Milk thistle: useful properties and contraindications, instructions for use

In the medical literature, milk thistle is called milk thistle, in the people - a prickly healer. This is because it is all covered with thorns. The plant began to be used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes in 1968. But the benefits and harms of milk thistle still remain a mystery to many.

What does milk thistle look like and where does it grow?

Milk thistle is a herb that lives for 1 or 2 years. Its height ranges from 60 to 150 cm, some representatives reach human height. The large, wrinkled leaves of the thistle stick to the thick trunk.

Violet milk thistle flowers collected in spherical baskets. At the top of the fruit of the plant, you can see a small tuft. The base of the fruit is rounded, and the top is beveled in the form of a cone. The surface of the plant is uniform, smooth, brown or black. Sometimes the fruit becomes covered with spots with a lilac tint.

The plant blooms in summer. Milk thistle has grown widely throughout the world:

• in the countries of Central Asia;
• North and South America;
• Britain;
• in the south and center of Africa;
• Western and Eastern Europe.

Therefore, almost the whole world will appreciate the benefits of a medicinal plant. On the territory of Russia, it can be found in the Caucasus, the south of Western Siberia and the European part of the country.

Milk thistle chemical composition

The fruits of the plant contain large quantities of flavonoids and flavolignans. They also contain alkaloids, organic acids, vitamin K. Oil makes up 16 to 28% of all substances. Milk thistle fruits are rich in protein. The plant owes almost all its useful properties to flavolignans.

Why is milk thistle useful?

The benefits of milk thistle seeds for the body are undeniable. Moreover, they bring a minimum of harm. Milk thistle is widely used in folk medicine, cosmetic practice, in order to lose weight. The article will consider only the most pronounced beneficial effects of the plant:

• strengthening and increasing the tone of the vascular wall;
• improving the state of the immune system;
• antioxidant effect - reducing the activity of free radicals harmful to the body;
• prolongation of youth;
• improving liver function;
• acceleration of the formation and excretion of bile;
• reduction of irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract;
• diuretic and laxative effect;
• lowering blood sugar levels;
• promotes the rapid healing of small wounds;
• decrease in the severity of the inflammatory process.

For women

For the beautiful half, milk thistle will bring a lot of benefits and minimum harm. The plant is used to treat uncomplicated gynecological diseases. Milk thistle will help women who suffer from decreased sex drive.

Girls who want to lose weight will appreciate the plant's seeds. Masks, scrubs, oils based on milk thistle will improve the condition of the skin and add shine to the hair.

For men

A strong half of humanity has a greater propensity to drink alcohol than women. Therefore, they will appreciate the beneficial hepatoprotective properties of milk thistle. The plant protects hepatocytes (liver cells) from the harmful effects of ethyl alcohol.

Men working in hazardous industries are advised to regularly take milk thistle-based medicines. It will protect the liver from exposure to chemicals.

The plant speeds up the metabolism of cells throughout the body. This useful property provided the use of milk thistle in the complex therapy of impotence. The plant is also effective for the treatment of hemorrhoids, constipation.

For children

Medicinal mixtures based on milk thistle, like any other medicinal drug, are given to children only with the permission of the pediatrician and under his supervision. The recommended age for starting the medication is 12 years. The body of young children is not fully formed, and therefore the plant can act unpredictably.

An older child is given decoctions or infusions of milk thistle in order to increase immunity, to prevent the development of acute viral respiratory infections (ARVI). In addition to preventing ARVI, the plant is effective for constipation, liver problems, and skin inflammation.

Is it possible to milk thistle for pregnant and lactating

Although there is data on the benefits of milk thistle for toxicosis of pregnant women, doctors do not recommend taking a medicine based on milk thistle for expectant mothers. The plant has one useful property - the acceleration of metabolic processes in the body. But for the fetus, a fast metabolism can do a lot of harm. The risk of malformations of internal organs is high.

Nursing mothers should also forget about milk thistle. The plant will enter a newborn with breast milk, which can be harmful to his health.

What milk thistle cures

Due to the rich composition of the plant and the great benefits of the milk thistle herb, it has established itself for the treatment of such pathological conditions:

1. Dysfunction of the gallbladder: dyskinesia (delayed bile or too rapid excretion), cholecystitis.
2. Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cirrhosis (proliferation of connective tissue in the organ).
3. Alcohol intoxication, poisoning with chemicals or medicines.
4. Dermatoses (skin diseases): psoriasis, acne, baldness.
5. Diabetes mellitus with mild course.
6. Joint diseases: arthritis, rheumatism, arthrosis.
7. Atherosclerosis, hypertension.
8. Hemorrhoids.
9. Radiculitis.
10. Obesity.

