Milk thistle meal: benefits and harms. How to use

What properties does milk thistle have?

Thanks to its rich chemical composition, which I have already written about, this plant has a number of medicinal properties that allow it to have a comprehensive effect on human health and treat several dozen different diseases (indications and contraindications).

Based on milk thistle, many herbal hepatoprotectors are made, for example, Karsil. Also, in pharmacies you can find cheap teas and teas with milk thistle, for example, “Altai Cedar”. They are used to cleanse the body of toxins and for liver diseases.

I suggest you take a closer look at the healing properties of these amazing seeds.

Traditional medicine recipes

Milk thistle – how to take? There are several treatment options: from exotic meal to traditional tea.

Schrot

Meal is the name given to ground plant seeds, which are dried before grinding to minimize the amount of oil in their composition. Meal is made exclusively from ripened seeds. Ready-made powder can be purchased at a pharmacy, or you can make it yourself.

Thus, the by-product of oil production turns out to be a valuable medicine. Seed coats, crushed to husks, are used in the treatment of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, dermatological diseases, and intoxication conditions. You should not be afraid of hypervitaminosis: meal is taken in small doses (no more than 10 g at a time). The remedy is used for cirrhosis and hepatitis, lipid-fatty degeneration, parasitic or bacterial damage, hepatosis and alcohol intoxication.

Oil

Milk thistle oil strengthens the immune system, treats colds, and restores the body after complex operations and long-term illnesses. You can buy it in liquid form and in capsules. Using an oil press, it is easy to make a medicinal product at home.

To do this, you need to select high-quality seeds, send them to the device and turn on the desired mode. From 800 g of seeds you will get approximately 200 g of oil. It is poured into a glass container and left for a day for the suspension to settle. The oil becomes beautiful, transparent, and has a light herbal smell. If you don’t have such a convenient device, you can buy oil in small 100 ml bottles.

You will learn more detailed information about the properties of milk thistle oil from the video:

Alcohol tincture

Alcohol tincture can be made from whole plant seeds or ground into powder. The second option is considered more successful. Alcohol absorbs beneficial substances from ground seeds better than from whole ones.

Recipe:

Pour 50 g of milk thistle seeds into 0.5 liters of alcohol;
leave the composition in a dark place for 2 weeks;
Strain the finished product, take 20 drops as a tincture no more than 5 times a day, half an hour before meals.

The tincture is often prescribed for pathologies of the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract and liver diseases.

Tea

This product helps with fatty liver, removes toxins from the body (including alcohol poisoning). It is even considered a good prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

The traditional recipe is:

a teaspoon of plant seeds is poured into a cup or teapot;
pour boiling water there and leave the mixture for 20 minutes;
The composition should be strained and the tea should be drunk warm, 100 ml twice a day.

To make the drink even more healthy and tasty, you can include mint and dried fruits. The seeds are crushed, poured into a teapot, mint leaves and dried fruits cut into small pieces are also sent there. Boiling water is poured into the kettle and the aromatic mixture is infused for about 10 minutes. Drink 200 ml before meals, no need to sweeten.

Sprouted seeds

Germinating seeds at home takes from one day to a week. There are no particular difficulties in this process, but it is not always possible to reap a successful “harvest” the first time. That’s why sprouted milk thistle is often bought ready-made.

The sprouts that appear on the 3-4th day are considered healing. If they have grown to 3-5 ml, this microgreen can be used as a medicinal product. Seeds can be contaminated with bacteria, so it is necessary to wash or disinfect them in hydrogen peroxide.

Eat sprouted milk thistle individually, no more than 10 sprouts per day. The calculation is as follows: 1 sprout per 10 kg of weight. In case of complex liver diseases, the dosage is sometimes exceeded, but such treatment is always discussed with a doctor.

Medicinal properties of milk thistle seeds

The seeds are most often used for treatment. They are accessible and inexpensive, and if desired, completely free. I wrote a separate article about how to harvest milk thistle seeds. They have the following properties:

hepatoprotective;
immunomodulatory;
antioxidant;
choleretic;
anti-inflammatory;
vascular strengthening.

Let's go through each point in more detail.

A separate article supplementing the material - milk thistle seeds - medicinal properties, contraindications.

Hepatoprotective properties

What does it mean? If we turn to Latin, hepar means liver, and protecto means protect. Accordingly, the hepatoprotective properties of milk thistle seeds are properties that protect the liver.

This is actually true! Milk thistle seeds are considered one of the best natural hepatoprotectors, that is, completely natural remedies that protect and restore the liver.

