Instructions for use of milk thistle meal

What is milk thistle

Milk thistle (Maryin thistle) is an annual or biennial thorny plant, its height is 100-150 cm. It has a simple or branched, bare stem. It blooms with purple, pink or white flowers, which are collected in single baskets in the shape of a ball with a tiled wrapper consisting of spiny green leaves.

The flowers are bisexual, tubular, bloom in the 2nd decade of summer. The fruit is an achene with a tuft.

Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Iberian Peninsula. In Russia, the grass is found as a weed in the southern regions of the European part, in the Caucasus and the south of Western Siberia.

It grows in weedy places and is rarely planted in gardens. It runs wild in the garden and is an aggressive weed. Cultivated to obtain medicinal raw materials. The plant is an excellent honey plant.

Compound

The herb contains:

flavonoids - protect human cell membranes and intracellular structure, protect from UV rays and have an antioxidant effect;
flavonolignans - have an antioxidant effect, neutralize free radicals;
alkaloids - eliminate pain and spasms, help stop bleeding, lower blood pressure, and have a positive effect on the nervous system;
saponins - lower the level of “bad” cholesterol in the bloodstream;
fatty oil (up to 25%);
proteins;
vitamin K - stabilizes blood clotting, participates in the activity of the kidneys, liver, and gall bladder;
resins;
slime;
tyramine - increases the amount of endorphins, normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland, improves metabolism, reduces the digestibility of fatty foods;
histamine;
macro- and microelements.

Application

Milk thistle is an edible herb and is used in dietary nutrition. All parts of the plant can be consumed in one form or another. The roots of the herb are eaten raw, boiled or fried. It is advisable to leave the leaves and young shoots in water overnight to remove the bitterness, then add them to salads and boil them as a spinach dish.

The flowers can be eaten as an artichoke or dried, ground and later used as a spice.

Pharmacies sell milk thistle fruit powder, called meal. It is added to porridge, salads, sandwiches, cocktails or taken in powder form.

You can make tea from the plant. In this case, you need to brew crushed roots or seeds. You can also find special tea in filter bags in pharmacies and stores.

In medical practice, milk thistle is used in this form:

oil, which is obtained from seeds;
meal;
alcoholic and aqueous extracts;
herbal tea from fruits;
syrup;
pills.

Ripe milk thistle fruits are used as medicinal raw materials. It is harvested by mowing, drying and threshing the aboveground part of the plant. The fruits are dried in dryers, after which impurities are removed from them.

Herbal preparations have a hepatoprotective effect and help improve the formation and excretion of bile. They are used to treat diseases of the liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.), spleen, chronic cough, jaundice and other ailments. Plant-based medicines can only be used as prescribed by a doctor.

Where can I buy

You can buy milk thistle at a pharmacy or specialized online store. Average prices:

tablets (50 pcs) - 70 rubles;
oil (100 ml) - 270 rubles;
oil in capsules (300 mg, 100 pcs) - 160 rubles;
seeds (50 g) - 50 rubles;
fruits (100 g) - 60 rubles;
tea in filter bags (20 pieces, 1.5 g each) - 70 rubles;
oil (250 ml) - 590 rubles;
oil capsules (750 mg, 30 pcs) - 55 rub.

Before using milk thistle, you should familiarize yourself with its contraindications.

Cooking meal at home

It is worth understanding that it is not possible to remove vegetable oil from meal as much as possible at home using improvised means. However, any medicine prepared with your own hands also has healing properties.

Meal obtained at home will help normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, support and improve the functioning of the liver.

Milk thistle seeds should be soaked in olive oil and stored in a cool, dark place for 3 weeks. Next, the seeds must be removed (squeezed or strained), and the remaining oil used for internal or external use. The cake can be reused. To do this, just dry and grind it.

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Beneficial features

The substances contained in milk thistle have a positive effect on weight loss processes. These components have the following effects on all body systems:

Removing waste, toxins and other harmful substances that cause problems with weight loss.
Silymarin, which is contained in the seeds of the plant, has a powerful antioxidant effect, which is especially important after a diet, as the skin sags, becomes flabby and unsightly.
Silubin, present in the composition, cleanses the liver, so that fats are processed and not deposited on the body.
Normalization of hormonal levels - if the cause of excess weight is hormonal imbalances, then taking thistle-based products can eliminate them. Only in this case is a preliminary consultation with a doctor necessary.
Laxative effect - the leaves of the plant have this feature.
Improving metabolism, which is especially important for those who want to become slimmer.

