This popular herb can be a little confusing. It has several common names, such as Milk Thistle, Marian Thistle and St Mary’s Thistle; and it has more than one scientific name, for example, Carduus marianum and Silybum marianum. To make matters worse sometimes supplements are labeled as Silymarin, which can either be a whole extract of the plant part (usually standardized to 70 to 80% Silymarin) or it could be just the Silymarin from Milk Thistle. Traditionally, it is the seed that is used for medicinal purposes.
What is Silymarin? Silymarin is a collection of flavanolignans found in Milk Thistle, most notably: Silybin, Silychristin, Silbinin, and Silydianin. These are primarily what give Milk Thistle its many health benefits.
Traditionally it has been used to protect the liver, in conditions such as hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver, pre-menstrual tension, mushroom poisoning, and detoxification. These traditional uses are now being supported in modern studies, mostly in animals, but human studies are coming out too.
What is Milk Thistle good for?
- Protecting the liver – by increasing antioxidant production such as glutathione, not only in the liver but also in the lung, stomach, skin and small bowel. It also protects against alcoholic induced liver injury.
- Cancer prevention and treatment – there are many studies demonstrating the benefits of Milk Thistle or Silymarin in the prevention or treatment of cancer, including: prostate cancer, tongue cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.
- Protects from UV radiation – topical application of silymarin has demonstrated significant protective qualities for the skin as well as preventing cancer progression. Silibinin, topically, also showed these benefits.
- Protects the kidneys – it can prevent chemical damage to the kidneys caused by the drugs paracetamol, cisplatin and vincristin.
- Diabetes – Recent research has demonstrated some surprising results for those who have diabetes or might be prone to it. It can improve glycemic control for those with type II diabetes, as well as decrease total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides. It has anti-hyperglycemic action even though it doesn’t affect insulin concentrations, and it seems to protect the pancreas
- Hormone metabolism – a study involving 40 healthy pre-menopausal women showed that while there was no substantial effect on estrogen there was a decrease in early-follicular phase androgens , demonstrating that there may be some merit to the traditional use of Milk Thistle for hormone metabolism and balance.
Now that some of the confusion about Milk Thistle and Silymarin have been cleared up, I hope that it is easier for you to determine if you too might benefit from this marvelous herb – Milk Thistle.
Elizabeth Walker CHT, RH
Elizabeth Walker is a Clinical Herbal Therapist and one of only seven Registered Herbalists in the province of Alberta, Canada. She specializes in helping motivated, action oriented people who want safe, natural and effective healthcare solutions. If you would like the references for this article email herbalist@amberleafwellness.ca
To learn more go to www.amberleafwellness.ca
User Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus