Milk the fruits. First aid for the liver: The unique healing properties of milk thistle. Milk thistle - treatment and recipes

Milk thistle, which is also often called tartar, is a very popular plant. This grass with inexpressive lilac flowers and whitish leaves often grows near roads, in vegetable gardens, in clearings, and near ponds. The plant is mistaken for a common weed and is dealt with mercilessly. But it is worth remembering that the unique medicinal properties of milk thistle help to significantly improve health and normalize well-being.

Unique composition of the product

The most ordinary and unremarkable milk thistle seeds have a unique composition. They contain a wide range of valuable microelements, vitamins, and beneficial acids. Also included in the composition of the tartar is silymarin, which is a whole group of flavonolignans. The substance is aimed at normalizing the functioning of the liver and restoring it.

By the way, it is the medicinal properties of milk thistle for the liver that are most valuable. The beneficial plant has various effects on this organ:

1. anti-inflammatory;
2. antioxidant;
3. restorative;
4. protective;
5. antiallergic.

The value of milk thistle for liver health

Silybin, contained in grass seeds, allows the production of a special enzyme. It effectively counteracts liver damage caused by free radicals. With the help of this plant, toxins and waste products are effectively removed from the body.. Plus, it relieves inflammatory processes, and silymarin, which is part of the tartar plant, blocks the negative effects of alcohols, poisons, and antibiotics on the body.

Milk thistle root, like other parts of the plant, helps restore the membranes of old and damaged cells. The plant activates the process of emergence of new “elements” of this type. This type of thistle perfectly cleanses liver cells. Thanks to this unique ability, the medicinal herb significantly reduces the severity of allergic reactions.

But it is worth noting that not only silymarin, which is most concentrated in the fruits of the plant, has a positive effect on the human body. The amazing medicinal properties of milk thistle are also due to the high content of fatty acids, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, valuable macro- and microelements in its various parts, retinol, vitamins D, B and K.

The combination of all these components has a beneficial effect primarily on the functioning of the liver. If milk thistle in capsules or other forms is taken in courses, the risk of fatty liver is reduced significantly. The medicinal plant stabilizes and normalizes all metabolic processes that occur in this important organ. It helps block the development and progression of pathologies. By means of preparations based on tartar, the degree of self-cleansing of the liver significantly increases.

Benefits of the plant for the skin, gall bladder and other systems

By the way, the medicinal properties of milk thistle tablets also have a beneficial effect on the functioning of other body systems. A course of taking medications based on this healing plant helps normalize the functioning of the gallbladder. Tatarnik facilitates and increases the flow of bile.

Also, infusions created from the seeds of this representative of the world of flora help well in the treatment of pharyngitis, sore throat, periodontal disease, stomatitis, and colds.

Plus, milk thistle oil and its decoction are effectively used in dermatological practice. Such natural remedies contribute to a productive fight against:

• eczema;
• acne;
• vitiligo;
• psoriasis;
• dermatitis;
• burns;
• neurodermatitis;
• baldness;
• trophic ulcers.

A decoction of this variety of thistle can be taken even during pregnancy. A unique natural remedy perfectly helps to normalize the condition of early toxicosis, which is the most severe. Plus, within the framework of traditional medicine, medicinal compositions obtained on the basis of tartar are good in the treatment of pathologies of the spleen and pancreas. Unique milk thistle powder helps provide the necessary assistance for osteochondrosis, cholecystitis, and salt deposits.

Wide range of beneficial properties of milk thistle

It is impossible not to make a reservation that the benefits of tartar are manifested in the treatment of diseases associated with disorders and problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Medicines obtained by pharmacists based on this variety of thistle will become an effective prevention of heart attacks and strokes. But the plant will be beneficial if you drink the appropriate remedies systematically.

Milk thistle will help alleviate the condition of patients with obesity, diabetes mellitus, jaundice, acquired immunodeficiency, liver cirrhosis, and varicose veins.

Tatarnik is also used in oncology. A unique feature of this medicinal plant is that it (in the form of tinctures and decoctions) helps alleviate the condition of those who have undergone radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or been exposed to radiation.

It is impossible not to make a reservation that ground milk thistle, as in any other form, contains histamine, tryptophan, tyramine and a series of flavonoids. Tartar also contains chlorophyll. Its unique feature is that the substance has a rejuvenating effect on the human body. Plus, this natural component favors all recovery processes in the human body. Aging is also slowed down by carotenoids included in the product.

Another unique feature of this herbal “healer” is that it significantly minimizes the harm of nervous overloads, which contribute to the accumulation of bad substances in the human body. But agrimony and milk thistle also help well with inflammation of the spleen, cholelithiasis, inflammation of the bile ducts, and hemorrhoids.

Help in cleansing the body and losing weight

Sprouted milk thistle is very useful, as it perfectly cleanses the blood of toxins. The list of beneficial properties of the plant can be continued with wound-healing properties, promoting tissue renewal and regeneration, and helping to restore the walls of blood vessels. Also, the natural product effectively removes stones and sand from the kidneys, solves all kinds of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and regulates blood sugar levels. It normalizes this figure.

Plus, valuable milk thistle sprouts are an excellent means for weight loss. If you constantly take this product, then losing weight will not be difficult. The whole point is that the natural remedy perfectly frees the body of toxins and waste, which are precisely what prevents you from losing extra pounds.

The value of milk thistle honey

Milk thistle honey deserves special attention, as it has many beneficial properties. This natural product, created on the basis of this variety of thistle, is enriched with large amounts of chromium, zinc, manganese, iodine, potassium, and calcium. It contains many minerals and valuable organic substances. All of them together make this natural sweetness very healthy. Milk thistle honey is a salvation for the liver.

