Treatment with milk thistle. Rules for the use of milk thistle in medicine and cosmetology. Joint diseases, trophic ulcers, purulent wounds

This article is taken from my other site, which is called “The Healing Power of Resin”. I don’t see the point in writing about the same thing, so I’m publishing it with only a little addition and reworking.

Here is another small list showing the benefits the seeds of this inconspicuous-looking plant, which many simply consider a useless weed, provide to the body:

• With prolonged use, the body is cleansed of most wastes, toxins and nitrates.
• The body receives a powerful supply of nutrients, microelements, and vitamins
• If bile secretion is impaired, it returns to normal
• Taking milk thistle seed promotes weight loss as it normalizes metabolism
• Seeds reduce blood sugar levels
• The functioning of the entire digestive system is normalized

In addition to direct treatment, milk thistle seeds are recommended to be taken in the following cases:

• As a restorative agent after chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• In the process of treating alcoholism and even drug addiction
• Simultaneously with taking medications that affect the liver. This technique helps the liver better tolerate shock doses of chemical drugs and eliminate possible side effects that often occur with their use.
• As a restorative agent after treatment of liver diseases

Interesting fact! Based on flavolignans, which are found in abundance in milk thistle seeds, drugs have long been created for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis and toxic liver damage. These drugs are known all over the world: in Russia it is “Silibor”, in Bulgaria - the drug “Karsil”, in Serbia - “Silibinin”, in Germany - “Legalon”.

Chemical composition of seeds

The benefits of milk thistle seeds are obvious. More than 200 different useful substances were discovered in their composition.

Contraindications to the use of milk thistle seeds

The huge advantage of this treatment is that it has almost no contraindications. There are some restrictions, but exceptions are possible with the agreement of the doctor. So, it is advisable to refrain from treatment with milk thistle seeds:

• If the child is under 12 years old (although if you use a decoction of seeds in milk, prepared according to a special recipe, then it is perfect for treating childhood diseases
• If the patient has epilepsy, chronic pancreatitis or cholecystitis
• Gallstones (milk thistle may promote stone movement)
• Individual intolerance or allergy to seeds or the plant itself

Instructions for using milk thistle seeds for medicinal purposes

So, it will be assumed that the seeds have already been purchased from you. What to do next and how to take them for medicinal purposes. There are several options, you can choose any of the ones you like:

• Grind them in a coffee grinder and
• Prepare a healing decoction
• Make an alcohol tincture
• Make a decoction in milk to treat children
• Make meal

I'll go through each point.

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Powder

Making milk thistle powder is perhaps the easiest option. To do this, you just need to grind the seeds in a regular coffee grinder. Take this powder in dry form. You can also prepare decoctions from it.

Very important! Ground milk thistle seeds cannot be stored for a long time; as a result, their medicinal properties are very quickly lost. Therefore, grind only the amount you plan to use in a day!

How to use:

There is a universal dosage regimen. For almost all diseases, milk thistle seed powder is taken 1 teaspoon, 5 times a day, at regular intervals (4-5 hours).

In especially severe cases, such as cirrhosis, 1 gram of powder is required (the same rule applies to meal) for every kilogram of the patient’s weight.

Dosage regimen: the total amount is divided by 5 and taken every 5 hours. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Usually it is 20 days. If necessary, it is repeated, but with a break between courses of 3 weeks.

Milk thistle seed decoction

The decoction is also prepared quite often. It is not made from whole seeds; you will also need to grind the required amount using a coffee grinder.

Recipe:

• Take 30 grams of powder per 0.5 liter of water, put it on fire and cook.
• The broth is ready when exactly half of the water has boiled away. This is determined by eye, visually.
• Take the decoction, in most cases 1 tablespoon, an hour after meals.
• The course of treatment is individual, but no more than 2 months without a break.

Alcohol tincture

An alcoholic tincture of milk thistle seed powder is prepared according to the same recipe as the tincture of milk thistle. Take a bottle of vodka for 50 grams of powder and infuse it for exactly 2 weeks in a dark place. The tincture needs to be shaken daily.

Reception: using a regular pipette, measure out 25 drops (for an adult of average build), diluting them in a small amount of water and drinking half an hour before meals, just as in the case of the powder 5 times a day, that is, every 4-5 hours.

Decoction with milk

A decoction of milk prepared according to this recipe can be used to treat liver diseases in children starting from 8 years of age. When preparing this decoction, there is no need to grind the seeds; they are taken whole.

Recipe:

1 tablespoon of whole seeds is washed and poured with 1 glass of hot, but not boiled, milk and put on fire. The broth is brought to a boil, but does not boil. As soon as it boils, turn it off and leave to brew for at least 12 hours. It is best to do this in the evening and leave it overnight. In the morning, the milk broth is brought to a boil again and turned off. After cooling and straining, you can begin treatment.

Reception regimen:

• Take 1/4 cup at least 4 times a day, about an hour after meals.
• The course of treatment depends on the situation, but no more than 20 days without a break. If required, after a 2-3 week break, treatment is repeated.

Conclusion

Of all the treatment options, it is the most preferable, since neither oil nor meal can give such results. All useful substances are fully contained in the seeds! They are also present in oil, but in smaller volumes.

Meal is nothing more than a secondary product of processing the same seeds. In addition, we often sell very low quality meal and it is not possible to visually determine this quality. Powder is just that: powder.

Therefore, if you need meal, make it yourself, at home, from milk thistle seeds. Believe me, it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. This way you will receive a guarantee that your product is 100% high quality, and not a powder mixed with something unknown.

Update: October 2018

Milk thistle, also called milk thistle, is an annual or biennial medicinal plant, a member of the Asteraceae family and the Milk thistle genus.

Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean countries, the Iberian and Balkan peninsulas. The culture has spread widely throughout the world, growing in Africa, Eastern and Western Europe, America and Central Asia.

In the wild it grows in weedy places and is classified as an aggressive weed. It is actively cultivated to obtain valuable medicinal raw materials in the southern parts of Russia, Ukraine and China. The medicinal properties and contraindications of milk thistle are well known today, so the plant is a medicinal raw material for the pharmaceutical industry.

Morphological description

The cultivated species is an annual, and the wild one is a thorny biennial plant.

Reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. The stem has a simple or branched structure, glabrous. Large elliptical or pinnately shaped leaves are arranged alternately. There are yellowish spines at the edge of the leaf, and veins at the bottom. The leaf blade is green and has white spots on it. The surface of the leaf is shiny.

The flowers are pink, purple or pure white. Collected in spherical single baskets with a wrapper that consists of spiny leaves. The inflorescence bed has a fleshy structure and is covered with hairs. The flowers are tubular, bisexual. The fruit is an achene with a tuft, which has a bitter taste. Flowering occurs in the summer months, July-August.

Collection, preparation and storage

Milk thistle seeds are collected from August to October, because seeds ripen unevenly. The formation of white fluff in the baskets indicates the readiness of the seeds - to obtain them, the baskets themselves are cut off using pruners. They are placed on a sieve in one layer, under which clean paper is spread and dried in this way. It is important that the room is sufficiently ventilated, but without drafts, since the seeds are small and can simply fly apart. After drying, the thorns are cut off from the baskets, broken, and the seeds are shaken out and dried on paper. Store in fabric bags in the dark and dry for 3 years.

The roots are collected in the fall - they are dug up, washed with water and prepared for drying: crushed and dried in an oven at temperatures up to 50 degrees or indoors. Store in glass jars for 1 year.

Leaves are also harvested in the fall - laid on a cloth or paper in a thin layer and dried under conditions of sufficient ventilation. Store in glass jars for 1 year.

Milk thistle juice is harvested during the period when the plant shoots out its arrow - the first baskets open. To obtain it, the 5 largest leaves are removed from each stem, crushed and the juice is squeezed out. Preserve the valuable product as follows: for 1 liter of juice - 50 ml of 70% alcohol, mix and store in the cold.

Chemical composition

The roots, leaves and seeds of the plant contain about 400 substances, including:

• Silymarin is the main beneficial substance that makes milk thistle so popular. This is a biologically active component (hepatoprotector), a protective and restorative effect on cell membranes, activating the growth of new cells and the synthesis of protein molecules, increasing the production of bile and neutralizing the effect of toxic substances;
• Fatty and essential oils, involved in the regeneration of cells and tissues, normalization of metabolic processes and elimination of inflammation. They have an anti-carcinogenic effect, normalize the function of the central nervous system, enhance gastrointestinal motility and promote wound healing;
• Phenolic compounds lignans(silicristin, silybin, silydianin) help eliminate toxins, excess cholesterol, normalize the balance of hormones, accelerate metabolism and normalize the functioning of the central nervous system;
• Proteins are involved in the synthesis of hormones, enzymes and antibodies, as well as in the transport of hemoglobin, normalize hormone levels, and strengthen the immune system.
• Flavonoids strengthen capillaries, normalize blood pressure and heart rate, participate in the neutralization of free radicals, stimulate the function of the adrenal cortex, and have an anti-inflammatory effect;
• Alkaloids (taxifolin) normalize blood circulation, reduce the severity of pain, stimulate the central nervous system (in small doses) or inhibit it (in large doses);
• Resins have a disinfectant effect, destroy pathogenic flora, increase the body's protective potential;
• Mucus has an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerates wound healing;
• Saponins enhance the secretory function of the bronchial glands, activate the synthesis of corticosteroids, regulate water and salt metabolism, relieve inflammation;
• Organic acids activate metabolic processes, increase appetite, strengthen the immune system, and participate in detoxification of the body;
• Micro- and macroelements(selenium, manganese, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, iodine, zinc, boron, copper) and vitamins (groups A, D, B, F, E, K and group B) have a complex immunostimulating, anti-carcinogenic, strengthening effect on the body and a normalizing effect on all metabolic processes.

Useful properties and applications

All parts of the plant (seeds, leaves, roots) have medicinal value.

• The roots and seeds are used in the preparation of decoctions used in the treatment of diseases of the stomach, liver, edema and urinary retention, convulsions and radiculitis, etc.
• Milk thistle seeds used to make oil, powder and flour. These forms enhance the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, are effective for diseases of the liver and spleen, prevent salt deposition and strengthen the vascular wall.
• Milk thistle powder cleanses the blood, reduces cholesterol and blood sugar, removes toxins, helps to lose weight.
• Milk thistle oil quickly heals wounds, has an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect and is effective in the treatment of burns, wounds, allergic rashes, as well as sore throat and gynecological diseases. When taken internally, the oil helps with myopia. It has an anti-sclerotic effect, strengthens vascular walls and is effective for heart diseases. Used to tone the body and strengthen the immune system. In cosmetology it is used to rejuvenate and nourish the skin and strengthen hair.
• The leaves are used to obtain juice, which has a laxative, diuretic and choleretic effect. In cooking, the leaves are used to make salads and various side dishes.