What are the hepatoprotective properties?

With regular use, the affected areas of the liver are restored.
All metabolic processes in the liver and its work are normalized (how to drink milk thistle for the liver).
There is a cleansing of toxins, impurities and other harmful substances.
The resistance of hepatocytes (liver cells) to harmful factors (alcohol, antibiotics, chemotherapy, etc.) increases.

Hepatoprotectors play a very important role in the normal functioning of the human liver. If an organ is damaged, thanks to them it will recover faster, if it is healthy, it will be reliably protected!

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Immunomodulatory properties

It has been proven that milk thistle has immunomodulatory properties, which means it can influence the immune system. This happens due to the rich composition, primarily silymarin, which is generally considered a unique substance, which also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Immunomodulatory properties are the properties of a particular plant (in our case, milk thistle) to influence the immune system in a positive way, that is, to help strengthen it.

Antioxidant properties

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, milk thistle protects the human body from the negative effects of free radicals. Nowadays, there are many factors influencing oxidation processes in the body (radiation, smoking, ecology, etc.), so the antioxidant properties of milk thistle come in handy here.

It is also generally accepted that antioxidants help the body not to age and look younger, and protect against chronic and cardiovascular diseases.

Again, silymarin is a whole complex of antioxidants consisting of silybin, silychristin and silydianin. This simply does not exist in nature anymore.

Choleretic properties

Thanks to its choleretic properties, milk thistle helps normalize the outflow of bile, and in some cases can even dissolve small stones and remove sand from the body.

But here you need to be careful, since you can cause the movement of stones and if they are large, there is a risk that it will block the bile duct, and this is very dangerous!

There is a separate article on the topic - the use of milk thistle for cholelithiasis.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Due to its pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, milk thistle can be used to treat chronic liver diseases, relieve inflammation of the spleen or bile ducts.

When used externally, for example, in the form of a compress from an alcohol tincture of seeds, you can relieve inflammation from sore joints.

Vascular strengthening properties

Milk thistle seeds have vascular strengthening properties, therefore they are very beneficial for the cardiovascular system. In addition, they cleanse the blood. To get results you need to take several courses.

What is milk thistle?

Milk thistle is a rather picky plant. It grows almost everywhere. The shrub can be found in courtyards, vacant lots, fields, on roadsides, at the border of steppes and forest belts. The second name for milk thistle is tartar. The plant belongs to the thistle family and has spiny stems that can reach 2 meters in height.

People have learned to use the medicinal properties of milk thistle for a long time. The benefits of the plant for human health are mentioned in the ancient Greek treatises of the doctors Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides.

In ancient Greece, milk thistle was actively used to treat people suffering from bites of poisonous animals (snakes, spiders and other insects). In ancient Rome, this plant was used to treat liver diseases, gallbladder diseases and even melancholy.

When the widespread struggle against witches and healers began in the world, much knowledge about the beneficial qualities of milk thistle was lost. However, even this did not stop medieval healers from using plant seeds in their practice. Thus, in Europe in the Middle Ages they were the main medicine for the treatment of hepatitis.

Modern medicine does not ignore milk thistle. It is actively used to treat diseases of the liver and gall bladder. Not only the seeds, but also the roots and leaves of the plant have therapeutic properties. They are used to renew the cells lining the bile ducts, to improve the outflow of bile, to increase the filtering capacity of the liver, and in the complex treatment of hepatitis.

Medicinal properties of milk thistle oil

Milk thistle oil is the second most popular form of administration after seeds. It comes in capsules and in regular, liquid form. It is universal, that is, it is used both for oral and external use. Regardless of which one you purchased, it has the following medicinal properties:

strengthens the immune system;
has hepatoprotective properties (milk thistle oil for the liver);
has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels;
reduces cholesterol levels;
has wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, which has a positive effect in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases;
has a lasting cosmetic effect, which affects the condition of the skin;
Thanks to its bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties, it can be used to treat psoriasis, acne and even vitiligo.

An article complementing the topic - the benefits and harms of milk thistle oil, as well as how and for what diseases to use it.

How to take for medicinal purposes - detailed instructions

So, what do you need to know about using this useful and affordable product? I will not touch on the use for cosmetic or food purposes, this is a topic for a separate article, I will only touch on the use for various diseases.

There are 3 reception options:

Internal (oral)
Outer
Enemas and douching

Let's look at each method in more detail.

