Milk thistle: benefits, harm, contraindications

In official and traditional medicine, a lot of attention is paid to milk thistle. It is used for various diseases, poisoning, etc. In the article, we will consider in detail the medicinal properties of the flower and its application in various fields.

Milk thistle benefits

Milk thistle flowers and fruits are high in vitamins, flavonoids, antioxidants, enzymes and minerals.

Thanks to the healing properties of the plant, the following diseases are cured:

• With constant use, it prevents liver pathology from frequent alcohol consumption and overeating.
• Strengthens the membranes of hepatocytes, i.e. liver cells.
• Relieves toxicosis in pregnant women.
• It is prescribed for preventive measures against stroke and heart attack.
• It has a positive effect on the organ system of the heart.
• Reduces fatty liver.
• Normalizes metabolic processes.
• Slows down the inflammation of the gallbladder.
• It is prescribed to restore the body after fighting malignant tumors (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.).
• Used for treatment diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, jaundice, etc.
• Well heals skin diseases - dermatitis, burns, acne, psoriasis, eczema, etc.
• Helps relieve constipation and colitis.
• Seed tincture is used for sore throat, pharyngitis, periodontal disease, stomatitis, wet chest cough.
• Relieves allergy symptoms.
• It is used for drug, alcohol and food poisoning.

Milk thistle can be used as a preventive measure. But remember: you cannot get involved in treatment. Therefore, limit yourself to one course of medication.

Milk thistle harm

People who are sick often prescribe drugs for themselves and believe they can cope without the help of someone with a medical background. But they are deeply mistaken in this, since in addition to the benefits, milk thistle can also cause harm. Therefore, a specialist consultation is required, because trying to cure one disease, you will have to treat another. Agree that this is an undesirable consequence of self-medication.

With great care, milk thistle is prescribed for the following diseases:

• gallstone disease - can cause movement of stones;
• heart rhythm disturbance - causes an increased heart rate;
• bronchial asthma - provokes asthma attacks.

If milk thistle has not been previously prescribed, then the doctor advises starting with small doses. This is usually 0.5 teaspoon.

At the first use, painful sensations in the liver area are considered the norm, which usually disappear the next day. But if the symptoms persist, the drug is canceled.

Individual intolerance and allergies are also possible.

Milk thistle application

Three types of medicinal product are produced:

• butter;
• meal;
• extract.

For what diseases and in what form is milk thistle prescribed:

• With excess body weight, a tincture of milk thistle fruit is used. It relieves the body of harmful substances, cleanses the intestines, and normalizes metabolism.
• In case of diabetes mellitus, seed meal is prescribed. It prevents high blood sugar and normalizes insulin production. They are used as an additional treatment.
• Milk thistle extract quickly helps the body recover from stress, childbirth, and increases the production of breast milk.
• Milk thistle oil is also used in gynecology. Helps to quickly cure vaginitis, erosion, colpitis.

For the treatment of the liver, milk thistle is included in the main composition of the following drugs:

• Carsil forte;
• Silibor;
• Legalon.

But many argue that the pills are less effective.

Milk thistle contraindications

The instructions for use indicate exceptions for which it is forbidden to drink the drug:

• mental illness;
• depression;
• epileptic seizures;
• children under 12 years of age;
• pregnancy;
• shortness of breath.

But only a doctor can decide whether to use the drug for you or not. Doses are selected individually and if there are no pronounced signs of the disease.

The medicinal properties of milk thistle

The medicinal properties of milk thistle have been known for over 500 years. Previously, people themselves collected flowers, prepared decoctions or flour from them, added oil to food. So in modern medicine, the flower is given a place of honor.

The composition of milk thistle consists of the following nutrients:

• macronutrients - calcium, iron, magnesium;
• trace elements - iodine, phosphorus, chromium, manganese;
• fat-soluble vitamins - flavolignan and quertecin;
• vitamins of group B, K, D and E;
• fatty polyunsaturated acids;
• essential oils;
• histamine and tyramine.

Milk thistle is used in the following areas of medicine:

• in hepatology - treatment of liver diseases;
• in toxicology - poisoning, intoxication, toxicosis during pregnancy, etc.;
• in cardiology - prevention of heart diseases;
• in oncology - it is prescribed after treatment with chemotherapy procedures, cleans the blood of harmful toxins;
• in endocrinology - helps to lose weight;
• in dermatology - treatment of psoriasis, eczema, acne;
• in cosmetology - improves the appearance of the skin, has an anti-inflammatory effect.

There are many recipes for dishes in which milk thistle oil is added. Occasionally, you can pamper yourself with such food. Remember that children should never take milk thistle.

How to take milk thistle

The instructions for use indicate the recommended dose - 1 teaspoon 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 35-45 days. If another course of treatment is needed, then it is prescribed with a respite of 14-21 days.

How to take milk thistle oil

To make the treatment as effective as possible, you need to find oil obtained by cold pressing. The drug obtained in this way retains a maximum of useful and medicinal properties.

