Medicinal Uses: Milk Thistle is a flowering plant that grows along the European Mediterranean regions, North Africa and the Middle East. It derives its name from the fact its stem is streaked with white veins and its sap yields a viscous milky white fluid.
Yet, it is the seeds of the that have been of interest to herbalists; for over 2000 years, these seeds have been used to cure chronic liver disfunctions and prevent various toxins from harming the liver. Indeed, milk thistle is used to treat liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, jaundice and toxin- induced liver damage.
Other treatment claims include: lowering cholesterol, reduction of cancer cells in breast, cervical and prostate cancer, additive to products claiming to reduce hangover and usage by those taking steroids.
The extract is is used in a beverage called Rockstar Energy Drink, one of the top 3 energy drink brands in North America.
Folklore: It was believed that the milk white veins of the leaves came from the milk of the Virgin which fell upon a thistle plant. Thus is was called Our Lady's Thistle (latin name Silybum marianum, or thistle of our blessed Mary)
Westmacott, writing in 1694, says of this Thistle:
'It is a Friend to the Liver and Blood: the prickles cut off, they were formerly used to be boiled in the Spring and eaten with other herbs; but as the World decays, so doth the Use of good old things and others more delicate and less virtuous brought in.'
And in a record of old Saxon remedies we find that 'this wort if hung upon a man's neck it setteth snakes to flight.' The seeds were also formerly thought to cure hydrophobia.
Warning: Be sure to consult your physician before taking.
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