Thus, milk thistle preparations have the following effects:

• anti-inflammatory;
• hepatoprotective;
• wound healing;
• antiulcer;
• epithelializing;
• antioxidant;
• antitumor;
• choleretic;
• immunomodulatory;
• detoxifying;
• laxative;
• antisclerotic;
• restorative;
• diuretic.

Milk thistle is one of the most effective hepatoprotectors: it stabilizes the biomembranes of hepatocyte cells, improves the antioxidant and detoxification functions of the liver, activates the synthesis of glutathione, which is a source of antioxidants, and accelerates the regeneration of damaged liver cells. The plant protects normal hepatocytes from damage, increasing resistance to infectious agents and toxins.

In addition, there is an improvement in the secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract, digestion of food due to increased production of bile, and an increase in the body’s protective capabilities against infections and poisoning. There is a suppression of the synthesis of histamines, which provoke the development of allergies and headaches. The metabolism of estrogen hormones accelerates. Promotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Normalizes cholesterol levels and ensures complete digestion of fats without intermediate products. Promotes healing of ulcers. Helps you lose weight.

The plant has found application in many areas of medicine and is indicated in the following cases:

• Gastroenterology: liver dystrophy, hepatitis C, determined by alcohol, toxins or radiation, jaundice, colitis, cholelithiasis, colitis, dysbacteriosis.
• Urology: urinary retention.
• Toxicology: chronic poisoning with medicinal and narcotic substances, alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, food intoxication.
• Gynecology: toxicosis of pregnant women (in consultation with a doctor), inflammatory diseases.
• Cardiology: to strengthen the vascular wall and improve heart function, thrombocytopathy.
• Preventatively: people located in environmentally unfavorable places, employed in hazardous working conditions.
• : during the period of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to cleanse the blood of toxic substances, radionuclides and heavy metals.
• Endocrinology: to normalize lipid metabolism and reduce cholesterol, in the fight against obesity, diabetes, thyroid diseases.
• Neurology: radiculitis, myopathy.
• Dermatology: , baldness, acne, allergies, dermatoses, .
• Dentistry and ENT: , pharyngitis.
• Cosmetology: skin rejuvenation and cleansing.
• Rheumatology: arthritis and polyarthritis, salt deposition in joints.

Pharmaceutical preparations of milk thistle

Prescribed to improve digestive function, normalize liver function, and tonify the body. Brew as usual tea and take 3-4 times a day.

Recommended for pathologies of the biliary tract, spleen and liver, colitis, hemorrhoids, diseases of the heart and ENT organs. According to the instructions for use of milk thistle syrup, take 1 tbsp. before meals, three times a day.

It is considered as a complete source of flacovonoids and is prescribed to protect the liver from toxins and other harmful effects, 1 capsule once a day. during meals for a course of 4-6 weeks.

Used for liver pathologies and for their prevention, as well as for damage to functional tissues, to remove free radicals and toxins: 1 table. 1 time per day during meals.

Used to treat psoriasis, atherosclerosis, and intoxications. Take 1 tsp. with water, maximum amount - 5 times a day for 30 days.

Helps in the treatment of diseases of the liver, heart, ulcers, gastritis, intoxications, and is also prescribed for external psoriasis, acne, baldness, lichen planus, etc. Take half a teaspoon 2-3 times a day. during meals or lubricate damaged skin 1-2 times a day. In cosmetology, it is used for masks applied to the scalp, as well as for rejuvenating and refreshing the skin (wiping, adding oil to creams).

These are crushed seeds from which the oil has been pressed. An excellent source of fiber that helps with bowel function. Effective for diseases of the liver, respiratory system, spleen, heart and pancreas, cholelithiasis, colitis, hemorrhoids. Take 1 tsp. three times a day. before meals, with water.

Analogs of milk thistle tablets and capsules according to the active substance: Karsil, Silymarin, Legalon, Silegon, Silimara (see full).

Karsil	Silymarin	Legalon	Silimara	Gepabene

Treating milk thistle at home

General rules for using milk thistle

For greater effect, it is recommended to take all forms before meals, about half an hour. The course of treatment ranges from 3 weeks to 1.5 months. People taking plant preparations for preventive purposes should do this at least twice a year.

Contraindications for use

• Individual intolerance
• Severe cardiovascular pathologies
• Mental illnesses (,

  Milk thistle can reduce the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy drugs and oral contraceptives and enhance the therapeutic effect of Lovastatin, Diazepam, Vinblastine, Alprazolam and Ketoconazole.

In official and folk medicine, milk thistle receives a lot of attention. It is used for various diseases, poisoning, etc. In the article we will consider in detail the medicinal properties of the flower and its use in various fields.

Benefits of milk thistle

Milk thistle flowers and fruits contain large amounts of vitamins, flavonoids, antioxidants, enzymes and minerals.

