Milk thistle for weight loss: how to take, properties, recipes

According to Russian nutritionists, 54% of the country's population over 30 years old are carrying extra pounds. Women are the leaders among well-fed fellow citizens: they number about 60%. In the world, according to WHO estimates, more than one and a half billion people are overweight, and 5% of overweight people have twice the normal body weight.

A timely fight against excess kilograms will not only return a slim figure, but also normalize your health.

Ways to combat excess weight

Diets. There are a huge number of diet programs. Some of them have a scientific basis, others just make you smile. In any case, a serious drawback of any diet is weight gain after stopping the program.
Hunger. May be complete or partial. There are many contraindications for the method. It will require titanic willpower and a complete absence of physical and psychological stress. For working people this is unrealistic.
Dietary supplements and programs based on them. This method of losing weight costs a pretty penny. In addition, to achieve results you will have to change your eating habits. The method is not safe: the drugs have a complex composition and may well cause exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Tablet preparations from Southeast Asian countries. Thai tablets are especially popular. There is no official patented drug “Thai pills”: nothing has been heard of them in Thailand itself. In addition, Thai-made drugs are prohibited for import into the Russian Federation due to their dubious composition, because often all these “magic” drugs contain psychotropic and narcotic components.
Losing weight with herbs. This method has been known since time immemorial and is backed by rich successful practice. It justifiably has a lot of fans. Among the herbal variety, the undoubted leader in effect is milk thistle.

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Benefits of milk thistle

The beneficial properties of milk thistle products are due to its rich chemical composition. It contains vitamins, minerals and trace elements that have a comprehensive positive effect on the body. The following beneficial properties of the plant are especially highlighted:

Liver cleansing. With the help of milk thistle, toxins and waste are removed from it, which normalizes the functioning of the organ.

Thanks to this, the entire body is cleansed; this is necessary to restore and stabilize metabolic processes and improve tissue absorption of nutrients. A clean and stably functioning liver means the disappearance of acne, bad breath, and increased sweating, which are common problems for overweight people.

Strengthening the immune system . Occurs due to the active effect on the immune system of silymarin - a powerful antioxidant that keeps the skin elastic and young for a long time, and can stop the aging process. Thanks to this beneficial property, those losing weight avoid sagging and sagging skin.
Maintaining hormonal balance . A person can become overweight not only due to regular overeating and lack of physical activity, but also due to disturbances in the production of hormones in the body. Milk thistle is able to adjust the amount of synthesis of these substances, which leads to normalization of metabolic processes and loss of body weight.
Stimulator of bile production. Excellent functioning of the gallbladder is the key to the full functioning of the entire digestive system. Bile takes an active part in the digestion of foods in the stomach, breaking them down into carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Milk thistle also has a preventive effect in relation to the gallbladder - it prevents the formation of stones and blockage of the bile ducts.

We recommend reading about Leovit weight loss tea. You will learn about how tea works for weight loss, types of Leovit teas, contraindications, and its effectiveness in weight loss. And here is more information about Ivan tea for weight loss.

Nice to meet you – milk thistle

The “folk” name of the plant is thistle.

Biological passport of milk thistle:

aster family;
classified as a weed;
distinctive feature - large wavy leaves with shine;
flowering period: July – August;
inflorescences are pink, purple or red with yellowish spines. Collected in green basket legs;
fruiting form – black, egg-shaped achenes;

The healing properties of milk thistle have been used since ancient times. Herbalists use weed seeds. Thistle is one of the most researched plants. Numerous experiments have confirmed the value of the plant from a medical point of view.

Seed composition:

Quercetin;
Flavonoids;
Protein compounds;
Tannins;
Resins;
Alkoloids;
Macro- and microelements;
Vitamin K, vitamin B complex and some others;
Oils and mucus;
Organic dyes;

In total, milk thistle contains more than 180 valuable components and compounds. The high level of knowledge of the plant allows the use of milk thistle preparations in official medicine and is actively used by herbalists for a variety of purposes.

