I asked Ghislaine Headland-Vanni to describe for you the actions of milk thistle. What you see here is a medical herbalist view of milk thistle and how useful it is as an aid with liver health. 

Milk thistle is a thistle native to the Mediterranean but naturalised in Asia, North America and the rest of Europe.  It is part of the daisy family (Asteraceae)

It is so called because of the milky white veins running across its leaves, which resemble spilt milk.  Traditionally the leaves and roots have also been used but the part mainly used as medicine today is the seeds

The therapeutic properties of milk thistle have been appreciated for over 2000 years. In the 1st century CE, Pedanios Dioskurides, a military physician recommended the root taken with honey as a medicine for treating vomiting, and Hildegard of Bingen used it to treat pneumonia and pleurisy. In the 16th century an Italian physician called Matthioli used it for liver and kidney issues, and this has continued to be the main use of the plant to this day when scientific trials confirmed that the silymarin found in mainly in the seeds did have a protective effect on the liver

Common Uses for Milk Thistle:

Milk Thistle is used as a treatment for fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis and other inflammatory liver diseases.  It is mainly used as a hepatoprotective (liver) herb because it has been found to prevent toxins entering the liver cells and causing damage.  Due to this it is often taken before a night out on the town to help offset the negative effects of the alcohol, or after a round of chemotherapy treatments to help remove the chemical toxins from the body. It has also been found to help to rejuvenate the liver by creating new liver cells.  As such it is used to treat death cap mushrooms ingestion. Currently it is the only treatment found to have any effect and needs to be given intravenously within 48 hours.  

Some of the other ways it can be used are:

• To treat inflammation of the bile duct (cholangitis) and gallstones

• It has been found to have some ability to reduce blood cholesterol levels

• It can be taken as a laxative, especially in the treatment of haemorrhoids

• For inflamed-skin problems such as psoriasis taken internally it can help reduce some of the inflammation

• It improves the immunity by improving the function of some of our blood cells (namely neutrophils, T lymphocytes and leucocytes)

• It helps to maintain gut flora

• It helps to treat Candida albicans

• Offers protection to the kidneys from toxins and drugs

• Traditionally used to enhance the flow of breast milk in feeding mothers

At high doses it may cause vomiting, but it appears to have no side effects even with long term use.  There are no known contraindications with prescription drugs but due to there being no clinical trials caution is always advised during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

To wrap up then, this herb is an established part of a herbal apothecary and I take it as part of my daily trilogy. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9027949/

disclaimer: Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Pregnant or lactating women should consult a doctor or healthcare professional before using any natural healthcare products. If you are under medical supervision, please consult your doctor or a healthcare professional before use. Should you experience an adverse reaction to this product discontinue use immediately and consult a doctor. Keep out of sight and reach of children. Store in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight.