Milk thistle, an herb that contains silymarin as its active ingredient, may appear poisonous at first glance due to its sharp stems and potential height of 5-10 feet. However, this member of the Asteraceae family is actually quite beneficial. Originally discovered in Europe and the Mediterranean, this plant has gradually spread to North America, as well as the eastern region of the United States, California, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
Recent research conducted in 2023 indicates that milk thistle extract, when combined with grape seed extract, has the ability to inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells. This is just one of many advantages offered by this exotic-looking herb.
Studies Show Milk Thistle Offers Many Health Benefits
Although milk thistle research is still in its early stages, scientists unanimously agree on its numerous benefits, ranging from inhibiting cancer growth to managing diabetes and promoting liver health. These effects are attributed to the herb’s active component, silymarin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.While this herb is commonly used to treat liver conditions like cirrhosis and hepatitis, it is believed to have a wide range of potential uses that are yet to be fully explored. Components within milk thistle may also have blood sugar-lowering properties, which could be beneficial for individuals with diabetes. There is emerging evidence that silymarin can improve liver function and reduce symptoms of cirrhosis, which is a condition characterized by scarring of the liver.
Scientific analysis has also shown that consuming milk thistle extract containing silymarin is likely to be associated with decreased mortality rates in individuals with liver disease and cirrhosis.
From Bone Health to Brain Function and Beyond
Milk thistle supplementation offers potential benefits to menopausal and postmenopausal women by helping to preserve bone strength and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, when applied topically to the face, the herb has been found to reduce acne as well.It is worth noting that an increasing number of individuals are turning to this plant to address hepatitis C, a viral liver infection. Although this potential benefit is currently based on anecdotal evidence, it highlights the growing trend of physicians recommending milk thistle to patients.
Pregnant women may also find milk thistle useful, as its silymarin component acts as a galactagogue, stimulating the production of breast milk. Additionally, the herb has the potential to reduce amyloid plaque, which is linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in older adults.
Finally, there is evidence suggesting that the plant may impact the way in which the liver metabolizes anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics.
Be Strategic When Supplementing With This Versatile Herb
To experience the benefits of milk thistle, it can be consumed as a tea, in pill form, or as an extract, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Seek guidance from a qualified health care professional, such as an integrative health care provider or health coach, before adding it to your routine.It’s essential to keep in mind that no supplement can treat, prevent, or cure disease. However, by incorporating milk thistle into a holistic approach to wellness and under the guidance of an experienced health care provider, you can greatly improve the quality of your health and vitality.
Republished from NaturalHealth365
Sources for this article include:
Important Notice: This article was originally published at www.theepochtimes.com by Patrick Tims where all credits are due.
Disclaimer
The watching, interacting, and participation of any kind with anything on this page does not constitute or initiate a doctor-patient relationship with Veripeudic.com. None of the statements here have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products of Veripeudic.com are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information being provided should only be considered for education and entertainment purposes only. If you feel that anything you see or hear may be of value to you on this page or on any other medium of any kind associated with, showing, or quoting anything relating to Veripeudic.com in any way at any time, you are encouraged to and agree to consult with a licensed healthcare professional in your area to discuss it. If you feel that you’re having a healthcare emergency, seek medical attention immediately. The views expressed here are simply either the views and opinions of Veripeudic.com or others appearing and are protected under the first amendment.
Veripeudic.com promotes evidence-based natural approaches to health, which means integrating her individual scientific and clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. By individual clinical expertise, I refer to the proficiency and judgment that individual clinicians acquire through clinical experience and clinical practice.
Veripeudic.com does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of any multimedia content provided. Veripeudic.com does not warrant the performance, effectiveness, or applicability of any sites listed, linked, or referenced to, in, or by any multimedia content.
To be clear, the multimedia content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any website, video, image, or media of any kind. Veripeudic.com hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.