The following drugs are represented on the market:

Tablet supplements;
Tinctures;
Capsules;
Gel for external use;
Organic oil;
Seed meal;

Since ancient times, milk thistle has been successfully used in the treatment of liver and gallbladder diseases. Modern scientific experiments have revealed the ability of thistle to break down fatty deposits. Although in folk medicine such a “side effect” of use was noticed a long time ago and was used for weight loss.

How does milk thistle work for weight loss?

Getting rid of extra pounds is impossible without targeted impact on many human systems and organs:

Thistle removes all accumulated “garbage” from the body . “Unplanned” fat deposits often appear due to contamination with waste products and harmful substances that enter the body.
When losing weight on milk thistle, a person will not find hanging skin folds on the abdomen or jowls on the face . Silymarin, which is part of milk thistle, is not only a powerful antioxidant and immunostimulant. The substance resists sagging skin during significant weight loss.
In the process of taking thistle, the liver is cleansed . As a result, the breakdown of fats occurs intensively: they burn, as in a furnace, without having time to be deposited. This property is provided to the plant by sibin.
The activity of the endocrine system is normalized. The hormonal background comes into balance as intended by nature. If extra pounds appear as a result of hormonal imbalances, milk thistle is simply necessary.
Thistle is an excellent “broom” for the intestines . The excellent laxative effect also promotes weight loss.
Bringing your metabolism back to normal ensures that your weight loss results are consolidated. In fact, the body rejuvenates, all processes in the body proceed faster and more efficiently.
Small rashes on the skin at the very beginning of taking the plant are quite normal. This is how toxins are removed from the body. The stronger the contamination, the more noticeable and intense the external manifestations.
You may feel slightly unwell. This is also the result of cleansing the body systems (liver primarily).
10 days after the start of the course, you can already notice a surge of energy , improved mood and mental activity. Improves complexion. It’s all “to blame” for the rich and balanced composition of thistle.

After completing a weight loss course, a person not only acquires a slim figure, but also gets rid of many ailments.

Useful properties for weight loss

Let's try to figure out whether milk thistle helps you lose weight? This unique plant contains active components that promote weight loss. In some cases, excess weight is formed as a result of the accumulation of toxins and various harmful substances. Milk thistle helps to quickly remove them from the body.

One of the components of the plant is silymarin - it is a very strong antioxidant that helps tidy up the skin, because in the process of losing weight, the skin becomes sagging and sagging. The medicinal plant also contains sibin, which helps cleanse the liver. As a result, fats are thoroughly processed and they do not accumulate in the body. In some cases, excess weight appears as a result of hormonal imbalances. The use of milk thistle-based medications helps restore hormonal balance.

Important! Before using milk thistle, you should consult a doctor so as not to harm the body.

Thistle has excellent laxative properties because its leaves contain fiber. And, as you know, cleansing the body also effectively helps in getting rid of extra pounds. In addition, this plant helps normalize metabolism in the body.

Attention! At the beginning of treatment, minor rashes may appear on the skin. There is no need to worry about this, as toxins leave the body in this form.

Milk thistle significantly improves and also enhances the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract. And this is very important when losing weight, since pathologies in the functioning of the digestive system contribute to excess weight gain.

Side effects and contraindications

Medicinal plants are an integral biological system, where the action of each component is complemented and enhanced by other components included in the composition. Thus, a powerful effect occurs and a long-lasting result is ensured. But any effective drug has contraindications for use.

In what cases should you be more careful with milk thistle or stop taking it altogether?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding. A wonderful time in a woman’s life requires her to be careful. This period is not the best time to experiment on yourself, because the reaction of a pregnant woman’s body can be completely unpredictable. An infant may have allergic reactions to herbal components that pass into breast milk.
Herbal medicine should be used with caution in young children. It is unlikely that a four-year-old child is going to lose weight, but even if there are other indications, you should first consult with your doctor.
Diabetes mellitus, allergic diseases, and neoplasms are also contraindications for taking thistle. If there have been cases of allergic reactions when using chamomile or ragweed, then the body will not accept milk thistle.
You should be wary of milk thistle if you have gastrointestinal diseases and the urinary system due to the laxative effect of the plant.
In cases of taking antipsychotic drugs, tranquilizers and sedatives, the effectiveness of the latter may significantly decrease.

