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Health Benefits of Milk Thistle

1/12/2015

 
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Milk thistle is an herb that is sometimes used as a natural remedy to help liver and heart functioning.

Milk thistle is a flowering purplish colored flower that grows to approximately five foot tall. The herb is related to the daisy and ragweed family.  If you are allergic to ragweed this herb is not for you. The plant was taken from Europe in the middle ages to Asia and became part of Chinese medicine. The part of the plant most commonly used are the seeds. Research suggests that the liver-protecting effect of milk thistle is due to a group of flavonoids known as silymarin, which is both an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant.   Silymarin is also the antidote for poisoning caused by  the death cap mushroom.   Other names milk thistle is called by: Legalon, St. Mary’s Thistle, Our Lady’s Thistle and Holy Thistle.

The liver is a very important organ, the primary role is to assist in digestion. It not only produces bile and hormones it also protects our system from poisonous materials circulating in our body. By removing impurities from our blood the immune system doesn’t have to work as hard keeping us healthy.  Milk thistle helps cleanse and improve the health of the liver by flushing toxins built up in our body, caused by bad diet, alcohol, and toxic chemicals. Milk thistle helps protect the liver of people who have been exposed to pesticides, heavy metals, and radiation drugs.

Milk thistle aids the kidneys, reducing the chance of kidney stones developing.  It improves the health of our gallbladder, adrenals, and inflammation of the bowels.  It soothes the stomach acid, stimulates weak digestion, and  also eases gas. It is even used to reduce the symptoms of hangovers!

The medical/scientific community has ongoing studies of milk thistle. There is some evidence, though it is not conclusive, that it may offer some benefits in the following areas:                                                                                                                                           
  • Improvement of heart health by lowering cholesterol levels
  • Helping  people with type 2 diabetes (Caution: Certain chemicals in milk thistle might lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Dosing adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.)
  • Reduces growth of cancer cells in the breast,  cervical and prostate cancers

I would like to share one more thing about milk thistle that I read while taking my Family Herbalist class. The late Michael Moore an herbalist from the southwest wrote this, “Milk thistle is like doing a routine maintenance on your furnace, blowing out the vents, changing the filters and cooling down your overheated thermostat.”  Milk thistle is like offering periodic maintenance to your body. You may read in more from Michael in Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West.

You can purchase milk thistle at any health food store or purchase it from Nature’s Sunshine (for $24.95) which is where I purchase many of my herbs and supplements.

Milk thistle can give you many health benefits. However, before using any herb consult with your doctor first, as they may interfere with the medications you are taking.

To Your Health!
Gail Grieger



Reducing Inflammation for Optimal Health

3/26/2014

 
Inflammation can cause very serious problems such as:

bad memory, depression, obesity, diabetes, infection, injury, cardio vascular disease, eye disorders, asthma, allergies, joint pain, colon, breast cancers, ulcerative colitis,  and inflammatory bowel disease. 

But here’s the good news! Some foods are great at reducing and preventing inflammation. Use these foods below in smoothies, soups, and salads:
alfalfa

alfalfa grass

almonds

almond butter

artichokes

avocado

barley grass

basil

bee pollen

bell peppers

boy choy

brussel sprouts

buckwheat

cabbage

caraway seeds

carrots

cauliflower

cayenne pepper

celery

cherries
chives

cilantro

cucumber

cumin seeds

egg plant

endive

fennel seeds

garlic-fresh

ginger-fresh

green cabbage

jicama

kale

kamut

leakes

lemon-fresh

lentils

lettuce

lime-fresh

mustard green

navy beans
onion

oregano

parsnips

peas-fresh

red cabbage

rutabaga

savory cabbage

sea vegetables

sesame seeds

spelt

spinach

sprouted seeds

squash

sweet potatoes

tomatoes

turnips

wheat grass

white radish

yam

zucchini
Incorporating these foods will add vitality and longevity to your life. So, here’s to your health and well being!

To print a PDF of this article, click here.

    Welcome to my Blog!

    Thanks for checking out my blog. I have had a life-long interest in all things related to health and wellness, which is part of the reason I became a massage therapist. I am constantly on a mission to increase my knowledge and I like to share what I learn with others. My hope is that these posts will be interesting and provide you with information and tips that can improve your health. If I can ever answer a question or if you think you might benefit from therapeutic massage, please give me a call or send me a note.

    Gail Grieger, CMT, CFH

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