Thanks to the healing properties of the plant, the following diseases are cured:

• With constant use, it prevents liver pathology from frequent alcohol consumption and overeating.
• Strengthens hepatocyte membranes, i.e. liver cells.
• Relieves toxicosis in pregnant women.
• Prescribed for preventive measures and
• Has a positive effect on the heart organ system.
• Reduces fatty liver.
• Normalizes metabolic processes.
• Slows down the processes of inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Prescribed to restore the body after fighting malignant tumors (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.).
• Used for the treatment of varicose veins, jaundice, etc.
• It treats skin diseases well - dermatitis, burns, acne, eczema, etc.
• Helps with constipation and colitis.
• Tincture from the seeds is used for sore throat, pharyngitis, periodontal disease, stomatitis, and wet chest cough.
• Relieves allergy symptoms.
• Used for drug, alcohol and food poisoning.

Milk thistle can also be used for preventive purposes. But remember: you can’t get carried away with treatment. Therefore, limit yourself to one course of medication.

Milk thistle harm

Sick people often prescribe medications to themselves and believe that they can cope without the help of a person with medical education. But they are deeply mistaken about this, since in addition to its benefits, milk thistle can also cause harm. Therefore, consultation with a specialist is mandatory, because if you try to cure one disease, you will have to treat another. Agree that this is an undesirable consequence of self-medication.

Milk thistle is prescribed with great caution for the following diseases:

• gallstone disease - can cause movement of stones;
• heart rhythm disturbance - causes increased heart rate;
• bronchial asthma - provokes asthma attacks.

If milk thistle has not been prescribed before, the doctor advises starting with small doses. Usually this is 0.5 teaspoon.

When first used, painful sensations in the liver area are considered normal, which usually disappear the next day. But if the symptoms do not stop, the drug is discontinued.

Individual intolerance and allergies are also possible.

Uses of milk thistle

Three types of medicinal products are produced:

• oil;
• meal;
• extract.

For what diseases and in what form is milk thistle prescribed:

• For excess body weight, use a tincture of milk thistle fruits. It rids the body of harmful substances, cleanses the intestines, and normalizes metabolism.
• If you have diabetes, seed meal is prescribed. It prevents the rise in sugar and normalizes insulin production. Used as an additional treatment.
• Milk thistle extract quickly helps the body recover after stress, childbirth, and increases the production of breast milk.
• Milk thistle oil is also used in gynecology. Helps to quickly cure vaginitis, erosion, colpitis.

To treat the liver, milk thistle is included in the main composition of the following medications:

• Karsil forte;
• Silibor;
• Legal.

But many argue that the pills are less effective.

Milk thistle contraindications

The instructions for use indicate exceptions under which it is prohibited to drink the drug:

• mental illness;
• epileptic seizures;
• children under 12 years of age;
• pregnancy;
• attacks of shortness of breath.

But only a doctor can decide whether to use the drug for you or not. Doses are selected individually and if there are no pronounced signs of the disease.

Medicinal properties of milk thistle

The healing properties of milk thistle have been known for more than 500 years. Previously, people collected flowers themselves, prepared decoctions or flour from them, and added oil to food. So in modern medicine the flower is given a place of honor.

The composition of milk thistle consists of the following beneficial substances:

• macroelements - calcium, iron, magnesium;
• trace elements - iodine, phosphorus, chromium, manganese;
• fat-soluble vitamins - flavolignan and quercecin;
• vitamins B, K, D and E;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• essential oils;
• histamine and tyramine.

Milk thistle is used in the following areas of medicine:

• in hepatology - treatment of liver diseases;
• in toxicology - poisoning, intoxication, toxicosis during pregnancy, etc.;
• in cardiology - prevention of diseases of the heart organ system;
• in oncology - prescribed after chemotherapy treatment, cleanses the blood of harmful toxins;
• in endocrinology - helps to lose excess weight;
• in dermatology - treatment of psoriasis, eczema, acne;
• in cosmetology - improves the appearance of the skin, has an anti-inflammatory effect.

There are many recipes for dishes to which milk thistle oil is added. Occasionally you can treat yourself to such food. Remember that children should absolutely not take milk thistle.

How to take milk thistle

How to take milk thistle oil

To make the treatment as effective as possible, you need to find oil obtained by cold pressing. The medicinal product obtained in this way retains maximum beneficial and medicinal properties.

As a mild choleretic agent and for the prevention of liver diseases, drink 1 teaspoon of milk thistle oil 30 minutes before meals. Afterwards you need to drink it with warm water. The same dosage can be used for constipation. Acts softly and quickly.

To treat joints, combine milk thistle oil and turmeric extract. Mix 5 g of turmeric in a teaspoon of oil and wash it down with water.

To prevent diseases of the heart system, it is recommended to drink 1 teaspoon two or three times a day 15 minutes before meals. The course lasts from 30 to 60 days.

For cosmetic purposes, apply a couple of drops to a cotton pad and wipe problem areas of the skin.

For psoriasis and eczema, rub a couple of drops onto the affected areas.

For vaginitis, use a tampon soaked in oil. Keep for no more than 30 minutes. Next, you can do douching from milk thistle extract.

Milk thistle meal

What is meal and how is it used in treatment?

Meal is milk thistle seed powder obtained by pressing. That is, oil was first obtained from the fruits of the flower, and all that remained under the press (cake) is the meal.