Milk thistle is recommended for people who have had myocardial infarction or stroke. The plant is an effective method for preventing the recurrence of these dangerous conditions.

Features of the use of milk thistle

Milk thistle should be used wisely to achieve the effect, get the most benefit and the least harm. The plant is drunk in long courses, lasting several weeks, months.

Slimming

There are several effective milk thistle recipes for weight loss. The first involves the use of plant seeds, which are ground in a blender. They are taken in 1 tsp. 4 times a day before meals with plenty of water.

The second recipe is more complicated, you will also need milk thistle seeds to prepare the mixture:

1. The seeds are ground in a blender.
2. 30 g of powder is poured into 0.5 l of water.
3. Boil over low heat until half of the water evaporates.
4. Allow the mixture to cool.
5. After cooling, add 0.25 water.
6. Is taken orally 1 tbsp. l. 3 times daily before meals.

With diabetes mellitus

Milk thistle will not be able to completely cure the disease, but it will significantly reduce the unpleasant symptoms in the early stages. The most effective is a milk thistle-based decoction. To prepare it, you need to take 3 tbsp. l. crushed seeds and 500 ml of hot water. The recipe is presented below, in the section on milk thistle decoction.

With pancreatitis

Milk thistle improves the secretion of enzymes by the glands of external secretion, which is why it is used in the treatment of pancreatitis. Decoctions, infusions, teas and other dosage forms with this plant are used only during the period of remission of the disease. That is, when the symptoms of pancreatitis (abdominal pain, diarrhea) do not make themselves felt. During the period of exacerbation, the most gentle diet is recommended.

With gastritis and stomach ulcers

For the treatment of gastritis, stomach and intestinal ulcers, they drink milk thistle tea. It should be taken hot, slowly, in small sips. Milk thistle is drunk in 250 ml in the morning and in the evening. It is more advisable to drink tea based on the plant after meals, so as not to irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.

How can milk thistle be used?

The medicinal properties of milk thistle are multifaceted. Several dosage forms of the plant have been invented, each of which has useful properties for a certain pathology. Milk thistle can be taken as:

• powder;
• juice;
• tea;
• broth;
• tinctures;
• syrup;
• tablets or capsules.

Milk thistle powder

The benefits of milk thistle seed flour for the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract are great. To get rid of a cough, it is recommended to brew a powder. Take 0.5 tsp. raw materials and 500 ml of water. The mixture is infused for 5 minutes. The medicine is taken 4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.

To cleanse the intestines, powder from the root of the plant is taken in dry form, 1 tsp. 3 times a day. It should be washed down with kefir, which increases the effectiveness of milk thistle.

Milk thistle juice

Juice is squeezed from fresh milk thistle leaves. Take 3-4 large sheets. The resulting juice is fixed with 70% ethyl alcohol. For 1 liter of juice, you need to take 50 ml of alcohol. Store healthy juice in the refrigerator.

They drink milk thistle squeeze 3-4 times a day. The plant is suitable for patients with diabetes mellitus, gastritis, pancreatitis in remission.

Milk thistle tea

Milk thistle tea will be beneficial for inflammation of the stomach and intestines, colds, varicose veins. It will not be difficult to prepare it: 1 tsp. seeds are poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water and insisted for 15 minutes. Take 1 tbsp. hot drink milk thistle morning and evening.

Milk thistle decoction

A decoction of the plant will reduce pain in sciatica, arthritis, and eliminate diarrhea. Gargling will help with toothache. To prepare the broth, you need to take the root of the plant or buy a ready-made powder at the pharmacy:

1. A mixture of powder and water is heated in a water bath.
2. Boil for 20 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. The mixture is filtered through several layers of gauze.
4. Allow to cool.
5. The broth is drunk at 10 g 3 times a day after meals.

Milk thistle tincture

To prepare the tincture, take 50 g of powder and pour 0.5 liters of vodka or moonshine. Insist 14 days in a dry warm place. Take the medicine 20 minutes before meals 3 times a day, 20 drops with a glass of plain water.

In addition to all the beneficial properties of milk thistle, the tincture has an antiseptic effect due to alcohol.

Milk thistle syrup

The medicinal properties of milk thistle syrup for the liver are undeniable. It is used in the complex treatment of inflammatory diseases of this organ. Ready-made syrup is bought at the pharmacy.

Take 1 tbsp. l. 1-2 times a day with meals. The course of treatment is 4-6 weeks. Can be re-taken 3 times a year.

Milk thistle capsules and tablets

Milk thistle capsules are oil wrapped in a shell. They improve the functioning of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, reduce excess weight.The advantage of milk thistle capsules is their high dosage accuracy.

