Milk Thistle Extract

Overview

Milk thistle has been revered for thousands of years as an effective healing herb. However, early on all parts of the plant were used for a variety of purposes. The leaves were extensively utilized and often eaten as a vegetable.

Milk thistle supports the liver's natural detoxification process.*

Herbal Actions

cholagogic and choleretic, tonic,¹¹ galactogogue, hepatoprotective,⁹ alterative¹⁰

Constituents

The seed contains flavone lignans (which comprise silymarin and contains silybin, silychristin, and silidianin), fixed oil (mostly linoleic acid, but also has oleic and palmitic acid) protein, tocopherol, sterols such as cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol, and some mucilage.²

Precautions

Specific: Milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae (Ragweed) plant family.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

References

1. United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Accessed on November 24, 2014.
2. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.
3. Foster, S. Herbal Renaissance. Utah: Peregine Smith Books; 1984.
4. Weeds. Milk Thistle. A Pacific Northwest Extension Publication. Washington, Idaho, Oregon. Accessed on February 26, 2015.
5. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. Accessed at http://botanical.com/botanical on Februrary 26, 2015.
6. Global Healing Center. Natural Health and Organic Living. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/organic-herbs/growing-milk-thistle
7. Moore, M. Silybum marianum. 1994. Accessed at: Henriette's Herbal at http://www.henriettes-herb.com/archives/best/1994/silybum.html on February 26, 2015.
8. Cunningham, S. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Woodbury: Llewellyn Publications; 2000.
9. Khan, I. A., & Abourashed, E. A. (2011). Leung's encyclopedia of common natural ingredients: used in food, drugs and cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons.
10. Culpeper N. Culpeper's complete herbal: a book of natural remedies for ancient ills. Accessed at: http://www.completeherbal.com/culpepper/ on February 26, 2015.
11. Blumenthal, M. (2003). The ABC clinical guide to herbs. American Botanical Council. Accessed on February 26, 2015.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
For educational purposes only.