Milk thistle powder is prescribed for the following problems:

• poor bowel function;
• headache;
• frequent irritability;
• fatigue;
• dry and problematic skin;
• impaired immunity;
• poor blood circulation.

This is due to the fact that the body cannot independently remove toxins and harmful substances. After using the meal, your health will be restored.

The powder is also prescribed for preventive purposes:

• If a big feast awaits, then drink 1 teaspoon of powder in the morning. The next day, repeat the procedure. This will improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, intestines and increase the flow of bile.
• The same dose is also taken in the treatment of psoriasis. The course is 30 days.
• Normalization of stomach acidity. It is recommended to consume 1 teaspoon on an empty stomach three times a day.
• The use of meal prevents heart disease - stroke, heart attack, ischemia.

An infusion of milk thistle powder will help with a lingering cough:

1. Pour boiling water over half a teaspoon of meal.
2. Leave for 5 minutes.
3. Add a tablespoon of honey to the prepared solution.

Take 3-4 hours until improvement occurs.

To strengthen the immune system, consume milk thistle powder 1 teaspoon in the morning or at night.

For poisoning - 1 tablespoon of powder at least 5 times a day. Drink plenty of warm water. Relief should occur within 5 hours. If there are no changes, then call an ambulance.

For a hangover, use the tincture - 1 tablespoon of meal per 200 ml. water. Leave for half an hour and drink.

When choosing milk thistle powder, you should follow the following recommendations:

• Choose meal in transparent bags. This way you can make sure that the product does not contain other impurities and is safe to use for treatment.
• Buy powder that is richly dark in color. Medicinal properties directly depend on the time of year when the raw materials were collected. A large concentration of beneficial properties is contained in mature seeds. Milk thistle ripens from August to September, when the fruits become brown or dark brown in color. If the powder is light, this indicates that the seeds are not ripe. This powder does not have any beneficial properties.
• The producer's region should be located in the southern regions of the country, since milk thistle is a heat-loving plant. In the northern regions of Russia, the flower is rare.

Milk thistle powder should be taken with caution. It stimulates bile production and is high in fiber. This may result in stone movement or diarrhea.

Milk thistle oil

The use of milk thistle oil is indicated for people who have liver disease, abstain from alcohol and drugs, etc.

The oil is prescribed for the following diseases and problems:

• allergic skin diseases;
• baldness;
• burns;
• diaper rash;
• diseases of the ear, nose and throat;
• women's diseases.

Consuming oil is also beneficial for:

• women suffering from premenstrual syndrome;
• prevention of eye diseases;
• treatment of anemia in varying degrees;
• treatment of the male genitourinary system.

In cosmetology, the oil is used externally:

• nourishes and moisturizes the skin well thanks to vitamin E;
• increases skin elasticity, gives elasticity, improves complexion;
• soothes sensitive, irritated and inflamed skin;
• prevents the development of subcutaneous acne;
• protects against premature aging of the skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation;
• restores hormonal balance during menopause;
• prevents the formation of fatty layers;
• strengthens hair and nails, promotes their growth.

Among the variety of medicinal herbs, milk thistle stands out for its healing properties (popularly called milk thistle, marina thorns, etc.). The herbaceous plant is used not only in folk medicine - pharmacology uses raw materials for the production of various drugs.

This grass is found everywhere, but most aggressively takes over landfills and wastelands. In addition, marina thorns are also cultivated in specialized farms in order to have sufficient quantities of medicinal raw materials.

The plant lives up to its name - its large, pinnately lobed green leaves are covered with white spots. Along the edges of the elliptical shape, the shiny leaves are framed by teeth with yellowish spines.

The height of the erect thick stem reaches one and a half meters. It is ribbed, with felt pubescence. But the white, yellowish, pink, purple or lilac flowers collected in apical baskets are very small. They are tubular, bisexual and also have a spiny involucre.

Milk thistle fruits are used as a medicinal raw material. They contain achenes up to 7 mm long, black or dark brown. Oblong lines are clearly visible on the body of the achene, and it is crowned with a long tuft of hair.

The main component of milk thistle, for which the plant is valued, is flavonolignans, which affect liver function. They contain about 4%. In addition, the seeds contain other vital substances.

Main composition of milk thistle seeds

Milk thistle also contains mucus, resins, biogenic amines, and a large composition of vitamins. The herb is also valued for the fact that it contains a substance rarely found in nature - silymarin and its derivative, the flavonoid silybin.

Thanks to its chemical composition, the plant has many beneficial properties and is recommended not only for treating diseases, but also for preventing their occurrence. Among the large list of effects of plant seeds on the body are the following:

• silymarin is a biologically active component with antioxidant properties; it not only protects membranes, but also promotes the formation of new cells, and is also a good stimulator of protein synthesis;
• silybin is able to protect the liver; it has various negative effects on the organ, therefore milk thistle is the strongest hepatoprotector;
• Milk thistle is also good as a restorative remedy after taking medications that negatively affect the liver;
• with the help of herbs, dysbacteriosis is effectively treated and headaches are relieved;
• this is an excellent antihistamine, so the plant is also used to treat allergies;
• milk thistle is prescribed as an aid for diseases of the spleen;
• the herb affects the production of bile in sufficient quantities for digestion, which has a beneficial effect on digestion;
• cleanses of toxins, removes cholesterol, normalizes sugar levels;
• promotes hematopoiesis, treats varicose veins and prevents blood clots;
• indications for the use of milk thistle are also colitis and constipation;
• in folk medicine, milk thistle is often recommended for psoriasis, acne vulgaris, lichen ruber, vitiligo and other types of dermatoses;
• good results can be obtained in the treatment of alopecia;
• helps with cramps, radiculitis, joint pain, salt deposits;
• The plant also has an effect against colds, as well as dental problems;
• remedies from marina thorn will relieve swelling and relieve urinary retention;
• tea from this herb is recommended as a supplement to courses of radiation and chemotherapy, which adversely affect the liver;
• milk thistle is recommended for women to treat gynecological diseases;
• preparations of this plant activate metabolic processes, which allows the herb to be used in diets for weight loss.