Milk thistle for weight loss

The 400 active components that make up milk thistle and have a beneficial effect on various systems of the human body are also quite effective for losing weight.

Harmful substances tend to accumulate in the body, thistle helps eliminate them.
Hormonal problems can be overcome by taking medications from this plant.
The leaves of the herb are used as a laxative, which is important for weight loss.
The liver is cleansed, fats are processed more efficiently and are not stored.
Prevents exhaustion and sagging skin after getting rid of extra pounds.

True, thistle is indirectly related to the fight for harmony. Taking it like a magic pill without exercise and thoughtful nutrition makes no sense. But it definitely has a beneficial effect on the vital processes of the body.

Normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal system.
Exchange actions proceed more intensely.
Accelerates the breakdown of fats and their removal from the body.

Such aspects are important when losing extra pounds, because you get rid of contamination with toxins, waste and other allies of excess weight.

Instructions for use

The use of milk thistle meal for weight loss has a number of features that should be strictly observed in order to achieve the desired effect and not harm your health. Follow these rules:

When deciding to lose weight with the help of thistle, it is important to first consult with your doctor to make sure there are no contraindications for using the herb.
Milk thistle should be purchased from pharmacies or stores that have quality certificates.
To speed up the process of losing weight and metabolism, it is recommended to drink dandelion decoction along with milk thistle.
When losing weight, it is necessary to exclude unhealthy foods, carbonated and alcoholic drinks from the diet, and also minimize the consumption of flour, sweet and confectionery products. Canned, pickled, fried, fatty, smoked and salty foods are also prohibited.
The course of treatment is 3 weeks, after which a break of 2 weeks is required.
To enhance the effect, it is recommended to actively engage in sports. You can spin a hoop, run, jump, or use stairs instead of an elevator. Evening walks in the fresh air also have a beneficial effect on the body.

How to drink milk thistle powder

Whatever regimen you choose - protecting the liver, adjusting blood pressure or treating the whole body, while taking this plant you will need to forget about fatty foods and alcohol so as not to reduce the effect of therapy to zero. The scheme for using the meal will depend on the purposes, but if you are not planning to prepare a decoction, tincture or tea, the powder should be taken with warm water and chewed lightly so that the vegetable oils remaining in the shells are released.

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For liver treatment

For chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, biliary dyskinesia and other liver diseases, courses of treatment with milk thistle meal are carried out up to 2 times a year, each lasting 20 days. Afterwards they take a break for 2 weeks and repeat the dosage regimen again for 20 days. Liver treatment is mainly carried out with a classic decoction:

Boil 30 g of ground seeds in 500 ml of water until the amount of liquid is reduced by half. The fire is weak.
Drink a teaspoon every hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eating does not affect the effectiveness of treatment.

Use as a remedy

In alternative medicine, the most effective way to use cake is to prepare a simple infusion: pour 1 tsp into a glass of boiling water. raw materials, leave for 20 minutes. Divide into 2 servings, drink 15 minutes before meals in small sips, always warm. After 40 days of treatment, a break of at least 2 weeks is needed. If the doctor deems it necessary, the course is repeated.

Instructions for using milk thistle meal for weight loss

The effect of this product on the figure is explained solely by the fact that the seed shells normalize metabolism (therefore they are prescribed to people with diabetes), and with active use they give a laxative effect. For this reason, they should only be used as an additional component of a weight loss regimen. The intake algorithm is simple: add 1 tsp. crushed seeds for meals 3 times a day, duration of administration - 2 weeks. It is advisable to combine them with a hot dish: porridge, soup.

Variegated thistle powder for prevention

The dosage of meal, used not for medicinal purposes, but to restore the body or protect the liver, should be set individually, but always start with 1/2-1 tsp, always with food. For stomach diseases, it is advisable to consume meal not at the beginning of a meal. It is important to take into account the age of the patient - children over 3 years old can also undergo a preventive course annually. The options are as follows:

Children are given 1/2 tsp. meal along with breakfast and lunch. The course is no longer than 25 days.
Adults can drink milk thistle 1-2 tsp. morning and evening, and the duration of the preventive course ranges from 30 to 40 days.

How to take milk thistle for weight loss

To reduce weight, milk thistle is prepared as a tea, and its seeds and oil are also taken. Below is a recipe for making thistle tea, as well as ways to use the seeds and oil.

Tea recipe

Ingredients:

water - 220 ml;
thistle seeds - 5 g.

Preparation: Pour boiling water over the raw materials, leave the product for 20 minutes. Strain.

