The Milk thistle is a traditional medicinal plant with a long history.
The earliest known mentions date back to around 400 years before Christ back. In the ancient Greece was used in Symptoms of poisoning, such as snake bites. In the Middle Ages, more precisely in the 16th century, was carried out by the doctor and pharmacist Nicholas Culpeper the first time a connection between milk thistle and Liver diseases manufactured.
Even the Native Americans knew how to make use of milk thistle in many ways, as would later become clear.
Although milk thistle has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times, it has only found its way into the modern scientific research found. However, this is quite extensive and intensive, especially the extract Silymarin is one of the most extensively researched active ingredients for liver disease.
More on that later.
The milk thistle prefers a mild, warm climate and nutrient-rich soils. It originally comes from southern regions, such as the Mediterranean region or North Africa, but is now widespread far beyond this region and is mainly used for pharmaceutical purposes, also grown in Central Europe or China.
2021 saw milk thistle named Medicinal Plant of the Year in Austria!
The Milk Thistle and the Death Cap Mushroom
Most often, milk thistle is associated with the Liver associated with it. We will discuss this later. What may be less well known is the fact that the active ingredient Silibinin, a single component of silymarin, highly potent against Death cap mushroom poisoning works.
Silibinin is used for liver poisoning caused by the death cap mushroom administered intravenously, to protect the liver from further damage. This liver-protective effect is on the cell membrane-stabilizing properties of silibinin. Since its introduction as a treatment for mushroom poisoning (death cap), with timely treatment, the Mortality rate decreased to 5 to 12%, previously it was 20 to 30%, according to the summary of a large-scale study. [1]
In another study, the authors reach the following conclusion: “The administration of silybin within approximately 48 hours after taking mushrooms seems to be an effective measure to prevent severe liver damage in cases of Amanita phalloides poisoning". [2]
In cases of mushroom poisoning, particularly from death cap mushrooms, there is a acute liver failure. As several studies have shown, this poisoning-induced failure can be successfully counteracted by administering silibinin.
So it's worth taking a closer look at milk thistle and its potential effects on the liver.
The Liver - Milk Thistle's Domain
When we talk about the liver, the word immediately comes to mind Detoxification comes to mind. Yes, the liver is a detoxifying organ, but that's not all!
The liver is, in fact, a very large Gland with a wide range of functions, not just detoxification. It is just as much a metabolic organ and for processes such as the production of specific proteins, synthesis of fats and proteins, bile production, conversion of ammonia into urea, or storage of vitamins, iron and glucose responsible. And that is just a small selection of the liver’s many functions.
As is easy to see, the liver is not just the heaviest metabolic organ, but also one of the most important organs!
So here's a reminder:
If you suspect liver damage or liver disease, always consult a doctor! Liver health is no laughing matter!
As previously mentioned in connection with mushroom poisoning, silibinin acts stabilizing the cell membranes of liver cells.
This Cell protection could also occur in some of the typical liver diseases such as the Cirrhosis of the liver be of interest, as cytotoxins, such as alcohol, cannot enter the cells. Milk thistle could also be used for Cell regeneration contribute, as also noted in the previously mentioned studies on mushroom poisoning.
The European Umbrella Organization for Phytotherapy recommends using milk thistle for the following conditions:
- toxic liver damage like those caused by alcohol or other toxins
- to the Support for chronic liver inflammation
That too Herbal Medicinal Product Committee, an expert committee of the European Medicines Agency, has endorsed the use of milk thistle fruits as traditional medicinal product to support liver function recognized.
This means that there are not yet enough studies, but the Effect is plausible und has been for at least Safely used for 30 years.
Another interesting occurrence observed when taking silymarin is the Increase in glutathione in liver tissue. [3]
Glutathione is a substance produced in the liver Antioxidant, which protects cells from oxidative stress, in other words, protects against cell damage.
A typical situation in which glutathione occurs in its reduced or oxidized form is during the Metabolism of paracetamol. In addition, the metabolized active ingredient in paracetamol also hepatotoxic (toxic to liver cells) is and can damage liver cells.
Let's summarize the key features that the Silymarin, that is, milk thistle extract, are attributed in relation to the liver.
1. Silymarin has been shown to help prevent certain toxins from entering cells.
2. Silymarin can help increase levels of glutathione, an important antioxidant, and thereby protect cells from oxidative stress.
3. Based on the studies mentioned, silymarin also appears to stimulate the regeneration of damaged cells. This could be due to increased protein production.
Despite limited preclinical and clinical research, milk thistle is frequently used to treat chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity used. Treatment options for chemotherapy-induced liver toxicity are limited. Therefore, the “American Cancer Society” a clinical study was conducted on the use of milk thistle to treat liver toxicity in children. Here, too, the results were promising: In children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and liver toxicity, milk thistle was associated with a Trend toward a significant reduction in liver toxicity connected. [4]
The Versatility of Milk Thistle
There are other interesting connections that have been observed with milk thistle.
Positive effects were observed in Gastrointestinal symptoms observed. That's why milk thistle is also often used for Abdominal pain, bloating, functional dyspepsia, nausea or a feeling of fullness used. Interestingly, milk thistle is also regularly found here in medicines wieder.
Also the Immune system seems to benefit from milk thistle. Given its effect on cell protection, this is quite understandable.
Positive effects have also been observed on the Skin observed. Particularly with dry skin, eczema or acne. This would also be plausible given the support for the liver and its metabolic processes.
Our Verdict
Even though further studies are needed to make evidence-based statements about the effects of milk thistle, there are indications multiple studies as well as expert panels on the plausibility of the mechanism of action there.
The active ingredient Silymarin or silibinin is not only very popular in traditional medicine, but is also used in medicines used in modern medicine used. This also applies to medicines in connection with Stomach and intestinal discomfort to.
A good, practical option for supporting liver health!
Here you'll find a Milk Thistle Extract Without Additives, pure nature and high potency:
We have combined milk thistle with other very interesting active ingredients. Here you can find our Milk Thistle Complex:
You'd like to learn more about the topic Liver get informed, share your experiences, and perhaps pick up a tip or two? Then you've come to the right place in our Group welcome! We discuss, explore, and find solutions to your questions!