Homeopaths recommend the use of milk thistle in therapeutic therapy for those who seek to get rid of alcohol or drug addiction. In addition to the seeds, you can also use the leaves of the plant - they have diaphoretic and laxative properties.

The seeds are ground to a flour-like state to obtain meal. It is valued for its high content of vitamins from group B. Raw materials are recommended to be used to nourish the heart muscle, regulate fat metabolism, and improve the functioning of the nervous system.

Meal is prescribed for the treatment of diseases affecting the organs of vision. The product has a positive effect on intestinal motility and relieves constipation. It has a choleretic and anti-sclerotic effect, useful in the treatment of skin diseases.

Milk thistle powder tastes good and is non-toxic, so it is used in the food industry - added to confectionery products and made into a coffee surrogate. At home, it is recommended to brew the meal in the form of teas or add the powder to salads, using it as an addition to weight loss diets. The antioxidant properties of the plant will not only help you maintain an attractive appearance, but will also significantly delay the aging of the body.

Although they say that there is no panacea, milk thistle can safely be assigned this status - there are almost no contraindications for its use, but there are some restrictions:

• when cleaning the liver, pain often occurs in the right hypochondrium;
• treatment of cholelithiasis, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor;
• Prescribe the drug with caution to pregnant women and children under 4 years of age;
• You should not combine milk thistle and contraceptives, as the effect of the latter weakens;
• despite the fact that marina thorn is an antihistamine, its preparations can provoke allergic reactions in the form of a rash and asthmatic shortness of breath;
• due to the rich content of phosphorus and potassium in the seeds, people with heart disease should use the herb with caution, and if there is shortness of breath, it is better to completely exclude it from therapy;
• But for epilepsy, severe depression and mental disorders, doctors categorically prohibit the use of milk thistle preparations internally.

It is not recommended to prescribe milk thistle on your own; prior consultation with your doctor is necessary. If he decides to introduce preparations of this plant into therapy, then this should be done gradually, starting with small doses.

Milk thistle is taken in courses, between which significant breaks should be taken. Otherwise, addiction will occur, which will reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

Medicinal properties of milk thistle: video

The main focus of the properties of this plant is to protect liver functions. Pharmacologically produced drugs and folk compositions help rid this organ of toxic lesions. Milk thistle has a powerful effect against hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.

Milk thistle - liver treatment: video

To make the effect of treating liver cirrhosis stronger, folk therapy should be added to drug therapy - use a decoction of the seeds. To prepare it, take 2 tbsp. raw materials and boil in half a liter of water until the solution decreases in volume by 2 times.

After letting it brew for a while, the broth is filtered and taken in doses of 100 g at intervals recommended by the doctor - three times before meals or every 12 hours (an individual approach is required here).

Seed powder gives a good result, for which they are ground in a coffee grinder. Thanks to its neutral taste, it is easy to consume the meal in dry form (1 tsp.), washed down with a small amount of water. The duration of the course and frequency are agreed with the attending physician.

As mentioned above, the plant is actively used in pharmacology. Based on milk thistle, various hepatoprotectors are produced in tablets and capsules, in the form of oils and tinctures. The most common of them are “Silimar”, “Silibor”, “Karsil”, “Legalon”, “GepaBene”, “Sibektan”. In addition to milk thistle, the preparations also contain other herbs that have a positive effect on liver function.

Recently, Biokor dietary supplements have become popular, which are recommended not only for liver problems, but also for the treatment of the pancreas. The biologically active food supplement is also good for prevention, as a protective and strengthening agent.

Traditional medicine recipes

Maryina thorn has been used in folk therapy for a long time. Mentions of it are even found in the treatises of the ancient healer Galen and the ancient Greek Dioscorides. Nowadays, the plant has become fashionable again, and its properties are often compared to echinacea.

Before brewing milk thistle, its seeds should be ground in a coffee grinder (or buy ready-made meal). Boil half a liter of water and pour it over 30 g of crushed seeds. Then the product is evaporated by half in a water bath, filtered through gauze folded in 3 layers, and take 1 tbsp. every 60 min. Drink the decoction for 1 to 2 months, then take a break for 14 days.

The previous recipe can also be used for hepatitis. Or use this recommendation - for 40 days, take dry powder (1 tsp) 4 times a day, washed down with warm water 20 minutes before meals. Then they take a break for 2 weeks and resume the course. Treatment usually lasts for 6-12 months, depending on the degree of the disease.

For hepatitis and other liver problems, milk thistle seed sprouts are useful. It is enough to eat 1 tablespoon per day, waiting until 2 leaves form on the sprouts. Such seeds are the most saturated with biologically active substances.