Taking milk thistle oil internally

Taken for diseases of the liver, stomach, other gastrointestinal diseases, for the purpose of general health improvement of the body

The course of treatment is 1 month, after which a break is needed for a period of 7 to 30 days. If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated.
Dosage: 1 teaspoon 1-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

The number of appointments is determined by the severity of the disease. So, for example, for general health purposes it will be enough to take 1 teaspoon of oil per day, but for cirrhosis or hepatitis you need 3 times a day.

Stomach diseases, such as ulcers, are treated by taking the oil 1-2 times a day. You must drink it 1 hour before meals. The course of treatment is the same for 1 month, followed by a break.

Use for constipation

You can get rid of constipation in a short time if you drink 1 teaspoon 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
The effect will be noticeable within a few days.

For diseases of the cardiovascular system

1 teaspoon morning and evening 30 minutes before meals.
The course of treatment is a month with a mandatory break of at least a week. If necessary, the course is repeated.

Taking milk thistle oil in capsules

When selling oil in capsules, the product always comes with instructions for use. It should be adhered to. Typically, adults are recommended 2-4 capsules per day, the course of treatment is from 1 to 2 months.

External use

For burns, wounds, cuts and abrasions

The meaning of treatment is to apply a napkin or cotton swab dipped in milk thistle oil to the wound as a compress.
Napkins are changed daily. Course of treatment until the patient's condition improves.

For lichen, dermatitis, allergies

For the above diseases, simply applying oil to problem areas will help.
The course of treatment is until improvement or complete recovery (optional).

For eczema

For eczema, it is recommended to take a sterile napkin (sold in pharmacies), moisten it with oil and apply it to the sore spot, fixing it at the same time.
These napkins are changed once a day. The course of treatment is at least 2 weeks in a row.

Enemas and douching

For hemorrhoids

Treatment is divided into 3 phases:

Cleansing enema
Therapeutic microenema (30 milliliters)
Lubricating the anus with milk thistle oil

Inflammatory processes and erosion of the cervix

In the mentioned cases, douching will help. To do this you need to mix 50 ml. milk thistle oil, 2.5 ml. tea tree oil and insert this mixture into the vagina, then lie down for 5 minutes with your legs up. The best effect is achieved if you douche at night.

Beneficial properties of milk thistle roots

Milk thistle root is used for medicinal purposes less often than seeds or oil, but it also has almost the same properties as all milk thistle. It is infused with alcohol or medicinal decoctions are prepared on its basis, used for diseases of the liver or gastrointestinal tract, edema, radiculitis and other diseases.

Sometimes, when preparing decoctions, a mixture of milk thistle leaves and roots is used. This approach is considered more effective. Also, all kinds of dietary supplements and tablets are made based on milk thistle roots.

Medicinal properties of milk thistle root:

anti-inflammatory;
hepatoprotective;
choleretic;
immunomodulatory;
wound healing.

What medicinal properties does milk thistle juice have?

Many people living in rural areas store milk thistle juice for the winter, as it has excellent medicinal properties.

It helps with joint pain and inflammation, treats diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and can be used for cosmetic purposes, for example, to cleanse the skin and treat acne.

Medicinal properties of milk thistle meal

Many people confuse meal with milk thistle powder or extract. These are different things, but both are useful and have healing properties. I won’t talk about the powder; I had a separate article on how to take milk thistle powder for the liver. But meal affects the body as follows:

normalizes the functioning of the intestines and heart muscle;
regulates fat metabolism;
strengthens, cleanses and restores liver cells;
improves bile flow;
removes waste and toxins;
normalizes blood glucose levels, kidney, liver and stomach function.

Additional articles on the topic:

Milk thistle meal – beneficial properties and contraindications;
instructions for use of milk thistle meal;
benefits and harms, how to take, reviews;
all indications and contraindications for the use of meal;
how to prepare milk thistle meal at home.

Using milk thistle for weight loss

Reviews from people who have lost weight on how to take milk thistle for weight loss are the most eloquent. You should not rely only on this plant - it only helps the process, but you must organize it yourself. Milk thistle cleanses the body, improves metabolism and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, due to which a person’s transformation occurs. But without a calorie deficit and physical activity, you won’t be able to lose weight, so make milk thistle your assistant, but don’t replace the main components of weight loss with it.

How to use? In the form of tea, oil, meal. The first option is the simplest. The main thing is not to forget that the medicinal drink should not be sweetened. We drank tea for 2 months, took a 2-3 week break. If you see an effect, continue.

Lose weight with milk thistle? This is what this video is about.

Read about using milk thistle meal in our article: Useful properties and contraindications of milk thistle meal. How an inconspicuous cake treats the liver, relieves hangovers and helps you lose weight .