How to use: Drink a warm or hot drink in small sips of ½ glass in the morning and evening. Add mint if desired.

Milk thistle decoction

Ingredients:

milk thistle seeds - 30 g;
water - 0.5 l.

How to cook: Pour the raw materials into a saucepan, then add water and place on low heat. Once the volume of water has reduced by half, remove the container from the heat. Wait 10 minutes and strain.

How to use: Take ½ cup twice a day.

Vitamin decoction

Ingredients:

thistle seeds - 1 tsp;
green tea - 2-3 g;
dried chamomile flowers - 2-3 pieces;
cherry stalk - 0.5 tsp;
currant leaf (chopped) - ½ tsp;
water - 220 ml.

How to prepare: Mix the raw materials, then take 1 tbsp. the resulting mixture and pour boiling water over it. Leave for half an hour, then strain.

How to take: Drink the drink up to 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Thistle oil can be added to salads instead of vegetable oil

Oil

If you do not want to spend time preparing an infusion or decoction, but the desire to lose weight is great, we recommend trying milk thistle oil for weight loss.

The intake scheme is as follows:

1 week - 1 tsp. 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner, washed down with warm water.
Week 2 - with normal absorption of the product, from the second week the volume of oil is increased to 1 tbsp. twice a day half an hour before breakfast and dinner. If desired, milk thistle oil can be used instead of vegetable oil to season salads.

Capsules and tablets

If you have chosen a capsule or tablet form of milk thistle for weight loss, then you should know how to take and drink it correctly.

The dietary supplement is taken 1 piece 1 to 3 times a day, without chewing. In certain cases and with the permission of the doctor, the dosage can be increased to 2-3 capsules at a time. The product is washed down with a small amount of water.

Bran with kefir

Bran and kefir will help diversify your diet. To prepare this dish, take 1-2 tsp. ground milk thistle seeds, then add to a glass of kefir. Drink the drink up to 2 times a day.

Whole seeds

When using whole thistle seeds for weight loss, follow these rules:

Take seeds 1 tsp. 20 minutes before meals 4 times a day.
Take the product with 220 ml of water at room temperature.
Course duration is 3 weeks, after which you need a break for 14 days
If desired, you can carry out up to 4 weight loss courses.

Powder

Recommendation for taking milk thistle powder for weight loss:

Add 1-2 tsp to dishes (porridge, drinks, etc.). powder, they are consumed up to 3 times a day.
For dinner, it is better to drink a glass of kefir or liquid yogurt with the addition of 1 tsp. meal
The powder is added to baked goods made from buckwheat, oatmeal, and rye flour.

Dandelion and milk thistle

To cleanse the liver and improve weight loss processes, it is recommended to combine milk thistle with dandelion. At the same time, it should be remembered that it is undesirable to take dandelion root if you have gallstones.

Dandelion roots help increase appetite and improve digestion processes. The leaves of the plant have a diuretic effect and strengthen the immune system (Bronchomunal can also increase the body’s protective properties).

Tea and decoctions based on these plants are drunk daily: in the morning 30 minutes before meals and in the evening before bed. The recommended dosage is 1-2 glasses of drink.

Water and alcohol tinctures

It is not advisable to use alcohol infusions for weight loss. But if you have chosen this method of weight loss, then it involves diluting 15-20 drops of the product in ½ glass of juice, tea or water. This drink is drunk 1-3 times a day after meals.

How to take milk thistle meal for weight loss

Meal is primarily a medicine, and not a means of losing weight, and getting rid of extra pounds always implies an integrated approach. But nevertheless, milk thistle is an irreplaceable medicine for weight loss! Application:

can be consumed with food as a seasoning in main dishes, as an additive when preparing salads and desserts. The acceptable amount varies from one to two teaspoons per meal. Long-term therapy is possible: from two to four months of continuous use. Milk thistle may have a laxative effect;
Milk thistle flour is great for making tea. This decoction should be cooled and subsequently stored in the refrigerator. Drink one teaspoon every hour. Duration of admission – from two months;
It is acceptable to use before meals as an independent remedy. Dry powder is best washed down with plenty of water. Take one teaspoon twenty minutes before meals four times a day for one to two months. After completing one course, you can take a break and repeat the therapy again.

During treatment, it is better to avoid fatty, overly salty, and spicy foods.

Contraindications

Meal should be taken with caution. Allergic reactions and individual intolerance are possible. Contraindications:

pregnancy, breastfeeding;
stomach diseases;
diseases of the urinary system;
age up to three years;
serious liver pathologies;
diabetes.

