Milk Thistle Benefits

The milk thistle has been used for centuries for various types of medications. This beautiful flower belongs to the daisy family and is as useful as it is captivating. Milk thistle is a native of Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The seeds of this plant have been used for more than two thousand years to treat liver diseases. Even now, its entire medicinal benefits have not been studied. However, various studies are being carried on to decipher the physiological effects and therapeutic properties of milk thistle. Because of its anti-oxidant properties, it is very effective in reducing the signs of aging. To learn more on the benefits of milk thistle, read the article given below.

 

Antioxidant
Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant because of the presence of the ingredient silymarin. As a result, the body is protected by cellular damage caused by free radicals. The extract of milk thistle also enhances the anti-oxidative properties of other compounds like glutathione and superoxide dismutase. 

Glutathione
The glutathione present in the milk thistle plays a major role in the detoxification of the liver. The consumption of milk thistle raises the levels of glutathione in the body by over 30%. So, it makes the liver more effective in cleansing the body by eliminating toxic substances. 

Alcohol-Related Diseases
Since, milk thistle boosts the liver, it helps in preventing the toxicity caused by alcohol consumption. Regular alcohol abuse can cause long-term liver diseases like cirrhosis, because of the destruction of liver cells. Milk thistle not only helps to repair the cells but it also regenerates them. It also blocks fibrosis, which later can lead to cirrhosis. It is used as an effective medicinal treatment for patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatitis. It has the ability to heal all kinds of liver toxicity. 

Gallstones
Milk thistle helps to treat and prevent the formation of gallstones by stimulating the bile flow in the body. 

Cancer-Fighting Properties
Milk thistle is very effective in fighting prostate cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer. It also reduces the cancerous cell growth due to the action of silibinin, which is an active compound of silymarin. Milk thistle also increases the efficiency of chemotherapy drugs. 

Insulin
For people with type 2 diabetes, it reduces the insulin resistance. It is also beneficial for people who are diabetic and also have liver cirrhosis. 

Cholesterol
Milk thistle is very effective in lowering the cholesterol level in the blood. It increases the High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), which is also known as good cholesterol. It also significantly lowers the Low Density Lipoproteins, which reduces the chances of stroke or heart attack, due to blockage of arteries. 

Mushroom Poisoning
It is used as an emergency antidote for poisoning by the Amanita mushrooms. The extract of milk thistle counteracts the toxic effects of the mushrooms within 10 minutes of ingestion. Since the mushroom poisoning leads to severe liver damage, it has been found that administering the patients with milk thistle extract, within 48 hours prevents death due to liver failure.