As a light choleretic agent and for the prevention of liver diseases, drink 1 teaspoon of milk thistle oil 30 minutes before a meal. After that you need to drink it with warm water. The same dosage can be used for constipation. Acts gently and quickly.

For joint treatment, milk thistle oil and turmeric extract are combined. 5 g of turmeric are mixed in a teaspoon of oil and washed down with water.

To prevent diseases of the heart system, it is recommended to drink 1 teaspoon two or three times a day 15 minutes before meals. The course lasts from 30 to 60 days.

For cosmetic purposes - apply a couple of drops to a cotton pad and wipe problem areas of the skin.

For psoriasis and eczema, rub a couple of drops onto the affected areas.

For vaginitis, a swab soaked in oil is used. Keep it for no more than 30 minutes. Next, you can do douching from milk thistle extract.

Milk thistle meal

What is meal and how is it used in treatment?

Meal is a milk thistle seed powder obtained by pressing. That is, oil was first obtained from the fruit of the flower, and all that remained under the press (cake) is the meal.

Milk thistle powder is prescribed for the following problems:

• poor bowel function;
• headache;
• frequent irritability;
• fatigue;
• bad dream;
• dry and problem skin;
• violation of immunity;
• poor circulation.

This is due to the fact that the body cannot remove toxins and harmful substances on its own. After using the meal, the state of health will be restored.

Powder is prescribed for prophylactic purposes:

• If you are waiting for a big feast, then in the morning drink 1 teaspoon of the powder. Repeat the procedure the next day. This will improve the functioning of the digestive tract, intestines and increase the outflow of bile.
• The same dose is taken in the treatment of psoriasis. The course is 30 days.
• Normalization of stomach acidity. It is recommended to consume 1 teaspoon on an empty stomach three times a day.
• The use of meal prevents heart disease - stroke, heart attack, ischemia.

From a lingering cough, an infusion of milk thistle powder will help:

1. Pour half a teaspoon of meal with boiling water.
2. Insist 5 minutes.
3. Add a tablespoon of honey to the prepared solution.

Take 3-4 hours before the onset of improvement.

To strengthen the immune system - use milk thistle powder for 1 teaspoon in the morning or at night.

In case of poisoning - 1 tablespoon of powder at least 5 times a day. Drink with plenty of warm water. Relief should come within 5 hours. If there is no change, then call an ambulance.

For a hangover, use a tincture - 1 tablespoon of meal per 200 ml. water. Insist half an hour and drink.

When choosing milk thistle powder, you should follow the recommendations:

• Choose meal in transparent sachets. Thus, you can make sure that the product does not contain other impurities and is safe to use in treatment.
• Buy a powder that is deep dark in color. Medicinal properties directly depend on the season when the raw materials were collected. A large concentration of beneficial properties is found in mature seeds. Milk thistle ripens from August to September, when the fruits turn brown or dark brown. If the powder is light, then this indicates that the seeds are not ripe. This powder has no useful properties.
• The region of the producer should be located in the southern regions of the country, since the milk thistle is a thermophilic plant. In the northern regions of Russia, the flower is rare.

Milk thistle powder should be taken with caution. It stimulates the production of bile and is high in fiber. This can lead to stone movement or diarrhea.

Milk thistle oil

The use of milk thistle oil is indicated for people who have liver diseases, refuse alcohol and drugs, etc.

Oil is prescribed for the following diseases and problems:

• allergic skin diseases;
• baldness;
• burns;
• diaper rash;
• ear, throat and nose diseases;
• female diseases.

Consuming oil is also beneficial for:

• women suffering from premenstrual syndrome;
• prevention of eye diseases;
• treating anemia in varying degrees;
• treatment of the male genitourinary system.

In cosmetology, oil is used externally:

• well nourishes and moisturizes the skin thanks to vitamin E;
• increases skin firmness, gives elasticity, improves complexion;
• soothes sensitive, irritated and inflamed skin;
• prevents the development of subcutaneous acne;
• protects against premature aging of the skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation;
• restores hormonal balance during menopause;
• prevents the formation of fatty layers;
• strengthens hair and nails, promotes their growth.

Milk thistle reviews

Positive patient reviews:

1. When treating the liver:

• quickly relieves pain;
• the feeling of heaviness disappears in the area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe location of the liver;
• restores cells.

2. When treating the stomach:

• helps to digest heavy food;
• normalizes the "stool";
• the feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, bloating disappears.

3. When losing weight:

• removes harmful substances from the body;
• restores hormones;
• helps to lose weight.

In the treatment of diabetes, but only as an auxiliary drug, it restores sugar levels.

For people suffering from constipation, it usually helps to loosen the "stool".

There are many reviews about the positive dynamics in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema:

• reduces itching already on the first day after application;
• peeling disappears within a week;
• full recovery within 1 month of treatment.

But there are also negative reviews. It mainly talks about individual intolerance:

• diarrhea;
• Quincke's edema;
• skin rashes.

Therefore, if you do not want such consequences, contact your doctor. He will tell you exactly whether you can take milk thistle or not.