Herbal Remedies: Milk Thistle

The plant milk thistle got its name because it has traditionally been used to stimulate milk flow from nursing mothers. The plant's scientific name is Silybum marianus and it has been used to make healing herbal remedies since the Middle Ages. The leaves of the milk thistle plant are distinctive for their white streaks, and they are said to symbolize milk. Milk thistle was also once used as a highly versatile vegetable, and today the plant is highly regarded by herbalists as an important restorative and tonifying plant.

The seeds of the milk thistle plant are used in many herbal remedies. The seeds themselves are rich in silymarin. Silymarin has been shown to help combat the symptoms of liver disease. Herbalists to help treat cirrhosis of the liver as well as hepatitis often use the extract of the milk thistle seeds. The seeds of the milk thistle plant can also be used to treat high cholesterol levels and to help soothe gall bladder inflammation. Recent medical studies have found that milk thistle indeed has several health benefits. Studies have shown that milk thistle contains more antioxidants than vitamin E. The seeds of the milk thistle plant have also been known to help prevent damage caused to the body's tissues because of free radicals.

The flowers and leaves of the milk thistle plant are also harvested and used to create herbal remedies. The flower heads of the milk thistle plant are often eaten even before the flower opens up. The flower heads are often prepared in much the same way as artichokes are prepared. They are often used to help stimulate the digestive system and the liver. The leaves of the milk thistle plant are eaten in much the same manner as spinach. The leaves are often eaten in order to stimulate the milk flow in mothers, and they can also be consumed in order to ease menstrual problems.

The milk thistle plant is prepared in many kinds of herbal remedies. The seeds can be turned into a tincture by taking 20-50 drops of milk thistle seed oil combined with water to treat gall bladder and liver problems. The milk thistle plant is also widely available in capsules. Most herbalists recommend that only one to two 200 mg milk thistle capsules be taken each day to treat liver or gall bladder problems. Milk thistle capsules can also be taken before drinking alcohol in order to combat hangovers.

The milk thistle plant seed can also be turned into a powder to dust over swollen skin ulcers. The seeds can be infused and drank as hot tea. This infusion is a good herbal remedy for treating gall bladder problems. The milk thistle seeds can be combined well with vervain. It can also be combined with St. John's Wort and lady's mantle to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The flowers and leaves of the milk thistle plant can also be used in an infusion. The milk thistle hot tea is used to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers, as well as to treat digestion problems.