Milk thistle
HYSTORY (Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle extracts (Silybum marianum) have been used by folk medicine since 2000 years now. Among Ancient Greeks, it was mixed with honey as an antitussive. Throughout the centuries, it has been used as a remedy for bronchitis, but just in the 15° Century this herb was recognized as an excellent detoxificant. In this same period, many other propertis were discovered. Its seeds extracts showed active properties for indigestion, liver disorders, liver poisoning, gallstones, jaundice, and spleen disorders. All these uses have been documented by contemporary research either.
A POWERFUL ANTI-OXIDANT
The latest researches have shown that an extract from milk thistle, silymarin, has the same anti-ageing properties as gingko biloba, green tea, and grape seed extracts. The main active ingredient of silymarin is silybinin that is considered a valuable help to treatments of liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis C, and liver damages due to alcohol abuse, NSAIDs, or cortisone.
Although silymarin has been traditionally used for liver disorders, the up-to-date research indicates a possible use of silymarin as a preventative and/or for the treatment of some types of cancers (breast and prostate), cardiovascular diseases, kidney disorders, pancreas disorders, and disorders linked to ageing. In Germany, where it's in use to test effectiveness of herbal products, milk thistle extracts have been approved for the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases. Thaks to their anti-oxidant and anti-cancerous properties, silymarin and silybinin can be used to help protecting against toxic agent damages, and/or ischemias of several organs besides the liver (such as kidneys and pancreas)
One of the latest and most important discoveries is about milk thistle property of both helping new cells growth into damaged tissues and stopping cells division into cancerous tissues by promoting an increased activity of certain enzymes and inhibiting other enzymes activity at the same time.
INFLAMMATIONS
Flavonoid content of milk thistle may inhibit nitric oxide production. An excessive amount of nitric oxide can promote chronic inflammations and free radicals production. Flavonoids with their anti-oxydant properties may inhibit COX-2 enzyme that turns arachidonic acid into prostaglandin E2 responsible for inflammations.
DETOXIFICATION
Detoxifcation is a main function of our body methabolism. The liver plays an important role in this process. External and/or internal chimic toxic agents from food, air, skincare and personal care products, and water stike steadily the liver. Silybinin is the main active ingredient of milk thistle that can help protect the liver from this chimic attack.
SUMMING UP
We live in an enviroment overloaded by toxic substances. The liver is the main player in detoxification processes, but by being steadily affected by chimic agents it may give up the ghost. Silybinin content of milk thistle may help protecting our organs and even regenerating the damaged liver. Moreover, according to the latest researches on silybinin uses, it may be also helpful in cases of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disorders, pancreas disorders, and many other conditions linked to ageing.
| MILK THISTLE |
| Main Actions | detoxificant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxydant |
| Main Uses |
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| Properties/Actions Documented by Research | detoxificant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxydant |
| Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use | antitussive, anti-oxydant, detoxificant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, for bronchitis, liver diseases, indigestion, gallstones, jaundice, spleen disorders |
Article from Naturmedica
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