Milk thistle seeds – for health without difficulty!

Description of the plant

Milk thistle, the seeds of which are used in folk and traditional medicine, is an annual flowering plant of the Asteraceae family. Its homeland is the Mediterranean, but now it grows throughout the world. Milk thistle is also known as thistle, Mary's thistle, frogwort. This is a weed that grows on roadsides and vacant lots. Often it is specially grown in the garden, as they know about the medicinal properties of the seeds.

photo of a plant in its natural habitat

This plant is unpretentious, grows up to 150 cm. The stem is erect, bare or covered with hairs. Near the roots there are large feathery leaves. On the stem they are small, alternate, with characteristic white veins and spines.

Milk thistle blooms all summer, starting in June. The inflorescence is a spherical basket up to 4 cm in diameter. The flowers are purple, pink or violet. The seeds are ovoid, 5-8 mm long, brown or black. They are odorless and taste slightly bitter.

Chemical composition of milk thistle

Milk thistle seeds are used as a medicine. They contain about two hundred useful microelements. These are flavonoids, saponins, organic acids, oils, proteins. They contain vitamins A, E, D, K, calcium, copper, magnesium, selenium, iron and other minerals.

But the main substances that give milk thistle seeds medicinal properties are silymarin and other flavonolignans. There are 65-80% of them in the seeds. Thanks to them, the plant protects liver cells from damage and removes toxins.

Medicinal properties

Milk thistle seeds have medicinal properties: antioxidant, sedative, anti-inflammatory, and tonic. They are valued for their ability to remove toxins, relieve pain, destroy bacteria, strengthen the immune system, and have a slight laxative and diuretic effect. But the main effect of milk thistle is hepatoprotective. It is used in folk and official medicine to protect and restore liver cells.

the rich chemical composition allows the use of milk thistle seeds for medicinal purposes

The benefits of milk thistle seeds for the body of women, men and children

The medicinal properties of seeds and their rich composition, when used correctly, have the following effect on the body:

• accelerate metabolic processes;
• protect liver cells from penetration of toxic substances;
• normalize peristalsis and intestinal microflora;
• reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels;
• eliminate joint and tooth pain;
• normalize hormonal levels;
• improve memory;
• strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• accelerate cell regeneration processes.

Milk thistle seeds are beneficial for children and adults. They will help men with problems with potency, constipation, and radiculitis. They are recommended to be taken in case of alcohol intoxication or working in hazardous industries.

Women take the seeds of this plant to activate metabolic processes and normalize weight. Milk thistle helps cure cervical erosion, vaginitis, prevents the development of cancer and osteoporosis, and normalizes hormonal levels. It is also used to improve the condition of skin and hair.

The plant is also useful for children. It has an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, tonic effect, and normalizes digestion. But treating a child with seeds requires prior consultation with a doctor.

compliance with contraindications and norms for taking medications is the key to a therapeutic effect on the body

Contraindications to the use of milk thistle and side effects

Before use, be sure to study the indications and contraindications for the use of milk thistle. Despite the beneficial properties and safety of this plant, not everyone can take it. It is not recommended to be treated with milk thistle in the following cases:

• children under 12 years old;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• for chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis;
• cholelithiasis and urolithiasis;
• epilepsy, mental illness;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• bronchial asthma;
• with individual intolerance.

The benefits and harms of this plant have not yet been fully studied in medicine, so you need to follow your doctor’s recommendations. This plant is non-toxic and well tolerated. But the instructions for use must be followed, because if they are violated, side effects may occur:

• nausea, heaviness and discomfort in the abdomen;
• intestinal disorder;
• headaches or joint pain;
• allergic reaction;
• decreased performance;
• sleep disturbance.

the drug is used for the treatment and prevention of various pathological conditions

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. I suggest you take a closer look at them.

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.

Where is milk thistle used in traditional and folk medicine?

Milk thistle is now one of the most popular medicinal plants. Silymarin isolated from seeds is used in official medicine as a hepatoprotector. Its antiviral and anticancer effects are being studied.

Thistle seeds are effective in the complex treatment of such pathologies:

• hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure;
• biliary dyskinesia;
• peptic ulcer;
• anemia, vitamin deficiency;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• drug poisoning, alcohol intoxication;
• intestinal upset, constipation;
• arthritis, arthrosis, salt deposition;
• allergy;
• diabetes, obesity;
• ARVI, parasitic infections;
• varicose veins, hemorrhoids;
• psoriasis, difficult-to-heal wounds;
• dry skin, acne, hair loss.

Milk thistle seeds are used for medicinal purposes whole, in the form of meal and oil from them. They are sold in pure form and in capsules. On sale you can find tea with plant seeds, flour, paste (urbech). For preventive purposes, you can consume honey with milk thistle, bread with ground grains.

The pharmacy offers a wide range of drugs containing milk thistle seeds

Pharmaceutical preparations with milk thistle

In traditional medicine, milk thistle is used as a hepatoprotector. Liquid extracts, tinctures, oil are sold; extract from seeds is also included in tablets and capsules. The most famous of them: Gepabene, Karsil, Legalon, Silimar, Sibektan.

Contraindications

The biggest advantage of this treatment is that it has virtually no contraindications. There are some restrictions, but exceptions are possible in consultation with the doctor.

It is better to refrain from thistle therapy:

• if the child is under 12 years old;
• if the patient has epilepsy, chronic inflammation;
• gallstone pathology;
• individual intolerance or allergy to the plant.

Everyone should not drink milk thistle tea; it has a number of contraindications. It is not recommended to use this herbal tea in the following situations:

• in case of individual intolerance to one of the components of the plant;
• during pregnancy and lactation - at this stage allergic manifestations and other unpredictable consequences for well-being are possible;
• with diabetes mellitus. This is a relative contraindication - admission can only be authorized by a doctor;
• for some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary organs.

You should not drink milk thistle tea while taking antipsychotics and sedatives.

How to prepare an effective medicine from milk thistle at home

Before use, you need to learn how to properly take milk thistle seeds. At home, decoctions, infusions, powders and other remedies are made from them. It is important to strictly follow the dosage and duration of treatment. The course of taking such drugs is usually a month, then you need to take a break. There are several popular ways to use milk thistle seeds.

• Regular and sprouted grains are effective in the treatment of hepatitis, cirrhosis and other serious liver diseases. To prepare a decoction of milk thistle seeds, you need to grind them in a blender. Add 500 ml of water to 50 g and simmer over low heat until the volume of liquid is reduced by half. Drink the resulting decoction one tablespoon 5 times a day, an hour after meals.
• You can buy milk thistle meal at the pharmacy, but it is better to prepare the powder yourself by grinding the grains in a coffee grinder. Ground seeds will contain more nutrients and fatty acids, and the meal is made after squeezing the oil. Take 1 teaspoon of powder with water 5 times a day at regular intervals. It is advisable to prepare fresh powder daily; it does not last long.
• You can make an alcohol tincture from the powder. Add a glass of vodka to 50 g and leave for 2 weeks. Place the container in a dark place and shake it every day. Dosage – 15-25 drops diluted in water. Take half an hour before meals 5 times a day.
• A decoction of whole grains in milk can be used to treat children. Pour 1 tablespoon into a glass of hot milk, bring to a boil and turn off. You can leave it overnight in a thermos. In the morning, bring to a boil again, and strain after cooling. Drink ¼ cup 4 times an hour after meals.
• To prepare a healthy tea, you need to brew the ground seeds with boiling water and leave covered for 20 minutes. For 1 tbsp. l. meal you need 3 glasses of water, you can add a bag of black or green tea. Drink with sugar or honey, as the infusion is bitter.

Urbich from milk thistle seeds is a natural and highly effective dosage form

Beneficial properties of milk thistle roots

The drug is produced as follows: 30 grams of crushed fruits are poured into 0.5 liters of warm water and boiled in a water bath until the composition has evaporated by 50%, then filtered and consumed 15 ml (1 tablespoon) every 60 minutes. The course of therapy is from 30 to 60 days.

Fruits crushed in a coffee grinder can be added to all dishes (porridge, soups, desserts, etc.), used as breading, etc. Thistle will do its job in almost any application. It is important that all components of the fruit end up in the digestive system in their natural form.

Cleansing the liver is a useful procedure that makes the organ work fully and prevents the development of pathological disorders. There are many options for conducting a therapeutic event. One of the most popular is liver cleansing with milk thistle. The effect of treatment depends on the degree of understanding of the specific use of the plant.

Milk thistle (milk thistle) is a weedy plant with white or pink flowers and spiny, spotted leaves. Widely used in cooking, folk and traditional medicine.

The herb is rich in vitamins, mucus, silymarin and other components, and has a beneficial effect on the human liver:

• neutralizes toxins;
• stimulates the production of enzymes;
• synthesizes protein, glutathione;
• stimulates the gallbladder;
• reduces the likelihood of developing cholesterol dystrophy;
• restores damaged cells;
• reduces the risk of organ obesity;
• protects the liver from external adverse influences.

Milk thistle effectively normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism. It is used for cleansing during alcohol intoxication or while taking pills.

The plant is used for prevention and treatment. In addition to general cleansing, the herbal medicine helps protect the liver from adverse effects.