But to treat joints, it is better to take the root of the plant - it also contains many useful elements. The root is crushed and 1 tbsp. pour a glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid, keep in a water bath for about 30-40 minutes, then filter. During this time, the liquid will boil down, so it will need to be brought to its original volume by adding boiled water. Take 1 tbsp three times.

Milk thistle oil, which can be bought at a pharmacy, will help with burns. The sore spot is pre-treated with an antiseptic, then covered with a bandage soaked in oil. If there is no suppuration, then the bandage can be changed every 2 days until the problem is resolved.

Fresh milk thistle leaves can also be applied to burns (as well as wounds and abrasions). It is necessary to take large ones, from the bottom of the trunk. The thorns are cut off from them, then the leaves are crushed and applied to sore spots. The dressing should be changed 2 times a day.

Depending on the disease affecting the skin, choose the appropriate recipe:

• for rash, 20 minutes before each meal session, take 1 tsp orally. crushed seeds;
• for allergic rashes, drink a tablespoon of plant decoction (3 tablespoons per 3 cups of boiling water);
• for eczema and other skin problems, massage milk thistle oil into the affected areas; if there are complications, then applications will be needed, which should be changed every day.

The oil can also be taken orally - 1 tsp twice a day before meals, combined with external procedures. By drinking the oil once a day - on an empty stomach, you can get rid of acne on the face that occurs due to a failure of metabolic processes.

To treat varicose veins, prepare herbal tea - pour 1 tsp into a glass of boiling water. meal and leave for 15 minutes. After straining, drink the drink half an hour before meals. And so three times a day - for breakfast, lunch and before bed, each time preparing a fresh drink. You can enhance the healing effect and improve the taste of tea using mint, which is combined with powder in a 1:1 ratio.

Milk thistle oil is an excellent cleanser. It is taken half an hour before breakfast and dinner, 1 tbsp. over a long period. The effect of losing weight will not begin to appear immediately - first the body will cleanse itself of toxins, and only then will the gradual burning of fat begin.

For constipation, you can use the same recipe that is recommended for the treatment of gastritis, or drink the meal with water 5 times a day. Milk thistle juice made from fresh leaves also has a good effect. Take 5 large sheets, squeeze out the juice and mix it with 3 tbsp. alcohol (70%), and all this is poured into milk (1 l). Take 30 drops before meals.

To remove toxic substances from the body, it is recommended to take not only the seeds, but the entire plant - with leaves and roots. The raw materials are crushed, take 2 tbsp. and pour boiling water (3 cups). Leave for 12 hours, strain and drink a partial glass before each meal.

Children are prescribed milk thistle with caution - a quarter glass and only an hour after eating. The product is prepared with hot milk (1 glass), which is poured into 1 tbsp. seeds The composition is brought to a boil, immediately removed, covered with a lid, wrapped in a blanket and kept for 12 hours. Then they boil again, filter and give it to the child.

The most valuable form of milk thistle is the oil, which is obtained from the seeds. It can be used externally (to treat wounds, burns, skin diseases) or taken orally. In terms of its biochemical properties, the product is in no way inferior to sea buckthorn oil.

The product can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently at home. For this, 5 tsp. seeds are poured with vegetable oil (half a liter) and steamed in a water bath for 10 minutes. Once the oil has cooled, it should be stored in the refrigerator.

The oil, like the seeds themselves, is a good hepatoprotective and choleretic agent. Most of the product contains a whole complex of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The product contains a large amount of fat-soluble vitamins - A, D, F, but I especially want to highlight tocopherol, which gives the oil antioxidant properties.

The composition also contains keratinoids and chlorophyll, which makes it possible to effectively use milk thistle oils for the following problems:

• acids bind cholesterol, preventing it from settling on the walls of blood vessels, and promote its rapid removal from the body;
• in combination with meal, this remedy helps to effectively treat atherosclerosis.
• milk thistle oil improves metabolic processes, stimulates tissue restoration and rejuvenation;
• influencing the body from the inside, it stimulates hematopoiesis;
• When applied externally, good anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties are observed.

Oil is not only a therapeutic and prophylactic remedy for diseases, but also an excellent dietary product that promotes weight loss and rejuvenation of the body.

As can be seen from the article, milk thistle is an excellent effective remedy that gives results even in severe diseases. Grass seeds are stored for at least 3 years, so you can periodically treat yourself to medicinal teas for preventive purposes.

By the way, there will be a remedy even after a feast with an abundance of fatty foods and alcohol - it will facilitate the functioning of the liver and gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, you can consume milk thistle in any form - dry powders, decoctions, oils or purchased tablets (it all depends on individual preferences).

This plant has rare qualities because it is based on a unique component - silymarin. The use of milk thistle for medicinal purposes affects many functions of the body, causing improved performance. It is useful to get acquainted with the medicinal qualities of this plant.

Milk thistle herb - its properties and uses

This medicinal raw material – milk thistle or milk thistle – is used in many recipes of official and traditional medicine. All parts of the plant are used - seeds, roots, leaves. The beneficial properties of milk thistle are based on the substance silymarin, which is a natural hepatoprotector and has a powerful antioxidant effect. With the help of milk thistle you get:

• neutralize toxins;
• protect, restore cell membranes;
• intensify the growth of new ones;
• synthesize protein compounds;
• produce bile.

