and also releases free radicals from the body, while gently renewing our cells.

Milk thistle throat

The schrot of the milk thistle plant, the price of which is very affordable (about 70 rubles), is the ground seeds, of which the milk thistle oil was made by means of cold pressing . The powder obtained by this method is enriched with fiber, which cleanses the intestines, and also stimulates its functioning.

Butter

The oil of the thistle plant (the price of the drug is 100 rubles) has a hepatoprotective, anti-burn and wound-healing properties. Consequently, it is not surprising that it is often compared to sea buckthorn. It is used in the treatment of psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, eczema, liver diseases, allergies.

Contraindications

Despite practically no contraindications and harmlessness of milk thistle, this plant should be used (like the rest of the herb) carefully, under the supervision of specialists. This is due to the fact that milk thistle (the benefits and harm of the plant described in this article) contains a huge amount of phosphorus and calcium, which in the future can lead to various problems in the human body. For example, caution should be taken to take milk thistle to those who have heart disease, since phosphorus and calcium contained in the plant are capable of provoking a malfunction of the heart valve.

Milk thistle is contraindicated in such cases:

1. Mental diseases, including epilepsy and depressive conditions.
2. Individual intolerance (extremely rare).
3. Shortness of breath, which can provoke attacks of suffocation.