Milk Thistle Health Benefits

In this article you will discover some Magnificent Milk Thistle Health Benefits. As a example milk thistle may offer a benefit for people whose liver is damaged by alcohol, keep reading to learn more. Milk thistle whose botanical name is “Silybum marianum” is a common herbaceous biennial or annual plant that belongs to the “Asteraceae” plant family.

The natural herb which can also be referred to as “Lady’s Thistle, Holy Thistle or St. Mary Thistle” has been used as an effective natural remedy for over 2,000 years now. Milk Thistle is believed to have obtained its name from the distinct milky white fluid that is produced by the plant’s leaves when crushed.

Milk Thistle: Benefits

This article is going to educate you on some common health benefits that can be obtained from consuming this natural herbal remedy which is native to southern Russia, North Africa, southern Europe and Asia Minor.

Milk Thistle Weight Loss

Milk thistle has been scientifically proven to assist people to lose weight in various ways. The natural herb has been discovered to effectively regulate the size of fat body cells, which is very crucial in weight loss.

Silymarin, which is the main chemical compound, found in the natural herbal remedy provides potent anti-inflammatory properties that are used to reduce the large inflamed liver and fat cells found in individuals with obesity.

By reducing these body cells Milk thistle thus boosts the human body’s process of eliminating unwanted body fat.

The natural herbal remedy is also known to facilitate weight loss through boosting the liver’s blood purification function. This is because by removing harmful toxins from the body the Milk thistle herb also ends up increasing the overall fat metabolism process which is important for weight loss. Silybum marianum has also been known to in one way or another help in lowering blood sugar levels thus facilitating the weight loss process.

Milk Thistle Improves Liver Health

This is definitely one of the most effective yet undisputed effects of the natural herb. Herbal experts and health practitioners from all over the world can unanimously agree that Milk thistle is currently the only potent liver protection remedy today(¹). The herbal remedy is dramatically effective such that it is the only reliable treatment option for Amanita mushroom poisoning, which is a serious medical condition that is known to damage the liver.

According to various scientific studies, the Milk thistle herb has potent bioflavonoid compounds that can be used to protect the liver through shielding the body organ against various common harmful toxins like alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, and acetaminophen.

The silymarin compound found in the herbal remedy actively enhances liver cell membranes, making it almost impossible for toxins to penetrate through them. Milk thistle’s potent antioxidant properties are also helpful when it comes to liver cell regeneration and minimizing liver inflammation. By improving overall liver health, Milk thistle is able to alleviate common liver problems including swelling, jaundice, and hepatic pain.

Cancer prevention

According to numerous scientific studies, the herb’s powerful anti-oxidant properties that are obtained from its silymarin compound have been proven to be particularly effective for inhibiting the development of human cervical, breast and prostate cancer cells. However, more scientific studies are required to ascertain this as most of the research findings were obtained from premature laboratory stage trials alone.

Despite this, various cancer patients have reported positive results after using the natural herb to manage their condition. Silybum marianum has also been discovered to be anti-carcinogenic in nature as it has been found to help the human body to naturally express its ligand compounds that can be used to halt the progression of cancer cells.

Lowering cholesterol levels

The Milk thistle natural herbal remedy has been scientifically proven to lower blood cholesterol levels significantly. One animal study, in particular, revealed that the silymarin compound found in the natural herb can work as effectively as or better than the popular pharmaceutical “Prubocol” drug that is known for its potent cholesterol-lowering effects. Apart from lowering blood cholesterol levels, this study also revealed that Milk thistle has the ability to raise HDL cholesterol levels considerably.

The herbal remedy is also known to contain high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids that are very important when it comes to maintaining proper heart health. These Omega-3 fatty acids can easily be used to balance body cholesterol levels, thus preventing atherosclerosis, which is a fatal medical condition known to result in stroke and heart attack.

Benefits Of Milk Thistle For Skin

The skin is an essential body organ that needs to be cared for and maintained. However, the presence of harmful toxins in the human environment makes it almost impossible to achieve this. This is why it is recommended that people should detoxify regularly to purify their blood. Milk thistle is one of the most commonly used natural detoxification agent that can achieve this hence can also do wonders for the human skin.

For instance, psoriasis which is a common skin disorder is mainly attributed to the presence of toxins in the bloodstream which may be due to abnormal liver functions. It has been scientifically proven through various clinical trials that detoxification using the natural herbal remedy can also result in a myriad of health benefits including the alleviation of common skin disorders such as psoriasis.

Treating or preventing gallstones

The silymarin compound found in the natural herbal remedy has the ability to increase bile solubility thus increasing its flow throughout the gallbladder. Increasing bile flow makes it almost impossible for gallstones to form, thus preventing the condition in totality.

Scientific findings also indicate that the regular usage of the Milk thistle herb can easily cause a significant reduction in bile cholesterol levels. Raising bile solubility encourages bile circulation, which then effectively treats or prevents gallstones.

Diabetes management

Several studies undertaken on the herb have shown that Silybum marianum can be beneficial for diabetics. One particular study that was published in the “Phytomedicine” journal in the year 2015 indicates that regular consumption of the natural herbal remedy produces potent antioxidant properties that can be used to alleviate inflammation in the human body.

These antioxidant effects may greatly benefit diabetics through reducing oxidative stress, which is a major factor in the development of most severe diabetes complications.

Other scientific studies have also proven that Milk thistle has the ability to regulate blood sugar levels thus preventing type 2 diabetes. Milk thistle can easily be used to regulate insulin levels(²) while maintaining even blood sugar levels through the combination of silymarin, fatty acids, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds found in it.

CONCLUSION

Milk thistle just like most popular natural herbal remedies has also been discovered to cause some side effects. These side effects, although rare, are known to occur in specific groups of people, hence; it is recommended that you consult your herbal expert or trusted health practitioner before you start using the natural remedy.

Bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite and heartburn are some of the side effects of milk thistle. Apart from these side effects, some individuals have also been documented to experience severe allergic reactions, including difficulty in breathing, hives, rashes and swelling especially those that are allergic to ragweed.