Marian thistle, Mary thistle, St Mary’s thistle, Our Lady’s thistle, Holy thistle, Sow thistle, Blessed Virgin thistle, Christ’s crown, Venue thistle, Heal thistle, Variegated Thistle, Wild Artichoke, Carduus Marianus, Silybum marianum, Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is an herbal remedy derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum. The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as silymarin. The silymarin extracted from milk thistle is known to have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Origin: Plant Based
  • Source: Itself
  • Type: Herbs, Roots & Barks
  • Age Range: Adults
  • Toxicity: There is no evidence of toxicity until now
  • Outcomes: Specific Conditions, Women’s Health, Blood Sugar Control, Lactation

What are Milk Thistle benefits?

Milk Thistle, also known as St. Mary’s thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle, and scientifically known as Silybum marianum, is a purple plant native to the Mediterranean and is part of the Asteraceae family. The name of the milk thistle comes from the milky white veins on the leaves and the white sap they produce when broken. It is worth noting that the main benefit of milk-thistle use is associated with treating liver and gallbladder problems. However, research has also explored its potential for protection against neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Table of relations

Outcome
Sub-Outcome
Consistent effects
Strength of effects
Scientific articles
Specific Conditions Specific Conditions
Blood Sugar Control
See All 6 studies

Specific Conditions Milk Thistle and Specific Conditions

Specific body conditions categorize precise areas of our body, such as: Respiratory allergies; Liver; Eye health; Blood pressure; Cholesterol and triglycerides; and Blood glucose control. These areas require specific attention because they are delicate functions related to other parts of the body. Respiratory allergies, for example, are linked to the immune system, and to present an effective nutraceutical, we keep our scientific base up to date.

  • Blood Sugar Control

    The body's cells use glucose to produce energy. Glucose comes from food and is stored in the body in the form of glycogen (in the muscles and liver) or circulating glucose (in the blood). Cells need the hormone Insulin to capture glucose molecules. The glucose / insulin balance in the blood is essential for the proper functioning of the body's whole metabolism. A change in this metabolism can lead to serious physiological dysfunctions, leading to the development of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. There are several classes of compounds that influence this metabolism, these can increase insulin synthesis and secretion, decrease blood glucose levels, reduce the immediate absorption of carbohydrates, regulate the sensitivity of cells to insulin, among others.

Women's Health Milk Thistle and Women's Health

The female body has specific physiological processes involving sex hormones, health of the ovaries, uterus and vagina, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation and menopause. The compounds indicated for women's health assist in the synthesis and secretion of these hormones, in premenstrual and menopausal symptoms and in the protection of female sexual organs.

  • Lactation

    Breast milk is the best food in the world, because it is rich in nutritional substances and plays a fundamental role in the first months of a baby's life. Because of its importance, it is indispensable that the mother has a balanced diet because 50% of the ingested vitamins will be passed on to the milk. With this high number in mind, supplementation for lactating women has the function of maintaining all the necessary substances in their bodies in a healthy and practical way, optimizing the breastfeeding process while taking care of the mother's body.

Table of negative interactions

Drugs
Deferiprone, Indinavir, Raloxifene, Simeprevir

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