To properly clean the exocrine gland, it is recommended to lie down after taking the drug, place a previously prepared heating pad in the right hypochondrium and warm the liver for 30-40 minutes.

Preference should be given to the right products - natural juices or mineral water.

Cleansing the liver with milk thistle oil helps the body rid itself of toxic substances and increases the organ’s protection from the effects of poisons and pollution. The main advantage of the herbal medicine is its saturation with useful components, including vitamin E, called a natural antioxidant. Milk thistle oil helps relieve pain in the liver and active bile excretion.

The product can be purchased at any pharmacy. It is available as a liquid or in capsule form. Adults consume 1 teaspoon of liquid oil daily or 4 capsules three times a day. It is advisable to take the product with meals.

The plant extract is used to prepare a medicinal suspension.

Bottles of oil should be stored in a dark, dry place at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. It is advisable that the drug is out of the reach of children.

Seeds

Milk thistle seeds for cleansing the liver are included in a cleansing tea or decoction. An alcohol tincture or useful suspension is made from the grains.

As a rule, the seeds of the plant are crushed, but it is acceptable to use them whole.

Regular use of the herbal remedy helps improve the functioning of the gland and the disappearance of symptoms of ailments - bitterness in the mouth, pain in the hypochondrium, nausea, problems with the skin.

Useful oil is extracted from the seeds and a powdery mixture is obtained - meal. The rules for using milk thistle depend on how the raw materials were processed.

For whole or ground grains, the daily dosage is the same: 1 tsp. three times a day.

Powder

Milk thistle powder - crushed seeds. The product is most effective because all grain components are used.

Milk thistle “flour” is consumed dry or becomes an ingredient in a suspension. The crushed plant is drunk 5 g three times a day, washed down with plenty of clean water or mineral water without gas, 30 minutes before meals.

To prepare a suspension, 50 g (10 tsp) of powder is mixed with 70 g of a similar oil, mixed thoroughly and placed in an airtight container. Store the mixture in a dark, dry place, take 1 tsp three times a day. Shake the container well before use.

Meal is the second name for the powder into which milk thistle seeds are ground. Under it, the product is produced and sold in a pharmacy. It is worth purchasing milk thistle in the form of meal if you cannot grind the grains yourself. “Plant shot” is packaged in a sealed plastic bag and cardboard box. Instructions for use are usually printed on the package.

To cleanse the liver, using a decoction of the roots of the plant is effective. To prepare it, take 30 g of root and add 1 glass of hot water. Place the container on low heat and cook for half an hour. After cooling, filter the mixture and add 1 glass of warm boiled water. It is recommended to take the decoction daily on an empty stomach, 1 tbsp. l.

Flowers, leaves and juice of milk thistle are beneficial to the body and are used as raw materials for tinctures, as spices and as ingredients in dishes. A menu that includes milk thistle helps protect the entire body from the influence of pathogenic irritants.

Experts in traditional treatment have collected the most effective recipes that describe how to brew milk thistle at home.

The most popular recipe: 1 teaspoon of seeds is poured with 1 glass of boiling water. The mixture is left to steam for 20 minutes, then filtered. It is recommended to divide the resulting amount of drink into 3 doses. Take the decoction in small sips half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Option two: chop 1 tbsp. l. milk thistle seeds (you can use a coffee grinder), pour in 0.5 liters of water, put on low heat and cook until the volume of liquid is reduced by about half.

You can cleanse the liver in children with a decoction of milk thistle in milk. Pour 1 tbsp into the pan. l. whole grass seeds, pour them with 1 glass of warm milk and send them to the fire. After boiling, mix thoroughly.

Leave it on the stove turned off to infuse overnight. In the morning, bring the broth to a boil again, then cool and filter. Give the child 0 drinks 4 times a day.

25 cups (approximately 50 g) after each meal.

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The course of treatment with milk thistle depends on the person’s age, his lifestyle, and the form of the product used. Therapy with a medicinal plant can be carried out from 1 week to several months.

If herbal oil is used, the cleansing course lasts 30-60 days. For greater efficiency, it is recommended to repeat cleaning 2-3 times a year.

It is recommended to use seeds in tea or decoction for no longer than 2 months. The preferred break between cleansing courses is usually 3-4 months, after which the therapy is repeated. If the medication is taken throughout the day (every hour), the cleaning time is a maximum of 2 weeks.

The use of the suspension is permissible for no longer than 30 days, which is due to the high concentration of effective components in this product.

If you have diseases, you should cleanse your body within 3 months. It is unacceptable to start cleaning during an exacerbation of liver diseases. In order not to harm your own body, you should consult a doctor before starting the event.

