Milk Thistle 80% Silymarin

Botanical:  Silybum marianum
Family: Compositae (daisy) - Asteraceae (aster)

Other common names: Mary Thistle, Wild Artichoke, Silybum, Marian Thistle, St. Mary's Thistle, Lady Thistle, Holy Thistle

Milk Thistle is a unique herb which contains a natural compound called silymarin, and silymarin nourishes the liver like no other nutrient currently known. The liver acts as the body's filter, constantly cleansing it to protect you from toxins.  Over time, these toxins can accumulate in the liver, and Milk Thistle's potent antioxidant properties and rejuvenating actions help keep the liver strong and healthy.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Viable Herbal Solutions is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History and Uses:
Milk Thistle is native to the Mediterranean region and grows wild throughout Europe, North America and Australia.  This plant is called Milk Thistle because the leaves of the plant have white veins that look as if milk were spilled upon them, which, according to legend, is the milk of the Virgin Mary.  Early Christian tradition dedicated Milk Thistle to Mary, calling it Marian Thistle.  Dioscorides wrote that Milk Thistle seeds could be used to treat snake bites, and the herb has been used in Europe as a remedy for liver problems for thousands of years.  Its use was recorded in the first century (A.D. 23-79), noting that the plant was excellent for protecting the liver.   In the nineteenth century, the Eclectics used the herb for varicose veins, menstrual difficulty and congestion in the liver, spleen and kidneys.  The seeds were consumed by European wet nurses to ensure a healthy milk supply, and the heads of this thistle formerly were eaten, boiled and treated like those of the Artichoke. Milk Thistle seeds help to stimulate protein synthesis in the liver.  They are even thought to help reverse the damage done from eating poisonous mushrooms, such as Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) or from carbon tetrachloride, both of which destroy liver cells and usually cause death.  When Milk Thistle seeds are used within forty-eight hours, the survival rate is said to be almost 100%.  When fed to animals that had partial hepatectomies, their livers grew back more quickly.  Milk Thistle is thought to be a helpful supplement to use to protect the liver when needing to take pharmaceutical drugs.  Primary chemical constituents of Milk Thistle include flavolignans (silymarin), tyramine, histamine, gamma linoleic acid, essential oil, mucilage and bitter principle.  The dried fruit of Milk Thistle contains the flavonoid complex known as silymarin, the constituent responsible for the medical benefits of the plant.  Milk Thistle can be used to increase the secretion and flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder.  Its traditional use as a liver tonic has been supported by research showing that it contains constituents that protect liver cells from chemical damage.  Historically, this herb has been used in Europe as a liver tonic, and current phytotherapy indicates its use in a whole range of liver and gallbladder conditions, including hepatitis and cirrhosis.  It may also have value in the treatment of chronic uterine problems.  A wealth of research done in Germany is revealing exciting data about reversal of toxic liver damage, as well as protection from potential hepato-toxic agents.  The mechanism of action of silymarin is becoming well understood, providing insights into the metabolic basis of this herb's activity.  As its name implies, it promotes milk secretion and has been used by breast feeding mothers.  Milk Thistle is also believed to be an antioxidant that is more potent than vitamins C and E.

Recommended Dosage:
Take one (1) capsule, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:

Currently, there are no warnings of contraindications with the use of Milk Thistle; however, the herb may reduce the efficacy of birth control pills and medicine to treat infection (Metronidazole, erythromycin, etc.).  It is essential that people with diabetes and liver disease should have regular blood tests.  There have been rare reports of diarrhea and nausea.

Capsule Information:
Our Milk Thistle supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules. (click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.