Cousins of the daisy and ragweed flowers, milk thistle or silymarin, can be used as a natural supplement for all kinds of ailments. It is considered an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and it may help repair cells.
This flowering herb has been proven to aid in the following health conditions.
1. A healthy liver and gallbladder
Most commonly, and particularly in the US, milk thistle is used for liver issues like jaundice, cirrhosis (a condition that causes scar tissue on your liver that is usually caused by infection or alcohol addiction), fatty liver disease, hepatitis C and liver cancer.
A study done by Stanford University found that people living with hepatitis C had fewer symptoms after using milk thistle and enjoyed a better quality of life.
Milk thistle is also known to prevent toxins from attaching themselves to the liver, causing further damage. It is also said to be helpful in restoring damage to the liver by industrial toxins like toluene and xylene.
Note: Milk thistle is not a treatment for hepatitis B or D, nor has it been shown to have any effect against fighting these viruses.
2. Preventing Age-Related Decline in Brain Function
Milk thistle has been a traditional remedy for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases for more than two thousand years.
It’s been proven to prevent oxidative damage to brain cells, which means that using milk thistle could help to prevent natural mental decline at later stages in life.
Medical practitioners warn women who have breast, uterine or ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women to consult their doctors before trying milk thistle, as the herb can imitate estrogen and could cause complications.
3. Diabetes
Milk thistle is known to reduce insulin resistance and support people who are obese and/or suffer from type 2 diabetes.
Diabetics are cautioned to discuss the use of this herb with their doctors first, as there may be contraindications when used in conjunction with diabetic medication.
4. Cholesterol
High levels of cholesterol can lead to heart health issues and even a stroke.
In 2016, a study was done on rats where they were fed a high-cholesterol diet and when fed milk thistle, their total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels dropped significantly.
Milk thistle can counteract the side effects of cholesterol-reducing medications, like that of statins, which could cause the elevation of liver enzymes. Using milk thistle can help prevent that elevation.
5. Good heart health
By lowering cholesterol levels, milk thistle has the power to decrease the risk of developing heart disease down the line.
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Written by Marian Volkwyn for Woman&Home.
Feature Image: Pexels.
