Learn How Milk Thistle Benefits Your Health

Silymarin, holy thistle, Mary thistle and Scotch thistle – this flowering herb has many names, with the most common name being milk thistle. It gets its name from the white features on its leaves and it also has a milky sap in these leaves.

The herb belongs to the same family as ragweed and daisy and it is prevalent in the Mediterranean region.

Milk thistle benefits for health have been traced all the way back 2,000 years. The Ancient Greeks, Egyptians and people in the Middle East have sworn to its name and there is even some evidence that it has been used as far away as China over 2,000 years ago. Let’s look into the health benefits of milk thistle a bit closer.

Liver detoxification and treatment

One of the greatest milk thistle benefits is in relation to cleaning the liver of toxins and helping with various liver conditions. Milk thistle is rich in antioxidants and a study published in 2008 in the journal of Food Science Nutrition found that it reduces oxidative damage in the liver. Oxidative damage is present in multiple types of liver conditions and thus milk thistle will benefit all of these greatly.

The University of Montreal has also studied milk thistle for its qualities in preventing liver damage. A study conducted there in 2008 showed that milk thistle improves prevention of liver damage and helps in liver transplantation injuries.

Lowers cholesterol

Milk thistle benefits cholesterol as well, especially in lowering the ‘bad’ cholesterol LDL. A study conducted in 2006 and published in the journal of Phytotherapy Research showed that participants taking milk thistle over a four-month period had decreased LDL levels.

In the study, there were significant improvements in lowering LDL, as well as triglycerides and the total cholesterol levels. Milk thistle also helps lower your risk of cardiovascular problems, because the higher the levels of LDL in your body, the more risk you have of suffering a stroke, for example.

Controls blood sugar

Studies have also found that milk thistle benefits blood sugar control, and it is often used in diabetes management. One of the ways it does this is by improving the blood’s cholesterol levels. WebMD states on its website in an article reviewed in 2012 that milk thistle has been found to improve insulin resistance, which is important especially in type 2 diabetes.

And, in 2006, a study published in the journal of Phytotherapy Research revealed that the chemical silibin found in milk thistle helps in decreasing glucose levels in the blood. If you do have diabetes, you should discuss medication with your health professionals, but milk thistle is a good substance you can consider using.

Milk thistle benefits cancer treatment

Another of the great milk thistle benefits is its ability to help in fighting cancer cells. The chemical silibin found in milk thistle has high antioxidant potency that helps in preventing the growth of certain cancer cells. A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2007 found that silibin not only inhibited cancer cells, but it also changed their structure and enhanced the death of these cells.

Milk thistle has many proven health benefits and very few side effects. Milk thistle’s antioxidant qualities also make it a great herb to use during detoxification. It helps in boosting the immune system and keeping the body clear of bad toxins.

Milk thistle can be found in pill supplements but it can also be consumed in teas. There are also great extracts available that can be added to for example milk and then consumed.