This product is recommended to be included in their daily diet by people who like to eat fast food, fatty and too spicy foods, refuse proper nutrition, and abuse alcoholic beverages and dry foods. Tartar honey increases the protective properties of the liver and optimizes the restoration of the gallbladder at the cellular level.

How is milk thistle meal beneficial for the body?

The medicinal properties of milk thistle meal, which is essentially a powder, are no less diverse. The product is made from the spotted variety of the plant and is often used to strengthen the immune system. It helps normalize metabolic processes and significantly improves appetite, especially in situations where it is absent due to nervous shock and stress.

Milk thistle meal is also an excellent remedy in the fight against skin imperfections. The powder is often used for cosmetic purposes, since it is quite difficult to come up with a more effective natural product for cleansing the skin. The product can be used to create homemade masks designed to care for the face. The product will help remove toxins from the upper layers of the epidermis and saturate the tissues with oxygen. The product eliminates acne, pimples and post-acne.

Many summer residents have more than once seen this grass growing along with weeds on their plots. It is quite difficult to pull it out, because powerful long roots tenaciously hold the plant in the ground. It is impossible to touch it without gardening canvas gloves, since the hard, spotted leaves are covered with many sharp, prickly thorns. As it grows, it begins to bloom with small pink flowers.

This plant is one of the subspecies of thistle and is found almost everywhere as a weed: along roadsides, in fields, vacant lots and landfills, in gardens and vegetable gardens. It is completely unpretentious to soils, climatic conditions of growth and amount of precipitation. All the more surprising is the fact that this rather aggressive weed, which gardeners spend a lot of effort fighting, is a valuable medicinal plant.

What is milk thistle?

This is what milk thistle looks like, photo

Many people know this herb as marin, milk thistle, or variegated thistle, and its scientific name is spotted milk thistle. This fairly tall plant reaches a height of 1 to 1.5 meters, belongs to the Asteraceae family and can be grown as an annual or biennial. The homeland of milk thistle is considered to be the Mediterranean coast, from where the herbaceous plant spread almost throughout the world.

The large, oblong leaves have a wavy shape and patterned edges, and their glossy green surface is covered with intricate white patterns. It is this “marbled” pattern on the leaves that distinguishes milk thistle from other types of thistle. It blooms from mid-summer to autumn, and although the flowers are not very decorative, the spectacular leaves of this plant, covered with long sharp spines, can serve as a decoration for any garden.

In addition to its decorative qualities, milk thistle also has a number of medicinal properties, which are due to the presence of rare biologically active substances and healing components in the plant, in particular silymarin. It is beneficial for the liver because it protects it from intoxication, the destructive effects of alcohol, heavy metals and other aggressive substances, helps restore liver cells and strengthens cell membranes.

Historical documents contain references to the use of milk thistle as a medicine. Healers from different countries have successfully used the medicinal properties of milk thistle to treat diseases not only of the liver, but also of other organs. In the second half of the last century, interest in the plant was renewed after scientific research into its medicinal qualities.

The healing properties of milk thistle - why is it useful?

The main active ingredients contained in this plant are unique natural compounds: flavonolignans, which protect the liver from toxins, and flavonoids, which have antioxidant and antibacterial effects. They prevent the penetration of toxins into liver cells, weaken and suppress the effect of toxic substances and begin to decompose them before they can exert their harmful effects.

In addition to them, milk thistle contains macro- and microelements (zinc, copper, selenium), proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins E and K, alkaloids, saponins, amino acids, fatty oils, tyramine, histamine and other biologically active substances. Ripe milk thistle seeds are used as the most effective medicine, but all parts of the plant have medicinal properties.

Preparations made from milk thistle help protect the liver and strengthen cell membranes, improve the function of this organ, normalize digestion, neutralize the effects of harmful compounds on the body, stimulate the formation and excretion of bile, and improve metabolism.

The beneficial properties of milk thistle are widely used to treat diseases of the liver and gallbladder: acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and toxic liver damage, colic, and bile duct diseases. In addition, the product has proven itself in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, skin, respiratory tract, hemorrhoids and a number of gynecological diseases.

Use of milk thistle in medicine

In addition to people with diseases of the liver, thyroid gland and spleen, milk thistle is recommended for use by people who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation, as well as to eliminate the consequences of intoxication in the body in the presence of alcohol and drug addiction, food and other poisoning.

As a preventative measure, milk thistle preparations are indicated for people living in unfavorable environmental conditions and polluted areas, working with toxic materials in hazardous industries. All parts of this amazing plant are used for medicinal and preventive purposes. Various medicines are obtained from them:

1. Milk thistle seeds. They are the most valuable part of the plant, since they contain silymarin. The seeds, ground into powder, are used to prepare medicinal infusions and decoctions.
2. Milk thistle meal. It is a cake remaining after extracting oil from seeds. It is a powerful antioxidant that has virtually no contraindications. Modern medicine recommends the use of milk thistle meal for the following indications: as maintenance therapy for hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, for the treatment of cholecystitis, dyspepsia, disorders of the stomach, intestines and gall bladder.
3. Milk thistle oil. Produced from seeds by cold pressing or extraction. It is characterized by a high content of valuable polyunsaturated acids, fat-soluble vitamins and silymarin. It has hepatoprotective, tonic, choleretic, laxative, wound healing, antiulcer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Effective for healing wounds and burns, as a preventative against frostbite and chapping of the skin. As part of facial skin care products, milk thistle oil has a rejuvenating effect, improves skin condition, elasticity and complexion.
4. Alcohol and water extracts. Used to enhance the formation and excretion of bile, relieve spasms of smooth muscles, treat functional liver pathologies and mild digestive disorders.
5. The pharmaceutical industry produces many drugs from milk thistle for the liver: “Bonjigar”, “Gepabene”, “Silibor”, “Karsil”, “Legalon”, “Zdravushka”, “Gepasil”. You can buy any of these medications at a pharmacy and take them as prescribed by your doctor in the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. These drugs normalize the amount of bile produced, facilitate its flow through the bile ducts, protect liver cells from toxins and promote their restoration, and normalize liver function in various pathological conditions.
6. Herbal tea based on fruits. It is used to prevent diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, as a general tonic, giving strength and increasing vitality. Herbal tea can also be prepared from the leaves of the plant, brewing them with boiling water and infusing for 10-20 minutes.
7. Milk thistle syrup. It is used as one of the means of complex therapy in the treatment of diseases of the liver, stomach (gastritis), and cardiovascular diseases.
8. Root decoction. It is taken as a gargle for toothache, and internally to treat diarrhea and inflammation of the gastric mucosa, and also as a diuretic.

To make a decoction of the roots, take 1 tablespoon of dried and crushed plant roots, place them in an enamel bowl, pour a glass of boiling water, bring to a boil and cook for 30 minutes in a water bath. Then the broth must be strained, topped up with boiling water to a volume of 200 ml and drunk 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon 20 minutes before meals.

Take milk thistle powder (meal), flour or seeds ground in a coffee grinder for the liver, one teaspoon three times a day, 20-30 minutes before meals, washed down with plenty of warm water. This remedy is used for a course of 40 days. If necessary, the course is repeated after 2-3 weeks.

For preventive purposes, ground seeds, flour or meal are consumed once a day, in the morning on an empty stomach, one teaspoon, washed down with plenty of water. Milk thistle powder can also be used for cosmetic purposes by adding it to face masks, peeling or ubtan.

As a general tonic, to increase immunity and the body's resistance to colds and infectious diseases, traditional medicine recommends drinking tea from milk thistle meal.

To prepare it, pour one teaspoon of the product into a glass or ceramic bowl of boiling water, cover with a lid and leave for 10-15 minutes, strain. You should drink 1/3 cup of this tea three times a day. The course of taking this prophylactic drug is 1 week.

To prepare the decoction, you need to take 30 grams of milk thistle seeds, grind them in a coffee grinder, pour in 0.5 liters of boiling water and cook in a water bath until the volume of liquid is reduced by half. Then the broth should be filtered and taken 1 tablespoon every hour during the day, from 8-00 to 20-00.

This remedy is recommended for toxic liver damage, cirrhosis, hepatitis, during radiation and chemotherapy. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, then you need to take a two-week break and repeat the course of treatment.

Contraindications and precautions

Those who hear about the medicinal properties of milk thistle for the first time will probably be interested not only in its beneficial properties, but also in its contraindications. Like any medicine used in folk medicine, milk thistle must be consumed with precautions. Although this drug has virtually no contraindications, uncontrolled use will not give the expected results.

Before starting use, you should consult a doctor, and during treatment you must follow the dosage specified by the manufacturer. It is not recommended to take milk thistle during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or give it to children without a pediatrician's prescription.

You should not use medications from this plant if there is blockage of the bile ducts, the presence of stones in the gall bladder, or if you are individually intolerant to the product.

As a rule, taking milk thistle is well tolerated by the body. However, if your health worsens or pain occurs, you should stop using it.

If you decide to grow this herbaceous plant in your garden, rest assured that its cultivation will not require any effort or time from you. This grass will grow almost like a weed, decorating your site with picturesque patterned rosettes of its large spotted leaves.

Milk thistle is very unpretentious to weather, climatic conditions and soil composition. The only thing it doesn't like is heavy, marshy soils. It is better to select a dry, sunny area for planting. This large plant requires quite a lot of space, so do not plant seeds or seedlings too densely. The distance between rows should be at least 0.5 m, and between plants in a row - 0.4 m.

Milk thistle begins to bloom in July, and already in August you can start collecting seeds. All parts of the plant have beneficial properties, but it is the seeds of milk thistle that contain the miraculous silymarin. The capsules with fully ripened seeds are carefully cut off and dried.

• The roots and leaves of the plant are harvested in late autumn, after the end of the flowering period.

Milk thistle is a tall herbaceous plant from the Aster family, with large variegated leaves covered with white spots, with purple-lilac inflorescences.

Summer residents often call this plant “sharp - variegated”, for the marble variegated pattern on the leaves and for the large sharp yellow spines that are located along the edges of the leaves and on the leaves surrounding the flower basket, and people also call milk thistle “frogwort”, “Maryin tartar” ", "milk thistle". Milk thistle grows quickly and blooms until frost.

Milk thistle is an unpretentious, drought- and cold-resistant plant that grows everywhere. Found along roads and in vacant lots. Many summer residents decorate their summer cottages with this tall ornamental plant and grow it as a valuable medicinal plant.

Chemical composition of milk thistle

Milk thistle has many medicinal properties, as its chemical composition contains more than 200 useful components. Macroelements were found in the roots, leaves and seeds of the plant - potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and microelements such as zinc, copper, selenium, boron, manganese, iodine, chromium, etc.

It also contains the entire group of vitamins A, D, F, E, K and B vitamins, alkaloids, flavonoids and flavonolignans, proteins, resins, tyramine, histamine, fatty oil and other components.

But the most valuable and useful is the biologically active substance silymarin, which protects, cleanses, strengthens and restores the liver.