In addition, a number of other more serious side effects are possible. In general, with any course of taking medications, you should definitely consult with your doctor and it is better to postpone the weight loss procedure until the end of treatment.

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How to take milk thistle for weight loss

You should be prepared for long-term use. Weight loss will not begin immediately. First, the process of cleansing organs and systems will take place. eFor the success of the event, it is important to follow the following recommendations for the use of milk thistle:

Whole plant seeds. A teaspoon of this drug is taken 20 minutes before meals four times a day. Wash down the seeds with a glass of water at room temperature. Course: 3 weeks – 2 weeks break. You can conduct 3-4 courses.
Decoction of seeds. Grind 30 grams of raw materials using a coffee grinder. Pour the powder with half a liter of hot (but not boiling water!) water. Heat in a water bath until the contents are reduced by half. The resulting broth is filtered through cheesecloth. Take a cup (150 ml) 2-3 times a day before meals. Course: 1 month – 2 weeks break – 1 month.
Milk thistle oil. It is very effective for weight loss and, moreover, easy to use. A month's worth of taking a dessert spoon of oil 20 minutes before meals three times a day is enough to significantly lose extra pounds. Take the oil with a glass of water. You should not add it to food, as the oil has a pronounced odor and not a very pleasant taste.
The most common form of selling milk thistle is meal , which is ground seeds from which the oil has previously been removed by cold pressing. This product is rich in coarse fiber, so it is an excellent intestinal cleanser. Meal also perfectly removes radionuclides and heavy metal salts.

Here's how it's taken:

2-3 hours. Spoons of powder are added to food (porridge, first courses, drinks).
Frequency of use: 3 times a day.
The best effect will be if you replace dinner with a glass of kefir or liquid yogurt with the addition of meal.
The product can be added to baked goods. But in this case, the flour should be buckwheat, oatmeal or rye.

Milk thistle tea

A teaspoon of seeds is poured into a glass of boiling water. Leave for 30 minutes .
Strain the liquid through a sieve and consume hot, warm or cold in small sips of half a 250-gram glass. It’s worth having two milk thistle tea parties a day. Tea will taste better with the addition of mint, orange or lemon zest. You will have to give up sugar. But if you can’t live without sweets, add a little honey (only real honey).

Milk thistle meal

Milk thistle meal is a product that contains a lot of dietary fiber from the plant. Doctors recommend taking it for constipation and other problems related to bowel function.

If we analyze the reference books of traditional medicine, we can talk about the following properties of meal:

treatment of joint pain and migraine;
decreased appetite;
removing toxins from the human body;
improving liver and kidney function;
lowering cholesterol levels;
improvement of vascular condition;
decrease in blood pressure.

There is no single recipe according to which you can prepare meal for consumption at home.

We recommend reading: Is it possible to drink or gargle with chamomile during pregnancy?

The fact is that different manufacturers make this product in different ways.

Some consider it a waste product obtained by squeezing oil from seeds, while others call milk thistle seed powder meal.

Taking meal for weight loss is practically no different from eating regular bran. 2 teaspoons of the product are added to soup, porridge or kefir. Meal is taken up to 3 times per day.

When taking the product, you should adhere to the following rules:

follow the principles of healthy eating;
replace dinner with kefir and meal;
together with buckwheat and oatmeal flour, add milk thistle seed flour to baked goods;
seed powder can be used instead of bran, adding it to pancakes and baked goods;
The product can be put into tea.

Thistle + willpower

You will definitely be successful if you put in a little effort and don’t let laziness get the better of you.

To stay on course, you will have to strictly follow a simple meal plan:

It is recommended to exclude harmful “goodies” from the diet: canned food, spicy and salty foods, sweets and baked goods made from wheat flour.
All kinds of fast food should be strictly prohibited;

Incorporating milk thistle into sports will significantly enhance and accelerate weight loss. In addition, in the gym you can strengthen your muscle corset and acquire seductive shapes. If active sports are contraindicated, or you are an ardent opponent of sports, spend more time outdoors.

Three to four months of such a life - and health, beauty and self-confidence will become constant companions.