If undesirable effects occur, consult a doctor immediately.

Contraindications

It is necessary to refrain from taking milk thistle in the following cases:

urinary tract diseases;
age up to 14 years - in other cases, consultation with a doctor is necessary;
pregnancy;
asthma;
diabetes mellitus - specialist consultation is required;
individual intolerance;
presence of allergies to chamomile, ragweed;
lactation period;
some stomach diseases due to the laxative effect of the herb;
serious liver pathologies;
combined use with other drugs, especially antipsychotics, tranquilizers, sedatives.

Contraindications and side effects

Milk thistle should not be used in childhood, pregnancy and lactation. The herb should not be drunk by those who are allergic to chamomile and ragweed. Medicines based on thistle are prohibited if there is a hereditary tendency to hormonal cancer or malignant tumors of the uterus.

Milk thistle is not combined with oral contraceptives, sedatives, antipsychotics, or medications for the treatment of cancer. The plant should not be used in conjunction with tranquilizers, antipsychotropic and antihypertensive drugs. Uncontrolled use of the herb can cause:

flatulence;
headache;
gastrointestinal disorder;
itching sensation on the skin.

Medicines should be used with caution in cases of epilepsy, mental disorders, bronchial asthma, acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, renal failure, advanced cirrhosis of the liver. People who suffer from diabetes should consult a specialist before using thistle, as the herb helps lower blood sugar levels.

Milk thistle seeds are used to prepare weight loss drinks

Side effects

In some cases, the following side effects may occur after using milk thistle:

migraine;
skin itching;
flatulence;
gastrointestinal disorder.

As a rule, such symptoms occur due to improper use of herbs for weight loss or the presence of contraindications. If milk thistle is not suitable for you for one reason or another, we recommend that you pay attention to other plants that promote weight loss:

stevia;
bardakosh (marjoram);
winterweed;
mistletoe;
hellebore;
senna.

Consult your physician before using herbs.

To enhance the weight loss effect, it is recommended to exercise

Milk thistle recipes for weight loss

A dish made from bran with kefir helps to lose weight. You need to take a glass of fermented milk drink, pour 2 tsp into it. thistle powder, mix everything well, drink 2 times a day at any time of the day. You can take milk thistle for weight loss in the form of a vitamin infusion, which is made from:

1 tsp. milk thistle seeds;
3 g green tea;
2 dried chamomile flowers;
0.5 tsp. cherry stalk;
currant leaf powder.

All ingredients need to be mixed, take 1 tbsp. l. mixture, pour 250 ml of water, the temperature of which should be +90°C, close the container with a lid for 30 minutes, strain the infusion after a specified period of time. Take the product in the morning, at lunch and before dinner half an hour before meals.

Milk thistle tea

Its use tones, improves kidney function, reduces hunger, and helps get rid of various harmful substances. The tea is made like this: you need to take 5 g of plant seeds and pour them with a glass of water, the temperature of which should be +90°C. The drink can be taken warm after a quarter of an hour, half a glass in the morning and evening. There is no need to season your tea with sugar; to enhance the effect, you can add a slice of lemon or mint to the cup.

Milk thistle tea with dried fruits will help get rid of extra pounds and give the body the necessary amount of nutrients. You need to take 2 tsp. crushed seeds, 100 g dried pieces of apple, pear or other fruit, 5 sprigs of mint. Place all ingredients in a suitable container, pour 4 cups of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes. Take 150 ml of the sugar-free drink before meals.

decoctions and infusions with milk thistle are an excellent means for losing weight

An excellent remedy for weight loss would be tea made from crushed thistle roots, dried chamomile flowers and several black currant leaves, which are previously ground into powder. You need to take 1 tsp. each component, pour the mixture with 250 ml of boiling water, leave from the evening until the morning meal. Strain before use, take 150 ml 30 minutes before meals.

For the next type of tea you need to take milk thistle seeds, red rowan fruits and immortelle flowers. The drink will help cleanse the liver, cope with poisoning and strengthen the immune system. To prepare it, take 1 tsp. each of the components, all filled with 500 ml of hot water, infused for 20 minutes. At the end of the specified time, cool the infusion, strain and take 100 ml during the day, but not more than 400 ml per day.

You can drink milk thistle for weight loss along with rose hips and fresh mint leaves. The amount of ingredients and water is the same as in the previous version. Instead of rose hips and mint, you can add 1 tsp each. lingonberry leaves and berries, cherry stalks. Drink 100-150 ml of the drink half an hour before meals, 2 times a day.