Milk thistle is a useful remedy for the treatment or prevention of various ailments. However, there are contraindications that limit the use of the herb. Cleaning the liver from contamination with milk thistle is prohibited if:

1. Individual sensitivity to the plant.
2. Pregnancy period.
3. Breast-feeding.
4. Mental disorders.
5. Gallstones.
6. Oncological formations in the liver.

If you experience digestive disorders, rashes, redness or pain during cleansing procedures at home, you should stop therapy and consult a doctor.

Cleansing the liver with milk thistle is a good way to stabilize the functioning of the internal organ. For the procedure to give a positive result, you must follow the instructions for using the product step by step. To monitor the condition of the liver, it is advisable to carry out the activity under the supervision of a qualified specialist.

The article was approved by the editors

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.

Tea with the plant contains more than 50 beneficial components that help support the immune system, relieve painful spasms and inflammation, get rid of pain, and also heal wounds. But the most important of all the components of the plant is considered to be silymarin, which doctors call a liver protector. Silymarin protects the organ during various inflammatory processes, in particular those provoked by viral hepatitis.

An aqueous tincture of milk thistle also helps liver cells recover faster in case of poisoning, and also neutralizes cells with damaged DNA. Tea is often prescribed as one of the components of complex treatment to reduce liver pressure and relieve inflammatory processes in the gallbladder.

How to use milk thistle seeds

It is more effective to drink milk thistle seeds. They contain more nutrients than oil and meal. They need to be used to make infusions, decoctions, brew tea, grind into powder or sprout.

The oil is used internally for liver diseases and constipation. You need to drink a tablespoon before meals. But more often it is used externally. It helps with many skin pathologies, heals wounds and cracks, and treats hemorrhoids. The oil is used for massage and added to masks for hair and skin. It eliminates dryness, flaking, and strengthens hair follicles.

Meal is the product that remains after squeezing out the oil. It contains a lot of protein and flavonoids. Most often it is recommended to use it for preventive purposes, as a food additive. It goes well with fermented milk products, cereals, and freshly squeezed juices. Meal helps protect and restore liver cells, removes toxins, strengthens the immune system, and normalizes digestion. This product helps you lose weight; a glass of kefir with a tablespoon of powder replaces dinner.

How to germinate

Milk thistle is most beneficial when germinating seeds. They have an increased concentration of beneficial microelements. During growth, all substances are activated and therefore act more effectively on the body. Milk thistle sprouts improve intestinal microflora, help with gastritis, colitis, and slow down aging. They are used to cleanse the body, for excess weight, and for general health.

To sprout, you need to buy fresh seeds at a pharmacy or specialty store. At home, you need to soak them in warm water overnight. You will also need a flat plate and gauze. How to germinate seeds correctly:

1. Rinse the soaked seeds in running water.
2. Place 2 layers of damp gauze on a plate.
3. Place the grains on it in one layer, add water so that they are not completely hidden.
4. Cover the top with wet gauze.
5. Place the plate in a warm place.

Sprouts from some grains appear the very next day. You need to make sure that the gauze is wet all the time. Germination usually takes 3-5 days. You can eat seeds that have sprouted up to 5 mm. Before use, they must be rinsed with running water.

raw materials for the preparation of medicinal products can be prepared independently, and if desired, purchase a ready-to-use product

When to collect and how to dry milk thistle

Milk thistle seeds are easy to buy at the pharmacy, but you can collect them yourself. Thistle is a weed plant; it can be found in forests, wastelands, abandoned fields, and along roads. For medicinal use, it is better to grow milk thistle in the garden or collect it away from the city, landfills and roads. In folk medicine, the roots, leaves of the plant, but most often the seeds are used.

Grains need to be collected from bushes that grow in sunny, moist areas. In the shade, milk thistle produces almost no fruit. Raw materials are collected from late summer to October. The seeds ripen unevenly, first on the central shoots, later on the lateral shoots. Only fully ripened fruits are suitable for use. They need to be collected in dry weather from healthy plants.

The collected baskets should be dried under a canopy or in a well-ventilated area. Then you need to clean them and sort out the seeds. It is recommended to dry the grains in an oven at a low temperature (+45˚) for several hours. Stir them periodically during the drying process. Strong heating should not be allowed; at a temperature of 60˚ silymarin is destroyed.

Dried seeds should be stored in hermetically sealed glass containers or paper bags. The room must be dry and warm; mold should not be allowed to form. They can be used throughout the year.

Milk thistle is one of the few medicinal plants that is widely used not only in folk but also in traditional medicine. When using seeds for medicinal purposes, you must follow the instructions and not exceed the dosage. Then they will help restore health and cleanse the liver.