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Milk thistle - effect and application
The milk thistle, known in the jargon as Silybum marianum, is one of the daisy family. Originally it was at home in southern Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa, but is also to be found in Central Europe in the Middle Ages. The plant is 30 to 150 centimeters tall. The flowers are purple. Its flowering period is June to September. As the name suggests, the milk thistle has prickly parts. The leaves are greenish, strongly toothed and have white spots.
contents
- Plant parts used for ingestion
- The name
- Known since ancient times
- indication
- side effects
- application
- Preparation of the tea
- The psyche
- Various tea blends with milk thistle
- For detoxification of liver and kidney
- Care for the liver
- To support weight loss
- An important plant
Plant parts used for ingestion
The milk thistle fruits are the plant components that are used for internal intake. The smooth, elongated fruits contain the important silymarin, a mixture of active ingredients that has a detoxifying, antispasmodic and hepatoprotective effect. The active ingredients help the liver to cope with toxic substances, such as alcohol, drugs or environmental toxins. In addition, some of the excretion of bile juice is stimulated. The fruit peel contains flavonoids, fatty oil, vitamin E, bitter and mucilage and much more. These substances have a soothing, anti-inflammatory and circulation-promoting.
The milk thistle is a medicinal plant with a special effect on the liver. (Image: hanseat / fotolia.com) The name
The name comes from the following legend: The milk of the Virgin Mary dripped onto the plant, giving the leaves their typical white marbling. This was also the reason that she liked to use breastfeeding women back then. The Latin term "silybum" is meant to mean tassel, derived from the Latin silybon. "Marianum" again refers to the Virgin Mary as in German.
Known since ancient times
Already in ancient times it was valued as a medicinal plant. Already Pedanios Dioscorides, a Greek doctor who lived in the 1st century, used the milk thistle: In problems with the tendons, as a chiral agent, against snakebites and to induce vomiting (emetic). In the Middle Ages, the plant then came to Central Europe. Paracelsus applied them to the mentioned areas of application, but also to internal stabbing pains (Marien "thistle"). Later, in the 18th century, the doctor J.C. Rademacher intensively with the milk thistle. He emphasized her affinity for the liver.
indication
The indication is the liver. In liver diseases caused by liver-damaging substances, such as alcohol, drugs, viruses and environmental toxins, it is the drug of choice. Ingress of hepatotoxic substances is prevented by the regular ingestion of the plant. Even with cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol or other liver toxins, the medicinal plant can slightly prolong life expectancy. Similarly, in existing fatty liver to the milk thistle to think. The earlier the plant is taken, the more helpful it is. Also in the case of chronic hepatitis C, transaminase levels are improved by ingestion.
A rather rare indication is the poisoning with a tuber-mushroom - also here is to think of the milk thistle. The plant's active ingredients are administered intravenously, displace the toxins contained in the fungus and thus protect the liver from cell death. However, if a toadstool is consumed, immediate emergency treatment is always indicated!
Complaints, such as flatulence and feeling of fullness respond quite well to the intake of milk thistle fruits. At the same time, the plant has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa.
In natural medicine, the phrase "fatigue is the pain of the liver". Therefore, it is essential to think about the use of this liver plant. The patients get fitter, the general condition and the physical performance improve.
side effects
The milk thistle is usually very well tolerated - only occasionally appear bloating, abdominal pain and a slightly laxative (laxative) effect. Those who are allergic to daisy family should not use this plant. In pregnancy and lactation the use is contraindicated.
In order to achieve a stronger effect, preparations in the form of capsules, tablets or drops are available. (Image: H. Brauer / fotolia.com) application
The medicinal plant is of course applicable as a tea. However, the effect is quite low. Unfortunately, the important ingredients of Silymarin can hardly be dissolved in water. However, the tea is able to relieve lighter symptoms such as flatulence and bloating. To really do something for the liver, capsules, tablets or even drops should be used, which contain the plant's active ingredients in a much higher concentration. Self-medication is not recommended. A doctor or alternative practitioner will advise you and recommend you the appropriate preparation and the right daily dose.
Preparation of the tea
Two teaspoons of the shredded, dried milk thistle fruits are doused with a quarter liter of boiling water, the whole after about 10 minutes strained and of which three cups a day, preferably lukewarm, drunk. The tea is not exactly tasty. However, when lightly added fennel seeds are added, the taste is slightly milder and the tea becomes easier to drink.
The psyche
The liver is a very important detoxification and metabolic organ and therefore has a lot to do day and night. If it is overloaded, we feel it in the form of fatigue ("fatigue is the pain of the liver"). If we ignore this advice and if we expose our liver to more and more harmful substances, further symptoms such as lack of concentration, vision problems arise. Itching of the skin, nocturnal sweating, sleep disturbances, depressive moods and sudden onset fatigue.
The liver produces the bile, it is involved in the digestion of fat, it is a regulator of blood sugar, it stores fats, forms cholesterol, produces proteins, breaks down hormones - and much more. This organ performs at its best and day and night - so we should be more careful with it. But that's not enough - she is also an organ that is extremely regenerative. It is only important to deal responsibly with this vital organ. To strengthen them, a cure with a milk thistle preparation is recommended. And if the liver already suffers - then all the more.
The liver has a connection to the psyche. Who does not know the expression "I've had something wrong with my liver"? Every naturopath knows about the connection between liver and depression, which means that in a naturopathic practice, patients with depressive moods should always get a liver plant - preferably over a longer period of time. Here the medicinal plant is the appropriate choice of choice.
Chronic fatigue, fatigue and depressive moods may conceal liver discomfort. Here, the milk thistle has a very promising effect. (Image: Adam Gregor / fotolia.com) Various tea blends with milk thistle
Tea blends for detoxification and as support for the liver or bile often contain milk thistle. Since this is the sole tea ingredient is not so great effect, a mixed recipe is often the better choice. All teas or tea blends must not be drunk for longer than 6 weeks without interruption.
For detoxification of liver and kidney
For this tea goldenrod, milk thistle, nettle and dandelion are mixed in equal parts. A heaping teaspoon of the tea mixture is brewed with a quarter of a liter of water and then has to draw for about seven to eight minutes. A cup three times a day, over a period of four weeks - this is a great support for a spring cure to get the slags out of the body and counteract the spring fatigue.
Another tea blend for detoxifying the body is:
Stone clover (1 part), milk thistle (2 parts), nettle (2 parts), yarrow (1 part) and dandelion root (2 parts) are mixed. The preparation and the application correspond to the detoxification tea described above.
Care for the liver
To maintain the liver, this tea can be used. It consists of milk thistle (2 parts), weevil (1 part), liverwort (1 part), centaury (2 parts), fennel (1 part) and marigolds (1 part). A tablespoon of the mixture is poured over with half a liter, after seven to eight minutes is strained and distributed the tea throughout the day, swallowed.
To support weight loss
To help with weight loss, this tea can be helpful. Nettle, milk thistle, dandelion, elderberry, oats and goldenrod are mixed in equal proportions. The preparation and application can be seen in the detoxification tees. This mixture is also suitable for the spring cure.
A tea blend of milk thistle, stinging nettle, dandelion, elderberry, oats and goldenrod can help you lose weight. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com) An important plant
It has become an important plant not only in naturopathy, but also in conventional medicine. It protects the liver cells, it helps the liver against invading toxins and it also helps the liver in its regeneration and healing process. In addition, the milk thistle is also ideal for prevention. (Sw)