Milk thistle oil extract has a wide range of therapeutic effects and helps the body get rid of extra pounds

Milk thistle oil

The product has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, analgesic, atherosclerotic, immunostimulating, anti-radiation, and restorative effects. The drug is drunk 1 tsp. along with a glass of water. Half an hour after taking it, you need to have something to eat. The course of treatment lasts a month, it can be repeated only after 2 weeks.

Seeds and seed decoction

The decoction is prepared from 30 g of seeds and 0.5 liters of water. All ingredients must be placed in a saucepan, put the container on low heat and simmer until the amount of liquid is reduced by half. Then the medicine must be removed from the heat, left for 10 minutes, strained, and taken 100-150 ml in the morning and at night.

A decoction of milk thistle and dandelion will help enhance the effect. For 0.5 liters of water you need to take 1 tbsp. l. milk thistle seeds and the second component, put the mixture on low heat, boil for 30 minutes. After the specified time has expired, cool the broth, strain, drink instead of tea, but without adding sugar. The maximum dose per day is not more than 400 ml.

Schrot

Meal is a cake or by-product of oil production. To obtain it, the whole plant is heated and sent for extraction in presses. Then the oil cake is transferred for extraction, after which solvents of natural origin are added to it. Experts advise taking milk thistle meal for:

poisoning;
cardiovascular pathologies;
skin aging;
brittle nails and hair;
high cholesterol;
disturbances in the functioning of the liver, spleen, cholelithiasis;
weakened immune system;
blood diseases.

Preparations made from this substance have choleretic properties, help in the treatment of female diseases, and lower blood sugar levels. The seeds of the plant contain silymarin, which removes all kinds of waste and toxins from the liver, which helps to get rid of excess weight.

Milk thistle meal for weight loss is prepared from 30 g of seeds and 500 ml of water. Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan, put it on low heat and cook until the liquid reduces by half. 10 minutes after turning off, strain the broth.

Meal is neutral in taste, so it can be added in powder form to soups, side dishes, salads, teas and fermented milk drinks. The course of admission in this form is 40 days. Add 1 tsp to products. powder. Food with the addition of meal is taken no more than 3 times a day.

Tablets and capsules

Regardless of the chosen form of medicine, you need to take them 1 piece at a time. from 1 to 3 times a day. The doctor may allow you to increase the dosage to 3 pcs. at one time, but it is prohibited to drink such doses on your own. The number of milk thistle tablets and capsules is prescribed depending on the degree of concentration of the active substance in the drug.

If you follow all the rules, milk thistle products will quickly and painlessly help you get rid of excess weight

Reviews

Valentina, nutritionist

Whether to drink milk thistle for weight loss or not is something everyone who is losing weight must decide for themselves. The action of this herb is more aimed at cleansing the body of harmful substances, rather than burning fat deposits. Therefore, you should not expect a wow effect.

Inga, therapist

Those who decide to lose weight using any herbs should first undergo an examination to understand the cause of excess weight. Sometimes this is enough to cope with obesity. I do not recommend drinking milk thistle meal for the purpose of weight loss, since it is enough to change your lifestyle and switch to a balanced diet to become slimmer.

Alesya, 28 years old, cosmetologist

I drank milk thistle meal for 3 weeks and lost 1 kg. I expected more results from this herb.

Irishka, 22 years old, secretary

I took 4 courses of milk thistle, the final weight loss was 7 kg. The numbers are impressive, and after losing weight I began to feel much better.

Milk thistle for weight loss has a number of features and contraindications. Therefore, it is advisable to start losing weight on it only after the doctor’s permission. It is important to understand that it does not give a strong effect and, most often, weight loss will be unnoticeable.

Play sports, follow the 6-petal, Estonian, drinking diets, and also follow the nutritional recommendations for your blood type - and in this case you will definitely become slimmer!

Indications for use

Indications for taking milk thistle are the following diagnoses:

liver cirrhosis at any stage;
hepatitis;
cholecystitis;
pancreatic diseases;
poisoning with alcohol, drugs and chemicals, harmful substances from the environment.

Milk thistle meal today can be purchased both in the form of capsules and in the form of bags. The latter are more preferable, since this packaging method allows you to see the active substance itself with your own eyes, whereas doing this when taking capsules is problematic.

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When purchasing, it is advisable to give preference to transparent bags of meal so that you can evaluate its structure and color. Thus, ripe seeds have a dark brown or brown shell. Light-colored meal indicates that unripe seeds were used for its production.