Herbs & Botanicals

Product Description

Botanical Name: Silybum marianum

Plant Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

Botanical Description:
Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, is a biennial or annual herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean region, but it is now widely cultivated around the world for its medicinal properties. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is characterized by its tall, spiny stems, large prickly leaves, and distinctive purple flowers. Milk thistle can grow up to 1-2 meters in height and produces bright purple to pink flowers that are arranged in dense clusters at the ends of the stems. The leaves of milk thistle are glossy green with white marbling and have sharp spines along the edges. The seeds of milk thistle are small, shiny, and dark brown with white markings.

Introduction:
Milk thistle has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and the Mediterranean region. It was historically used as a liver tonic and revered for its potential hepatoprotective properties. Milk thistle seeds have been studied extensively for their ability to support liver health and protect against liver damage caused by toxins, alcohol, and other substances.

Preparations:
Seed Powder: Grind milk thistle seeds into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Milk thistle seed powder can be encapsulated for convenient consumption or mixed into smoothies, juices, or foods. Follow the dosage instructions provided on the product label or consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner for appropriate dosing.
Tincture: Prepare a milk thistle tincture by macerating crushed milk thistle seeds in alcohol (such as vodka or brandy) for several weeks. Strain the tincture and store it in a dark glass bottle. Take the tincture orally by diluting it in water or juice according to the dosage instructions provided on the product label or by a qualified herbalist.
Tea: Prepare milk thistle seed tea by steeping crushed milk thistle seeds in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the infusion and drink it. Milk thistle tea may be consumed warm or chilled and sweetened with honey if desired.