What is a thistle pill?

One of the active ingredients in milk thistle called silymarin is extracted from the plant’s seeds. Silymarin is believed to have antioxidant properties. Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid extract. People mainly use the supplement to treat liver conditions.

What are the medicinal properties of thistle?

Here are 7 science-based benefits of milk thistle.

  • Milk Thistle Protects Your Liver.
  • It May Help Prevent Age-Related Decline in Brain Function.
  • Milk Thistle Could Protect Your Bones.
  • It May Improve Cancer Treatment.
  • It Can Boost Breast Milk Production.
  • It Could Help Treat Acne.

What is milk thistle tablets good for?

Milk thistle is taken by mouth most often for liver disorders, including liver damage caused by chemicals, alcohol, and chemotherapy, as well as liver damage caused by Amanita mushroom poisoning, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis.

What is thistle seed used for?

People have traditionally used milk thistle for problems with the liver and gallbladder . Experts believe silymarin is the primary active ingredient of the herb. