According to legend, as Mary was
nursing the infant Jesus, some of her milk fell onto thistle
leaves, and the plant assumed a white mottling on its foliage to
honor her, a belief that clearly manifests how prized
milk thistle was as a medicinal plant. An exceptionally
safe herb, milk thistle, Carduus Marianus (not
to be confused with Holy
Thistle, Centaurea benedicta),
stimulates good breast-milk production and promotes healthy liver
gallbladder function.
Today, it is primarily the seeds
that are used medicinally. They have such a powerfully protective
and regenerative effect on liver cells that their main
constituent, silymarin, is used to treat poisoning by the very
deadly Amanita phalloides mushroom. Even
extreme cases of hepatitis and liver degeneration have shown
improvement when treated with milk-thistle seeds. A tea made with
the seeds has also been used for skin, vein and gallbladder
ailments.
Silymarin as a liver tonic
How silymarin works
Tea
For gallstones or other
gallbladder concerns, take 20-30 drops up to 3
times daily until the condition improves. To prepare the
tincture, mix ¼ cup of crushed seeds with 1¼ cups of rum in
a clean glass jar. Cover tightly and shake well. Let stand for
4-6 weeks, shaking every few days. Strain out the seeds and
bottle the liquid.
Tincture for intensive treatment
Leaf tea for aiding digestion
Compresses for varicose veins
To promote liver health
Folk Names: Marian Thistle
The Anglo-Saxons recorded the
fact that if the milk thistle was hung around a man's neck, all
snakes in his presence would begin fighting. Sources:Milk Thistle
Disclaimer:
This information is in no way intended to be a
substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical
complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care
provider.
Plant Facts
Milk thistle belongs to the
Compositae, or sunflower, family. Growing as high as 5 feet, milk
thistle has large thorny leaves with striking light-green and
white markings and bright pink flowers. A relative of the
artichoke, the herb may be eaten. The unscented seeds taste
slightly bitter and should be ground.
Origin
Milk thistle, native to southern
Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor, can grow to 5 feet in
height. The herb, with its pretty, red-violet flowers, spread to
gardens and farms in other parts of Europe and is now found
naturalized across North America's temperate areas. It is often
found in fallow and disturbed soil areas. It prefers warm, dry
soil and full sunlight.
Parts Used
Milk thistle seeds, the only
plant part used for medicinal purposes, are harvested near the
end of the growing season. The hairs should be removed from the
seeds before use.
Components
The flavonolignan compound
silymarin, which contains silybin, silydianin and silychristin,
is found in milk thistle seeds. It is effective against liver
cell toxins and can restore damaged liver cells. The seeds also
contain flavonoids, fatty oils, essential oil and mucilage, which
support the actions of the silymarin.
Indications
Milk thistle is used to treat
inflammatory liver ailments, especially chronic illnesses, such
as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Gallbladder ailments and related
digestive symptoms, varicose and spider veins problems in the
legs and jaundice are helped by milk thistle treatment, as well.
A silymarin injection is an antidote to poisoning from the
"death cap" mushroom, amanita.
Therapeutic Effect
The active ingredient in milk
thistle seeds is silymarin, a combination of three different
flavonoids that supports the walls of liver cells, preventing
poisons from penetrating them. It also stimulates the
regeneration of these cells. Bitter principles and amino acids
help support the entire digestive system.
People with acute liver problems
should follow a six-week treatment with tea made from milk
thistle seeds (below, in healing tea mixtures) several times a
year. This tea treatment program is often recommended for people
with liver damage caused by excess alcohol intake and
cirrhosis.
Silymarin helps prevent liver
poisoning in two ways. It changes the liver cell walls in such a
way that it is very difficult for poisons, such as cabon
tetrachloride, to penetrate the walls. Silymarin also stimulates
cell division so that new liver cells will grow
continually.
Methods of Administration
For poor digestion, drink this tea 30 min.
before meals. To support blood vessel integrity for the treatment
of spider or varicose veins, drink 2-3 cups of
tea throughout the day.
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tsps. of crushed seeds. Steep
10-15 min. and strain. There is no time limit on treatment with
this tea; its use may be ongoing.
Peppermint increases the effectiveness of milk thistle tea and
improves its taste. When you make the tea, add 1 tbsp. of
peppermint leaves to the mixture.
Tincture
Nutritional Supplement
To support good liver function, eat 1 tbsp. of ground seeds
daily. In a coffee grinder or spice mill, grind seeds to add to
hot cereals, muffins, rice dishes and other whole-grain meals.
Medicinal Uses
Silymarin is only partly water soluble, so for an intensive
treatment to protect and regenerate liver cells, you should also
use a tincture made from milk thistle seeds to increase the
effect of the tea. Put 10 drops of the tincture into 1 cup of
milk thistle tea. This tincture can also be purchased in health
food stores. Caution: Because of its alcohol
content, never use the tincture if you are suffering from acute
liver inflammation or alcoholism.
You can also make therapeutic teas from the leaves of the milk
thistle. They do not contain silymarin, but they have an overall
positive effect on the liver and gallbladder, and a tea made with
them is valuable for improving digestion and for easing mild
digestive complaints. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1½ tsp.
of finely chopped leaves. Steep for 5-10 min. and then strain.
Drink 2-3 glasses per day.
The external application of the tea in a compress can help
varicose veins and open leg sores. Make the tea; cool. Soak a
cloth in the cooled tea and apply as a damp compress 1-2 times
per day.
Healing Tea Mixtures
Prepare this tea with the above herbs. It is a therapeutic
mixture that can be used over a long period of time to protect
liver cells without side effects. Drink 3 cups of the tea per
day.
For stomach complaints
This mixture eases gastrointestinal problems, such as excess gas
and upper abdominal discomfort that may be the result of liver
problems.
For venous pain and varicose veins
This mixture will constrict open leg wounds. It strengthens the
walls of the veins and seals the tissues around the wound. You
can drink the tea, or use it to make a compress.
Magickal Information
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Power: Snake Enraging
Magickal Uses
Confidentiality Statement: (for anyone who does not respect
copyright and/or is confused regarding this issue)
The information, data and schematics embodied in the document are
confidential and proprietary, being exclusively owned by Ellen J. Lord (aka Purpleflame or Firefly). This document is being supplied
on understanding that it and its contents shall not be used,
reproduced, or disclosed to others except as specifically permitted
with the prior written consent of Ellen J. Lord. The recipient of
this document, by its retention and use, agrees to protect the same
from loss, theft, or unauthorized use.
All information provided in this
article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the
following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing,
Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott
Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The
Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters
Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself
Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden,
Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A
Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home
and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D