Nowadays, you must have heard a lot about milk thistle. It is a beautiful, amazing flower belonging to the daisy and ragweed families. Its botanical name is Silybum Marianum, and some people also know it as Mary Thistle and Holly Thistle.
Everyone would know that Milk Thistle is a pretty purple flower, but many people would not know that it is beneficial in getting rid of many diseases. The plant is native to Europe and was brought to North America by early colonists. Milk thistle is now found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. The above-ground parts and seeds are used to make medicines.
This super hero ancient plant was historically used as a medicine to treat many diseases, and researchers have proven this. But now it is popular all over the world as a supplement for liver disorders, skin problems, high blood sugar, and many other healthy issues, which we will discuss further in this blog.
Milk thistle contains high levels of antioxidants and the flavonoid silymarin, which helps prevent or treat a variety of diseases. You can take this goodness through milk thistle tablets, herbal extract, or even by sipping milk thistle tea. So, if you are curious to know more about the benefits of this pinkish-purple flower for your health and how to use it, then stay tuned with us. Who knows, it may relieve you of your old disease.
The Top 7 Health Benefits of Milk Thistle
As you read in the introduction of the blog, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herb that has been used for centuries for its potential health benefits, particularly to aid liver health. Here are seven health benefits of milk thistle proven by research:
Milk thistle for liver detox
The liver constantly processes toxins, which can cause liver damage if not protected by antioxidants. This milk thistle has the ability to protect your liver from damage. It contains an active compound, silymarin, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect liver cells against mutations and damage caused by toxins, alcohol, and certain medications.
Milk thistle helps promote the regeneration of liver cells. It is often used as a complementary therapy for various conditions, including hepatitis and cirrhosis. For individuals wishing to maintain and enhance overall liver health, milk thistle's detoxifying and hepatoprotective properties make it a popular choice.
Maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Researchers have also shown this herbal extract to be beneficial in controlling high blood sugar levels and reducing insulin sensitivity, which is primarily associated with people with type 2 diabetes. The active substance in milk thistle known as silymarin may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance. It is also helpful for prediabetes with glycemic control, and regular use of milk thistle in the form of tablets or tea can prevent blood sugar from rising and help reduce the risks associated with diabetes.
Improve skin health.
Adding milk thistle to your diet or skin care regimen may help treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, which are known to cause itchy, flaky skin. Milk thistle does this by reducing inflammation, promoting healthy skin, and providing antioxidants that shield skin cells. This plant also protects your liver by detoxifying it, which indirectly affects the health of the skin. Although milk thistle is not a cure-all, according to researchers, it can improve the health of your skin.
Treat cancer
Milk thistle tablet benefits also include cancer treatment. It contains silymarin, which could help prevent cancer. It supports the body's natural defence against cancer cells and can even stop tumours from growing. Although research in test tubes has shown silymarin's ability to protect against various cancers like breast, prostate, and skin cancer, there haven't been enough human trials yet. Nevertheless, the antioxidants in milk thistle, like silymarin, hold promise for potential cancer-fighting benefits, even though more research in humans is needed.
Support a healthy weight.
The milk thistle might be beneficial for those who want to lose weight. A study showed that the active substances in milk thistle called silymarin help to maintain a healthy weight by boosting metabolism and also aid in controlling obesity.
Increase breast milk production.
Milk thistle contains silymarin, which is a galactagogue, meaning it stimulates the production and flow of breast milk in breastfeeding mothers. In a two-month research study, mothers who took 420 mg of silymarin per day increased their breast milk production by 86% compared to mothers who took a placebo. The study also found that silymarin supplementation had no effect on the quality of milk supply, indicating that it is an excellent treatment for breastfeeding mothers who are experiencing poor milk production.
Improve asthma symptoms.
The anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle help fight asthma symptoms. Asthma is a very chronic disease. This condition causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, causing symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Triggers may include allergies, pollution, and respiratory infections. For people who suffer from asthma or have asthma symptoms, milk thistle may help reduce asthma symptoms by regulating the immune system.
Support bone health.
Milk thistle tablets have many benefits; they can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women. This is one of the most common problems occurring in women. Women who have this problem have a higher risk of fractures and broken bones. This problem occurs due to a lack of estrogen. Due to the presence of silymarin in milk thistle, it produces phytoestrogen, which acts on estrogen receptors and acts like estrogen whenever the estrogen levels in your bones start decreasing.
Milk thistle side effects
When taken by mouth: milk thistle has not been reported to have any serious side effects and has been found to be safe for most people. When milk thistle is taken as a tablet, extract, or tea, some potential side effects may include diarrhoea, nausea, gas in the intestines, fullness, loss of appetite, and possibly headache.
When applied to the skin: it is safe to use it directly on the skin.
Many people turn to milk thistle supplements to experience the milk thistle benefits, which include improved liver health, better skin, and blood sugar control, as we mentioned above. It helps to prevent and cure various diseases due to its active ingredient, sylmarin, which is an antioxidant.
It is essential to first consult with your health care professional before starting to consume milk thistle or any other supplement. You can purchase milk thistle supplements easily from online stores.
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