Medicinal and beneficial properties of milk thistle

All parts of the plant are rich in nutrients and have medicinal properties. Milk thistle roots, seeds, and leaves are used as medicinal raw materials.

Decoctions are prepared from the roots and seeds, which are used to treat the stomach, liver and other internal organs; decoctions are drunk for diarrhea and urinary retention, for convulsions and radiculitis.

Milk thistle seeds produce oil, flour and meal - powdered seeds that enhance the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, prevent the deposition of salts and varicose veins, and help with diseases of the liver, spleen and other organs.

Powder from the seeds cleanses the blood and reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels, removes toxins and waste from the body, excess fluid, and helps in the fight against excess weight.

Milk thistle oil has a wound-healing effect, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and is used externally for the treatment of wounds and burns, for allergic reactions and skin diseases, for the treatment of sore throat and gynecological diseases, and is used internally for gastritis and stomach ulcers, for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract.

The oil also has an anti-sclerotic effect, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and is widely used in the treatment of the cardiovascular system.

The oil is rich in nutrients and vitamins, nourishes and rejuvenates the skin, enhances hair growth, saturates the blood and improves vision, improves body tone and strengthens the immune system.

The leaves are used to prepare juice, which is drunk as a laxative for constipation, as a diuretic and choleretic agent, and the leaves can also be used to prepare salads and side dishes.

Uses of milk thistle

Milk thistle has been used for a long time as a powerful medicine in official and folk medicine for the treatment of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and jaundice.

Milk thistle preparations are used for gallstone disease, cholecystitis and diseases of the genitourinary system, diabetes, for diseases of the spleen, thyroid gland, gastrointestinal tract, for the treatment of the cardiovascular system, for radiculitis and salt deposits, for joint pain, for dilated veins and hemorrhoids, for psoriasis, acne, baldness, diseases of the respiratory tract and oral cavity.

With the help of milk thistle, edema and dropsy are treated, and it also helps fight excess weight.

It is used for poisoning caused by alcohol, toxins, drugs, narcotic substances, radiation, to cleanse the liver and blood, after a course of chemotherapy.

Milk thistle is part of pharmacological preparations and is widely used in dermatology, homeopathy, and for the manufacture of dietary supplements.

In cooking, milk thistle flour is added to confectionery and bakery products, and is also used in the production of soft and alcoholic drinks.

Milk thistle seed oil is used not only for treatment, but also for dietary and diabetic nutrition, and is added to porridges and salads. The oil is used in cosmetology for hair care, facial skin, hand care, and for massage.

Contraindications for use

Milk thistle is a medicinal plant; milk thistle preparations, like any medicine, should be used after consultation with your doctor!

When treating milk thistle, no side effects have been identified; only some patients may experience mild pain in the liver in the first days of taking milk thistle, but it quickly passes.

Contraindications for use are appendicitis, pancreatitis, hepatic and renal colic, diarrhea and individual intolerance to milk thistle preparations.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be treated with milk thistle preparations with caution and only after consultation with their doctor; it is also not recommended to consume milk thistle for children under 12 years of age.

Traditional recipes for using milk thistle

Milk thistle is very popular among traditional healers. Moreover, in folk medicine all parts of the plant are used. Decoctions, infusions, tinctures, juice are prepared from the roots, leaves and seeds of milk thistle; meal and oil are made from the seeds, which are widely used to treat numerous ailments.

We offer you recipes from traditional healers that you can prepare at home and use to treat ailments, strengthen and cleanse the body.

Milk thistle decoctions

Decoctions are prepared from roots, seeds, leaves, meal and are used to treat liver diseases, to cleanse the body of toxins and waste, and for poisoning with alcohol, drugs and medications.

Recipe for a decoction to treat hepatitis

Pour 30 grams of crushed seeds into 0.5 liters of hot water, bring to a boil, simmer over low heat until the volume is reduced by half. Drink 1 tablespoon every hour from 8 am to 8 pm. The course of treatment is three weeks. Then you need to take a two-week break and drink the decoction for another 21 days.

Decoction for cleansing and treating the liver, for wounds and ulcers

Crushed seeds - 30 grams, pour half a liter of hot water, boil in a water bath until the water is reduced by half. Strain the broth and take 1 tablespoon every hour for 1-2 months. The decoction can be used as a compress to treat wounds and ulcers.

Decoction for salt deposits

Pour 2 tablespoons of crushed seeds into 0.5 liters of water. Boil over low heat until the volume of the broth is reduced by half. Drink 1 teaspoon 4-5 times a day. The course of treatment is 1 month.

Recipe for a decoction for arthritis and osteochondrosis, for salt deposits, for diseases of the heart, liver, spleen, for cholecystitis, colitis, for inflammation of the biliary tract, for cramps, hemorrhoids, for varicose veins, for urinary retention, for acne and allergic rashes, psoriasis , for the treatment of baldness, to eliminate edema and remove excess fluid from the body, for gynecological diseases, to cleanse the liver, blood, and for diabetes mellitus

Pour one tablespoon of seed powder into 1 cup of boiling water, boil in a water bath for half an hour, remove from heat, leave for 10 minutes. Strain and add boiled water to the original volume. Take 1 tablespoon three times a day before meals.

A decoction for hepatitis, cirrhosis, poisoning of the body, after a course of radiation chemotherapy

Pour 3 tablespoons of crushed seeds into 0.5 liters of hot water, boil in a water bath until half the volume evaporates, strain, take 1 tablespoon every hour until the condition eases.

A remedy for the treatment of liver in children

Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed seeds into 1 glass of hot milk and bring to a boil. Leave overnight. In the morning, bring the broth to a boil again, give the child 50 ml of broth four times a day after meals.

Recipe for root decoction to cleanse the liver and body

Pour 1 tablespoon of roots with 1 cup of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 30 minutes, remove the broth from heat, strain, squeeze out the roots and bring to the original volume, diluting with boiled water. Take 1 tablespoon before meals 3 times a day.

Decoction of roots for rinsing for toothache

Pour 1 tablespoon of chopped roots into 1 glass of hot water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and leave for 1 hour. Strain the broth and use it to rinse a sore tooth, moisten a cotton swab in the decoction and apply it to the sore tooth and gum.

Milk thistle infusions

An infusion of seeds for alcoholism, varicose veins, indigestion, to cleanse the body.

Seed infusion recipe

Pour 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds into 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day half an hour before meals in the morning, at lunch and in the evening before bed.

Infusion of leaves and roots to remove toxic substances from the liver

In the evening, pour 2 tablespoons of crushed leaves and roots into half a liter of boiling water and leave overnight. Take according to? glasses three times a day.

Milk thistle tincture

The tincture prevents premature aging, protects the body from the effects of free radicals, cleanses the blood, and removes cholesterol. Is a powerful antioxidant.

Premature aging tincture recipe

Pour 50 grams of crushed seeds into half a liter of vodka. Leave in a dark place for 2 weeks, shaking the container periodically. Add 20 drops to a small amount of water, consume 3 times a day half an hour before meals.

Leaf juice

The juice from the leaves cleanses the body of waste and toxins and relieves headaches.
- fresh milk thistle leaves through a meat grinder, squeeze out the juice, drink 1-2 tablespoons on an empty stomach for 1 month.

Meal (milk thistle seeds crushed into powder)

Meal is used to cleanse the body, for the prevention and treatment of all of the above diseases. It can be taken in dry form, 1 teaspoon with water, four times a day, or brewed like tea. You can prepare decoctions from the meal, add it to porridge, baked goods, or use it as a breading agent.

Constipation remedy

Pour 1 teaspoon of powder into half a glass of warm boiled water. Drink on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before meals in the morning.

Milk thistle oil

The oil is used to treat all of the above diseases. Externally used to treat acne, pimples, in the form of microenemas for hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Milk thistle oil can be bought at the pharmacy, or you can prepare it at home.

Milk Thistle Oil Recipe

Pour 6 teaspoons of powdered seeds into half a liter of olive oil, boil for 15 minutes in a water bath, wrap in a towel for half an hour. Strain and take 1 teaspoon of oil three times a day half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 30-40 days. Along with the oil, it is recommended to take 1 teaspoon of dry powder - meal.

Cosmetic recipes from milk thistle

Milk thistle oil is used not only to treat many diseases, but is also used in home cosmetology to care for problematic, aging skin of the face and hands, for hair care, nail care, and for making anti-aging masks.

Milk thistle oil has beneficial properties, nourishes, rejuvenates and moisturizes the skin, gives it elasticity and firmness, smoothes out fine wrinkles, protects against frost and wind, cleanses, improves complexion, as it contains a large number of useful vitamins and substances. It is recommended to use the oil not only externally, but also internally, 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.

Acne mask recipe

Heat the oil, soak gauze in the oil, apply to the face for 15 minutes, leave the mask for 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
- soak a cotton swab in oil and lubricate your face morning and evening every day.

Mask recipe for dry, aging skin

Warm milk thistle oil slightly and rub into facial skin daily. After half an hour, pat your face with a dry cloth to remove excess oil.

Anti-aging mask recipe

Mix 3 tablespoons of milk thistle oil with 1 teaspoon of any essential oil, moisten gauze and apply to face and neck for 30 minutes. Remove any remaining oil with a napkin.

Evening facial massage with milk thistle oil

In the evening, after washing, it is recommended to massage your face with milk thistle oil. This procedure rejuvenates, tones, moisturizes and nourishes the skin, smoothes out fine wrinkles. Soothes irritation, relieves flaking and cleanses the skin, preventing the appearance of blackheads and blackheads. After the massage, the oil is not washed off the face and left overnight.

Hair strengthening mask

Milk thistle oil is used to strengthen hair, gives hair a natural shine, and promotes rapid growth.

Milk thistle is familiar to almost everyone - these lilac flowers on thin stems with whitish leaves grow along roads, in clearings near ponds, and in the garden. Many people simply remove this weed, without thinking that it can give a person health and slimness!

Traditional healers say a lot of good things about the benefits of milk thistle, but the importance and necessity of using this plant in treating the liver is also recognized by official medicine. Many medicines contain milk thistle seeds and oils, although in folk medicine both flowers and leaves of the plant are used to prepare medicinal products.

The seeds of the plant in question contain a whole range of useful substances: flavonoids, vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes, minerals. And the silymarin they contain makes milk thistle an excellent hepatoprotective agent.

What are the benefits of milk thistle for the liver:

In addition to the fact that milk thistle is actively used for the treatment and prevention of liver diseases, many more beneficial properties of this plant can be highlighted. These include:

1. Consuming milk thistle in the form of a decoction can alleviate the condition of pregnant women with severe early toxicosis.
2. If you have a history of diseases associated with disorders of the cardiovascular system, then to prevent strokes and heart attacks you need to use the plant in question in courses.
3. The use of milk thistle as a medicinal plant will also be advisable for acquired immunodeficiency, jaundice, and cirrhosis of the liver.
4. Drinking a decoction or tincture of milk thistle will also be recommended for those who have recently undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or been exposed to radioactive radiation.
5. The use of medicines based on milk thistle, as well as products from the “traditional medicine” category, will provide the necessary help with pathology of the pancreas and spleen, salt deposits, and osteochondrosis.
6. Milk thistle is also actively used in dermatological practice - it will become an effective medicine for burns, neurodermatitis, trophic ulcers, and eczema.
7. Fresh juice is prepared from milk thistle (from leaves and stems) - it is used in folk medicine to treat protracted ulcers, and official medicine recognizes the beneficial properties of milk thistle juice in the treatment of colitis.
8. Infusions from the seeds of the plant in question and decoctions can and should be used for pharyngitis, colds, and periodontal disease.