The benefit of milk thistle is that the medicinal components included in the composition contribute to:

• normalization of metabolic processes;
• wound healing;
• establishing hormone balance;
• normalization of blood circulation;
• eliminating inflammation;
• regulation of water metabolism;
• strengthening the immune system;
• carrying out disinfection;
• general strengthening effect;
• preventing the formation of cancer cells.

Milk thistle is used in the form of oil, seeds, leaves, meal. Prescribed drugs for treatment:

• liver diseases;
• dysbacteriosis;
• problems with urination;
• gallbladder diseases;
• hemorrhoids;
• constipation;
• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• thyroid diseases;
• myopathies;
• radiculitis;
• baldness;
• stomatitis;
• dermatitis;
• allergic manifestations;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• peptic ulcer;
• arthritis.

A decoction is made from milk thistle root. To do this, it is dried and crushed. The leaves can be brewed and drunk as tea. The peculiarity of milk thistle is that when treated with heat, the content of useful substances decreases. It is recommended to use fresh leaves for salads and wound dressings after grinding. Milk thistle juice is used in treatment plans, which is used:

• for the purpose of wiping the skin of the face against rashes;
• for compresses on joints;
• Drink for constipation and colitis.

Milk thistle oil - beneficial properties and contraindications

The use of the oil composition of a medicinal plant is very effective. Milk thistle preparations are used by cosmetologists to prepare masks to treat hair and improve facial skin tone. The use of milk thistle in dermatology has good reviews; it can be used to treat:

• psoriasis;
• burns;
• dermatitis;
• allergic rashes;
• ulcers;
• wounds, cracks.

Milk thistle oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids. If you take capsules orally, you can achieve good results:

• improve the elasticity of blood vessels;
• support the heart muscle;
• speed up recovery after radiation exposure;
• reduce cholesterol levels;
• improve the functioning of the pancreas;
• reduce pain;
• accelerate the healing of ulcers;
• increase bile production;
• improve blood clotting;
• prevent the development of diabetes.

Milk thistle seeds - medicinal properties and contraindications

Plants in the form of seeds are used to prepare oil and meal, but the best method is germination. The active characteristics of milk thistle are enhanced. Due to the increased amount of bioflavonoids, nearby antioxidants are stimulated. The medicinal properties of sprouted grains help:

• strengthen intestinal motility;
• restore liver function;
• improve kidney function;
• boost immunity;
• accelerate wound healing;
• normalize the functioning of blood vessels.

When using milk thistle seeds for medicinal purposes, you must remember that it is not always beneficial for the body. It should be taken into account that as a result of using the drug, side effects may occur - discomfort, pain in the liver, diarrhea, allergic reactions. There are contraindications for use:

• the presence of large stones in the gall bladder - the likelihood of their movement;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• dyspnea;
• mental illness;
• drug intolerance;
• children under 12 years of age;
• pregnancy;
• lactation.

Milk thistle meal - benefits and harm

The use of this plant after seed processing has received excellent reviews. Milk thistle meal is obtained by grinding it into powder. Thanks to the large amount of fiber in the composition, the following occurs:

• purgation;
• stimulation of peristalsis;
• tissue restoration;
• removal of toxins, waste;
• nutrition of microflora;
• cholesterol reduction.

What are the benefits of milk thistle in the form of meal? The drug is taken for the following purposes:

• normalization of fat metabolism;
• treatment of liver diseases;
• improving bile excretion;
• pressure stabilization;
• reducing sugar levels;
• restoration of kidney function;
• treatment of skin diseases;
• stimulating the removal of toxins;
• reducing the harmful effects of chemotherapy.

Milk thistle honey - beneficial properties

To enhance the active effect of the plant, fields are specially sown with it so that bees collect nectar. The resulting milk thistle honey helps improve health. If you take into account the contraindications - allergies and diabetes, then consuming this product will help:

• stabilize the work of the railway complex;
• reduce weight;
• produce bile;
• normalize liver functions;
• eliminate constipation.

The healing properties of milk thistle, when combined with honey, have a general strengthening effect and contribute to:

• stabilization of the nervous system;
• normalization of pressure;
• recovery after poisoning, intoxication;
• activation of metabolic processes;
• treatment of skin diseases;
• improvement of condition after chemotherapy;
• treatment of varicose veins.

Milk thistle for the liver

The medicinal properties of milk thistle have proven their effectiveness in healing the liver. The product is a powerful herbal hepatoprotector that helps protect the walls of the organ from the penetration of harmful substances. Milk thistle is prescribed to be taken for treatment:

• cholelithiasis;
• hepatitis A;
• cholecystitis;
• cirrhosis;
• fatty infiltration.

Cleansing the liver with milk thistle has received good reviews - due to its antioxidant properties, toxic substances are quickly eliminated. The use of the plant promotes:

• relieving inflammation;
• liquefaction, removal of bile;
• accelerating cell regeneration;
• reducing the likelihood of stone formation;
• removing fat from cells;
• formation of healthy cells.

Milk thistle during pregnancy

Since the substances included in the composition are highly active, it is not recommended to use milk thistle during pregnancy, even if there are indications. This is due to the strong influence of the silymarin it contains on hormonal levels. There is no exact data on the effect of the plant on fetal development - a woman should not risk harming her unborn child.