The tablets contain all the beneficial substances of milk thistle. They have a similar effect to capsules.

How to use milk thistle medicinally

Dosage forms based on milk thistle are effective when taken orally and locally to lubricate the affected skin. They bring the greatest amount of benefit in the diseases presented below.

Compress for wound healing

Compresses contribute to the rapid healing of the skin after minor burns and wounds. To prepare them:

1. You need to take a tincture or decoction of milk thistle.
2. Gauze folded in several layers is abundantly moistened in a decoction of the plant.
3. Apply to the affected area and apply a sterile bandage on top.
4. Secure with a plaster.

Milk thistle for poisoning

Milk thistle is beneficial for cleansing the intestines, which is why it is recommended for the treatment of poisoning. 1 tbsp. l. the powder of the plant is washed down with a glass of kefir. The procedure is repeated 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.

Decoction for radiculitis and arthritis

Milk thistle decoction will reduce the severity of the inflammatory process and reduce pain in sciatica and arthritis. Moreover, it can be taken both internally and applied as a compress on the back or the affected joint. 10 g of decoction of the plant is taken 3 times a day after meals.

Remedy for varicose veins

For varicose veins, tea or milk thistle infusion will help. I drink 2-3 tbsp. per day for the purpose of prevention and 5 tbsp. a day for the treatment of varicose veins. The medicine will strengthen the walls of blood vessels and increase their tone.

Infusion to improve liver function

The benefits of milk thistle for the liver lie in its antioxidant, regenerating properties. The plant is able to protect the organ from the toxic effects of alcohol, chemicals, medicines. You can take milk thistle in any of the forms listed above by mouth.

Tincture for joint diseases, ulcers and purulent wounds

Thistle root juice and tincture are effective for severe joint pain. They contribute to the healing of wounds and the attenuation of purulent inflammation. Take the medicine 3 times a day before meals. If a person suffers from a stomach ulcer, you should drink the tincture after a meal.

The use of milk thistle in cosmetology

Milk thistle is widely used to create oils, scrubs, masks. All thanks to the benefits of the plant for cell regeneration, accelerating metabolism.

For facial skin

Milk thistle gives the skin a smooth, firm and healthy glow. These beneficial properties will delight all women over 40, because the plant is able to smooth wrinkles and prolong youth. Masks based on it are suitable for girls and guys suffering from acne. The plant brightens the skin, therefore it is recommended for people with age spots.

It is believed that if you apply milk thistle oil to your skin before going out in the sun, it will prevent sunburn. The plant does more than just prevent damage to the skin. Silymarin, which is present in the composition, suppresses carcinogenesis, that is, the degeneration of healthy cells into malignant ones. Therefore, regular intake of the plant or lubrication of problem areas will prevent the development of cancerous growth.

For hair

Due to the mass of useful properties of milk thistle seeds, oil is actively extracted from them. Masks based on it moisturize the scalp, but do not make it oily. They are recommended for girls with damaged hair after a perm. Here's a recipe for an effective milk thistle mask:

1. Take 1 tbsp. l. gelatin and stir with warm water. It turns out a thick mass.
2. Add the yolk of 1 chicken egg to the mixture, mix.
3. 1 tbsp. l. milk thistle oil and 0.5 tbsp. l. balm for hair is added to the mixture.
4. The resulting mask is applied to the hair roots, trying not to get to the ends.
5. Hold for 1 hour, then wash off with shampoo under warm water.

Milk thistle harm and contraindications

Much has been said about the beneficial properties of the plant for adults and children. Indeed, the benefits and possible harm of milk thistle for the human body are incommensurable. But there are conditions in which it is not recommended to use it. These include:

• depressive and anxiety disorders;
• epilepsy;
• severe cardiovascular disease;
• cholelithiasis;
• hypersensitivity to the substances that make up milk thistle;
• appendicitis;
• increased concentration of potassium and phosphorus in the blood.

Collection, preparation and storage of milk thistle

The seeds of the plant are harvested in August-September. When a yellowish fluff appears on the top of the seed, it means that it is mature. The roots are harvested after collecting seeds, that is, in the fall. Then the leaves of the milk thistle are collected.

The parts of the plant are kept dried. They are laid out in one layer under the sun's rays. The surface must be flat. Milk thistle roots are pre-crushed.

Store milk thistle in a hermetically sealed package, out of sunlight, in a dry and warm place. It is best to use a glass container, cardboard box, or cloth bag.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of milk thistle are incomparable. It has a lot of healing effects. Its harmful properties are manifested only in the presence of contraindications. Plant overdose also adversely affects the body. To get the maximum benefit and minimum harm, you should consult your doctor.

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