When the seeds of the plant in question are pressed, the result of this process will be the formation of not only oil, but also meal. Meal is a powdery substance that is rich in fiber content. It is this substance that is considered the best option for the treatment of intestinal diseases; the meal cleanses it, stimulates normal functioning, and normalizes microflora.

Milk thistle seed flour is simply a powder from the seeds, prepared without first pressing the oil. Flour is usually used to restore liver function - if you mix flour with the oil of the plant in question, you will get an excellent remedy for restoring liver cells - even the most popular, modern drugs from the pharmacological industry cannot boast of such active healing properties.

Note:For the treatment and prevention of liver diseases, the benefits of milk thistle meal are very great, but there will be no harm to the body at all - you can safely use it daily and for a long time. The only limitation is that the meal cannot be taken in any form by pregnant women and children under 12 years of age. If a person has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, he will need to consult a doctor.

In addition to the fact that meal actively helps solve problems with liver functionality, it will also be useful to take it for joint pain, migraines, heart disease, hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, and spleen diseases. It is recommended to take 1 tablespoon of milk thistle meal with food - this will be enough to normalize the functioning of organs and systems.

Often, flour from the seeds of the plant in question is used in cooking - it is added to salads, cereals, and baked goods, but keep in mind that the product should not contain more than 20% milk thistle flour. Some people use flour altogether to make the drink! And all this consumption will be beneficial for the body, only if you already have chronic pathologies, it is better to consult with specialists.

How and to whom to use milk thistle

In order for the plant in question to truly provide health benefits, you need to understand and know in what cases and in what form milk thistle should be used. There are the following recommendations from experts:

1. If you are overweight, then drinking a decoction of milk thistle seeds and adding flour from this plant to your food will help normalize lipid metabolism, remove harmful/toxic substances from the body, cleanse the intestinal tract and normalize its functioning. This will all lead to the natural loss of extra pounds.
2. If you have diabetes, it is very important to consume fiber - it prevents spikes in blood sugar. Milk thistle seed meal contains a huge amount of fiber, so diabetics should definitely consume it. By the way, the meal contains both minerals and vitamins that are involved in the production of insulin.
3. A decoction of milk thistle seeds and flour from them helps restore the body after stress and stimulates the production of breast milk. It is not surprising that both the decoction and the oil from the seeds of the plant in question are recommended for use by women in the postpartum period for a speedy recovery and during breastfeeding.
4. Douching with a decoction of milk thistle will help to quickly cure vaginitis and alleviate a woman’s condition with cervical erosion and colpitis. In case of the listed diseases, tampons soaked in oil from the seeds of the plant in question can also be inserted into the vagina.

In general, it is believed that milk thistle should be consumed by absolutely all people:

• will alleviate the condition of alcohol poisoning;
• will help bring a person out of binge drinking;
• is part of complex therapy for drug addiction;
• contributes to an easier passage of the rehabilitation period;
• quickly restores the body after chemotherapy and radiation;
• improves immunity and serves as a preventive measure for various diseases (this is especially important for residents of large cities).

Milk thistle recipes

To properly use the plant in question as a medicine, you need to know the recipes for preparing medicinal products.

For weight loss

You can dissolve 1 tablespoon of meal in 100 ml of warm water and take 2-3 times a day. Milk thistle seed flour can be added to porridge or baked goods, but you will definitely need to adhere to proper nutrition and engage in physical activity at least in minimal “doses”.

Another useful tip for using milk thistle for weight loss is to put 1-2 tablespoons of milk thistle on a glass of kefir and drink this mixture at night. Thus, the feeling of hunger will be satisfied, and no fats/carbohydrates will enter the body.

Chronic constipation and intoxication

Dissolve 1 tablespoon of meal in 100 grams of natural yogurt or kefir and drink on an empty stomach in the morning. You need to use this remedy every day for a month. If you add 2 liters of clean boiled water per day to this recommendation, then toxins will be actively removed from the body and the intestinal tract will be cleansed.

Varicose veins and high blood sugar (but not yet diabetes)

You need to take 2 tablespoons of milk thistle seeds, grind them into flour (with a blender or coffee grinder) and consume 1 dessert spoon 4 times a day 20 minutes before meals. The course of use is 30 days, then a break is taken for 2 weeks and everything is repeated with another monthly course.

To improve liver function and alcohol addiction

You need to take 1 tablespoon of the seeds of the plant in question and pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain and drink in small sips of 50 ml 20 minutes before meals. You need to drink the entire amount of the product received per day, and the first portion should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning, and the last portion should be taken immediately before bed.

Joint diseases, trophic ulcers, purulent wounds

You need to prepare a tincture of 4 tablespoons of milk thistle seeds and 500 ml of alcohol, leave for 2 weeks. Then the product is taken 25 drops diluted in 100 ml of water before meals. The course of treatment is unlimited until the condition improves.

Liver diseases

Every day you need to consume 1 teaspoon of flour from the seeds of the plant in question 4-5 times. The course of treatment is 40 days, then a break is taken for 15 days and everything is repeated again. In general, you can be treated in this way for six months - as a rule, this period is enough to normalize and stabilize liver function.

