Milk thistle herb - medicinal properties and contraindications

Milk thistle seeds - medicinal properties

The active ingredients of milk thistle improve metabolic processes in the liver, increasing its resistance to adverse conditions.

What does milk thistle help with?

It is worth talking about the medicinal properties and contraindications of spotted milk thistle. Thanks to research carried out in 1968, it was revealed that the plant:

Normalizes metabolism in the body.
Neutralizes the effects of alcoholic drinks.
Strengthen the immune system.
Removes toxins.
Used for skin lesions.
Slow down the processes of withering and aging of the skin.
Lowers sugar levels.
Cleanses the blood.
Most effective for kidney diseases.
Eliminate problems in the genitourinary system.
Psoriasis is treated.
Useful for poisoning.
Very beneficial for the liver, help cure cirrhosis at an early stage.
It is necessary for diseases of the gallbladder and spleen, removes bile, and soothes coughs.
Used for varicose veins of the legs, as well as for: burns;
hemorrhoids;
tumors, including cancerous ones;
decreased bile production;
dermatological diseases;
poisoning;
allergic reactions;
low cholesterol;
inflammation of the intestines and female organs.

The use of drugs (for example, antibiotics) over a long period of time has a negative effect on the body. Harmful substances enter through the digestive tract, which leads to organ damage. The benefit of milk thistle for the liver is that it can protect it, restore cells, and cleanse it of toxins.

Milk thistle is traditionally used to support the functions of the liver and spleen, for constipation and toxic liver damage.

Indications

The scope of indications for the use of milk thistle oil is extremely wide. This is due to the wide variety of beneficial effects of the natural product. It has a restorative effect and normalizes metabolism. The product is prescribed as a source of polyunsaturated acids and vitamin E. Thanks to its intake, health improves.

The hepatoprotective properties of the natural product make it possible to recommend it for various liver diseases. In particular, the effectiveness of dietary supplements for cirrhosis has been proven. Milk thistle oil normalizes the condition of fatty liver degeneration and inflammation of the organ of various origins.

Milk thistle oil in capsules is indicated for the complex treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases. The drug is used in the treatment of gastritis in any phase. Also, thanks to it, it is possible to enhance the effect of treating stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Taking a dietary supplement is also indicated in the following cases:

With decreased performance and increased weakness.
During stressful situations.
For the prevention of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular pathologies.
For inflammatory processes in joints and bones.
During treatment with antibacterial drugs and chemotherapy.
In case of intoxication.

What are the benefits of milk thistle?

Cleanses the liver - neutralizes the effects of toxins, alcohol, restores damaged cells, is a natural antioxidant, eliminates heavy metals.
Protects against cancer - actively fights against the appearance of cancerous tumors, prevents their development, and prevents toxins from entering cell membranes.
Reduces cholesterol - cleanses the blood, has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, and prevents injury to the arteries.
Prevents diabetes, controls – lowers blood sugar, improves circulation, regulates hormones.
Prevents the appearance of kidney stones - supports two systems: gastrointestinal and endocrine, produces bile, enzymes, and cleanses the blood.
Improves the condition of the skin - slows down the aging process, protects against ultraviolet rays.
It has an anti-aging effect - normalizes the functioning of the digestive tract, eliminates the negative effects of free radicals.
It lightens age spots, dark circles under the eyes, smoothes out wrinkles. It also has a positive effect on joints, muscles, and vision.

Conclusion

Of all the treatment options, buying milk thistle seeds is the most preferable, since neither oil nor meal can give such results. All useful substances are fully contained in the seeds! They are also present in oil, but in smaller volumes.

Meal is nothing more than a secondary product of processing the same seeds. In addition, we often sell very low quality meal and it is not possible to visually determine this quality. Powder is just that: powder.

Therefore, if you need meal, make it yourself, at home, from milk thistle seeds. Believe me, it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. This way you will receive a guarantee that your product is 100% high quality, and not a powder mixed with something unknown.

Source of information: https://givizaaltaya.ru/semena-rastoropshi-lechebnye-svojstva-protivopokazaniya/

How to take milk thistle seeds

Milk thistle decoction will help cleanse the body of toxins.

How to take milk thistle for the liver

After all, it protects it from various inflammatory processes, the negative effects of harmful factors, strengthens the walls, gets rid of cells with DNA damage, accelerates regeneration and metabolism. The plant is optimal for cirrhosis, toxic poisoning, hepatitis, dystrophy.

To restore liver functionality, it is recommended to brew an infusion. Pour one small spoonful of seeds into a glass of water (preferably boiling water) and leave for half an hour. Then strain with gauze, take half an hour before meals 3 times a day.
To support the liver, drink 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds with water 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day before meals.
Sprouted milk thistle seeds are very beneficial for the liver. The most useful are sprouts that have 2 leaves. They contain a large amount of useful substances. You need to eat 1 tablespoon per day and your liver condition will improve.
How to properly take milk thistle seeds to cleanse the liver, prepare a decoction for the kidneys and pancreas. Pour 30 grams of crushed seeds into 0.5 liters of boiling water, cook in a water bath, wait until the amount of solution decreases (about half). Strain, drink one tablespoon three times a day 30 minutes before meals. Take the medicine for two months. Can be used as a compress - applied to damaged areas.

Milk thistle oil has a beneficial effect on the normalization of lipid metabolism, the heart muscle, removes cholesterol, and prevents the occurrence of stroke.

By cleansing the liver, the risk of allergic reactions, kidney stones, and inflammation will be reduced. Internal organs interact with each other. Treatment of one leads to prevention of the others.

Decoctions and infusions are not stored for a long time and quickly lose their beneficial properties. Therefore, always prepare fresh drinks.

Use of the plant for kidney diseases and as a preventive measure: paste – mix 4 tablespoons of ground seeds with a small amount of honey, prepare for one day, take 3 times a day, half an hour before meals, one small spoon;
powder – take a maximum of 3 teaspoons per day;
infusion - pour a teaspoon of seeds into a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, take 3 times a day.

The tincture is used for diseases of the pancreas. Mix 0.5 liters of vodka and 50 grams of seeds (pre-grind them), leave for 14 days, shake periodically. Directions: Pour twenty-five drops into half a glass of water, 5 times a day, 30 minutes before meals.
Powder – crushed seeds: 20 minutes before meals, 5 times a day, a teaspoon. Course – 1 month.
Shrot - what is it? This is a secondary product, cake (crushed milk thistle seeds from which the oil has been squeezed out). Powder and meal have different compositions. Meal contains more fiber, microelements and vitamins. Meal designed to improve the health of the liver and the body as a whole. Removes toxins, waste, cleans blood vessels, normalizes intestinal function. Take 1 tsp. 30 minutes before meals 5 times a day.

The required amount of the substance can be calculated: for 1 kg of body weight -1 gram of powder or meal, we obtain the required volume and divide it into 5 doses.

Oil: add five small spoons of seeds to half a liter of oil, boil in a water bath for about ten minutes, strain, apply to burns, damaged areas, purulent wounds. You can also take 1 tsp orally. 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day. The oil is also used: internally;
externally;
into the rectum;
in the vagina;
on the oral mucosa;
into the nose.

Side effects include possible allergic reaction, headaches, nausea, itching, rash or diarrhea.

You can drink tea from milk thistle leaves. It is not used for treatment, but tea will be useful for improving liver function and good functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

You can learn more about maintaining liver function in the article 9 ways to cleanse the liver at home

How to use seed oil in cosmetology

Milk thistle oil nourishes the skin well, protects against flaking, and helps get rid of age spots.

serves as an effective protection of the skin from dehydration and dryness;
prevents the occurrence of peeling;
soothes redness, irritation, inflammation;
increases firmness and elasticity;
evens out the tone of the epidermis;
prevents acne and acne;
stabilizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
The extract is useful not only for the skin, but also for the hair. Thanks to him, they become silky, shiny and strong. Prevents their loss, fragility and fragility.

Before applying oil to your face, you need to prepare it. Read here how you can do this.

For dry skin, as well as rashes and acne, use warmed milk thistle oil. For convenience, you can soak gauze in warm oil and apply it to your face (avoiding the eyes and eyebrows) for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. The procedure is recommended to be done every day. You can simply wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in heated oil.

For dry and mature skin, cosmetologists recommend Cleopatra's mask: Take 1 tbsp. white clay, add a little warm water and stir to form a creamy mass. Add 1 tbsp. milk thistle oil and 2-3 drops of essential lemon oil. Mix everything and apply to the face (avoiding the eyes and eyebrows) for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse with water. If your skin is oily, then instead of white clay you should take blue clay and add lemon juice instead of essential oil.

Milk thistle fruits are used as a means for weight loss

With regular use of milk thistle, the body rids itself not only of toxins and waste, but also of extra pounds.
Instructions for use for one serving: pour a sachet into 100 milliliters of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, drink half an hour before meals. For the effect, you must repeat the process 3 times a day. The result is that metabolism and the functioning of the digestive tract will improve, the body will be cleansed of toxins, protein and fat metabolism will be normalized, and appetite will decrease. Due to the antioxidant effect, the skin will not begin to sag during weight loss.

In addition to the described method, the following options are also suitable:

oil, meal, powder - no more than 3 times a day, one teaspoon;
tablets – 1 capsule 30 minutes before a meal or 1.5 hours after a meal (in this case, once a day is enough);
tea – between meals 4 times.

The seeds are suitable for such types of diets as salad, vegetarian, kefir. They are ideal as an additional remedy to help you get rid of extra pounds.

Read more about losing weight here: 12 tricks that will help you quickly lose weight at home.

Milk thistle meal heals liver cells and the entire body as a whole.

Meal or powder can be used by adding the quantity you need (based on the calculation above) to ready-made dishes, for example:

Pour a teaspoon into a glass of kefir and stir.
Boil buckwheat, pour a teaspoon of crushed product into a portion, add a little oil, stir.

You can read more about comprehensive cleansing of the body in the article: “Detox program for comprehensive cleansing of the body.”

Recommendations

The recommended dosage involves taking capsules three times a day. One-time quantity – 4 capsules. Taking milk thistle oil must be discussed with your doctor. The duration of the course is no longer than 2 months. After a break, you are allowed to repeat taking milk thistle oil capsules. However, it is not recommended to use the dietary supplement more than 3 times a year. If there is no positive effect when taking the product during the first weeks, then you should discard it.

Milk thistle oil should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 18°C in a dry place. It is important to exclude children from accessing dietary supplements. The shelf life of the natural product is 2 years. It is strictly prohibited to take expired medication.

Contraindications for taking milk thistle

Contraindications include:

Disorders in the nervous system.
Mental illnesses.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Lactation.
Pregnancy.
Increased amount of phosphorus and calcium in the body.
Side effects may occur: allergic reaction, itching, headaches, shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea. In this case, you must immediately stop using the herb.

It is advisable to visit a doctor to adjust the treatment.

Milk thistle herbs have minimal contraindications, but their medicinal properties are very effective. It will help you get rid of excess weight, improve your health and the condition of your internal organs.

Benefits for women

Milk thistle is used to relieve symptoms and suppress inflammatory gynecological diseases such as vaginitis, colpitis and uterine erosion. For douching, a decoction of the plant is used. Douching should be done 2 times a day. Tampons are soaked in oil and inserted into the vagina.

Women prone to stress and depression are recommended to use seed powder. It should be added 1 tsp. in food during meals. As prescribed by a doctor, milk thistle oil and decoction are used to stabilize a woman’s condition during the postpartum period.

Safety when taking

Milk thistle is a plant that has purple flowers and spines. Its use is considered completely safe. After various experiments, side effects occurred in only one percent of the subjects.

The following categories need to be careful when consuming:

Pregnant women, since there is not enough information about the behavior of the plant in this case.
People who are prone to allergic reactions to plants.
For those with diabetes, the drug can greatly reduce the amount of sugar in the blood.

Despite all the benefits, the medicine should be taken carefully. It is recommended to first consult a doctor.

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.

Chemical composition

The drug should be used for liver pathologies and for weight loss. Milk thistle seeds contain the following beneficial substances:

flavonoids;
vitamins K, B1, B5, B3, B9;
trace elements (potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, vanadium, boron, chromium and others);
antioxidants;
amino acids (isoleucine, lysine, valine, tryptophan);
enzymes;
minerals;
silymarin.

Due to the fact that milk thistle contains more than 200 substances, it is included in the list of medicines and many food supplements.

Content

1 SILK THISTLE fruit (CARDUI MARIAE FRUCTUS) 1.1 Pharmacological action
1.2 Recommendations for use in sports
1.3 Method of administration and dosage
1.4 Contraindications
1.5 Side effects
1.6 Special instructions

2 SILK THISTLE HERB (CARDUI MARIAE HERBA)

2.1 Pharmacological action

2.2 Recommendations for use in sports

2.3 Method of administration and dosage

2.4 Contraindications

2.5 Side effects

2.6 Special instructions

3 Milk thistle for weight loss

3.1 Reviews

What medicinal properties and contraindications does milk thistle herb have?