Poisoning

Every 3 hours you need to consume 1 teaspoon of meal until the symptoms of poisoning disappear.

Note:Whatever recipe you choose, if you have chronic diseases in your body, you should definitely consult your doctor about the advisability of using milk thistle as a medicine.

Milk thistle - harm and contraindications

The following patients should use/use milk thistle-based products with extreme caution:

• with diagnosed cholelithiasis - treatment should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor;
• with abnormal heart rhythm;
• with bronchial asthma – milk thistle can provoke an attack of suffocation;
• with increased levels of calcium in the body.

Individual intolerance to the plant in question is often revealed - in this case, any use of it will be prohibited.

Note:If milk thistle has not been used before, then during the first few uses a person may notice pain in the area of ​​the anatomical location of the liver - this is considered normal. If, after 2-3 days of treatment with the plant in question, pain and discomfort have not disappeared, then you need to interrupt the course and seek advice from a specialist.

The seeds of the milk thistle plant are rich in flavonoids, micro- and macroelements, and fiber, which allows them to be used as a healing, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating agent. Milk thistle can strengthen cells and restore liver function.

Milk thistle will help strengthen the liver, immunity and gastrointestinal tract

Description

Milk thistle is a medicinal plant that looks like a thorn from a number of weeds. The medicinal herb is also popularly called milk thistle. It grows in Ukraine, European Russia, western Siberia and the Caucasus.

The plant reaches 2 meters in height. The bottom of the stem is densely surrounded by fleshy, oval-shaped leaves of a bright green color with white spots in the middle. The top of the thistle is decorated with small baskets from which purple flowers can be seen. The inflorescences, leaves and stem of thistle are protected by large, sharp spines.

The most valuable part of the plant is the grains, which are dark brown in color when fully ripe. Fruit picking begins in mid-August. After which the leaves and roots of the useful herb are harvested.

What milk thistle looks like is shown in the photo.

Milk thistle flower is used in various fields of medicine

The most valuable part of the flower is the grains

Milk thistle flower is rich in fiber

Chemical composition of the plant

Milk thistle contains most of its nutrients in its seeds. Almost 30% is medicinal vegetable oil, the rest includes:

• proteins;
• lignans, flavonoids, alkaloids;
• disaccharides, monosaccharides;
• resins, enzymes, saponins;
• micro- and macroelements – magnesium, calcium, boron, iron, manganese, vanadium, zinc, potassium, chromium, copper;
• vitamins E, K, D, group B;
• flavolignans – silymarin and silybin.

The unique composition of milk thistle fruits allows the product to be used as an effective hepatoprotector - it protects the membranes of liver cells from alcohol intoxication, the influence of free radicals, toxic substances and poisons.

Useful properties of milk thistle

Milk thistle seeds are very beneficial for the human body.

Healing properties of the plant:

• improvement of digestion and metabolic processes;
• cleansing blood vessels from sclerotic plaques and preventing their occurrence in the future;
• improving blood circulation and eliminating congestion in blood vessels;
• strengthening the immune system;
• reduction of inflammation in tonsillitis, sore throat, periodontal disease, stomatitis;
• acts as a mild diuretic, normalizes the functioning of the kidneys and bladder.

Thanks to special compounds – flavolignans – the medicinal properties of the plant’s fruits are supplemented with hepatoprotective, antioxidant and choleretic effects. Liver cells are strengthened, the growth of new hepatocytes is stimulated, the supply of tissues with useful components is improved, and fatty degeneration of the organ is prevented.

Benefits for women

The healing properties of milk thistle for women are:

• increase in lactation during feeding;
• improvement of well-being during menopause - hot flashes, headaches, nervousness and irritability decrease;
• stimulating the normal blood circulation process and strengthening the venous walls for varicose veins;
• reducing inflammation and fighting infections and bacteria in diseases of the genitourinary system - cystitis, colpitis, vaginitis, cervical erosion;
• increased blood pressure due to hypotension;
• getting rid of bad cholesterol;
• restoration of skin cell regeneration processes in eczema, vitiligo.

Milk thistle is useful for rapid skin regeneration after eczema

Regular intake of decoctions or infusions of milk thistle seeds has a positive effect on sleep, normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, and relieves fatigue and drowsiness.

Healing properties for children

Milk thistle is recommended to be given to children for coughs caused by bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia or as a result of frequent colds. The fruits of the plant fight inflammation and strengthen the immune system, creating a barrier against viruses and bacteria.

The seed of a medicinal herb has a positive effect on the digestive tract of a small organism, helps get rid of constipation, removes toxins and waste, and improves appetite.

For men

By replenishing the male body with missing substances, milk thistle products increase potency, help eliminate the manifestations of gout, and stop premature baldness.

Milk thistle is widely used for liver problems and for the prevention of diseases associated with it.

The beneficial effect of milk thistle on the human body is achieved by cleansing the liver, gall, kidneys, blood vessels from toxins and waste, as well as maintaining their normal functioning.

How to prepare a remedy from milk thistle?

In folk medicine, meal, which is produced in powder form, and seed flour are most often used. Flour and meal are different concepts. The first product is easy to prepare at home using a blender or coffee grinder, and the second is extracted in production conditions from the cake after pressing the seeds to obtain oil - it can actually be purchased in specialized stores and pharmacies.

Milk thistle is used to make decoctions, tinctures, infusions and teas. Only raw materials from seeds are used, in rare cases roots and leaves.

Milk thistle infusion recipe

Brew 1 tsp in 1 glass of boiling water. flour from seeds or meal, cover and leave for 15 minutes. Before drinking, be sure to strain the drink and add the required amount of boiled water to replenish the required volume.

Decoction of crushed fruits

The most commonly used decoction of milk thistle seeds is

Seed flour in the amount of 3 tbsp. l. mix with 0.5 liters of boiling water and cook in a water bath until half of the broth has boiled away. Separate the cooled medicine from the thick sediment using gauze.

Decoction of meal

Brew 1 tbsp in 200 ml of boiling water. l. powder, place everything in a water bath and simmer for 20 minutes. 10 minutes after removing from the heat, filter the broth and combine with boiled water in the amount missing to the initial 0.2 liters.

Meal tea

To prevent gallbladder diseases, drink regular milk thistle tea

Pour 1 tsp into a mug with boiling water. powdered mass and leave for 20 minutes, strain.

Vodka tincture recipe

Pour vodka over meal or seed flour - 50 g of raw material per 500 ml of alcoholic liquid. Infuse the product in a dark place for at least 14 days. Store the strained tincture in the refrigerator.

Milk decoction of meal for children

Brew 1 tsp in a glass of hot milk. powder and leave in a closed container for 30 minutes, then strain.

Milk thistle seed oil

Boil a homogeneous mass of 6 tbsp over low heat for 20 minutes. l. crushed seeds and 500 ml olive oil. Strain the product half an hour after removing from heat. Store the product at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees.

For the preparation of medicines from milk thistle, ripe seeds are suitable, which are previously ground into flour using a blender or coffee grinder, as well as ready-made additives purchased at the pharmacy. In pharmacies, milk thistle-based preparations are sold in the form:

• powder (meal);
• seed flour;
• dragees, tablets, capsules;
• oil extract from the fruit.

Milk thistle can be used to make oil

Before using milk thistle medicine, be sure to read the instructions for use and follow the daily doses, as well as methods of use. This will help avoid side effects and get the maximum effect from the folk medicine.

How to use milk thistle?

In order for folk recipes to help cope with a particular disease, you need to know why and how to properly take crushed milk thistle fruits.

Table “Indications for the use of milk thistle and doses”

Indications	Recipe
To normalize the functioning of the stomach, remove toxins in case of alcohol poisoning, to cleanse the blood of harmful substances	Drink 125 ml of milk thistle infusion half an hour before meals three times a day. Therapy lasts 2-4 weeks
To cleanse the kidneys, improve the functioning of the gallbladder, eliminate inflammation in the genitourinary system and bile ducts, for gout, radiculitis, arthritis, eczema and vitiligo, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, colitis	Use 1 tbsp decoction of meal. l. half an hour before each meal. Course of treatment – ​​3 weeks
To improve liver function, restore hepatocytes, strengthen the protective shell of the organ, to cleanse the gallbladder, to increase the body's defenses and suppress pathogenic cells in oncology	Drink a decoction of crushed fruits of the plant, 1 tbsp. l. every 60 minutes. The course of taking the medicine depends on the improvement of the patient’s well-being, but should not exceed 40 days
For diabetes, cirrhosis, hepatitis, exacerbation of psoriasis, for weight loss, cleansing toxic and harmful substances, for eczema and allergies	Use 1 tsp. oil or plant extract 3 times a day. It is better to take it 20-30 minutes before meals. Treatment lasts at least 3 weeks.
To cleanse the kidneys, urinary and gallbladder, liver, strengthen the body as a whole	Drink vodka tincture 20-25 drops before each meal. The duration of treatment is 20-40 days.
To normalize sleep, improve mood, strengthen immunity	Drink 1 glass of warm milk thistle tea every day for a month. Number of doses per day: 3, half an hour before meals. To improve the taste, add 1 tsp to the drink. jam or honey
To restore liver function in children and normalize metabolic processes, for constipation, coughs, colds	Give your child ¼ cup of milk thistle decoction 3 times a day. Treatment continues until the condition improves

Milk thistle infusion is prepared from fresh and dry herbs

When using milk thistle in treatment, it is important to observe the dose, frequency and duration of use of the drug. Violation of the instructions for use can lead to adverse reactions and harm to health.

Side effects of the medicinal plant

Uncontrolled intake of milk thistle seeds is very dangerous for the body - it leads to disruptions in the functioning of internal organs, which manifests itself in:

• intestinal disorder;
• cramps or aching pain in the stomach;
• skin rash;
• asthmatic manifestations - shortness of breath, cough.

Intestinal upset is one of the side effects; if you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to consult a doctor

If side effects appear after consuming milk thistle, it is better to stop treatment with the folk remedy.

Overdose

Long-term use of milk thistle or exceeding the permissible dose often provokes an overdose, which manifests itself in:

• aching pain in the right hypochondrium and stomach;
• nausea, bloating, diarrhea.

Be prepared for diarrhea if you overdose

If such signs occur, you need to stop taking milk thistle, use enterosorbents, and rinse your intestines. In the future, you should not use the fruits of the plant for medicinal purposes without prior approval from a specialist.

Alcohol compatibility

Drinking alcohol while treating milk thistle is acceptable. The plant reduces the load on the liver and reduces the harmful effects of alcoholic beverages.

Milk thistle will reduce the harm from the effects of alcohol on the body

The compatibility of a medicinal herb with alcohol does not mean that you can drink alcohol in uncontrolled doses. To achieve the greatest therapeutic effect, completely eliminate alcohol from your diet during milk thistle treatment.

Contraindications

Crushed fruits and preparations based on milk thistle should not be taken by people suffering from:

• the presence of stones in the gall bladder - with urolithiasis there is a risk of causing blockage of the bile ducts;
• allergy to the components of the product;
• epilepsy;
• severe depression;
• ulcerative processes in the digestive system.

The presence of gallstones is a contraindication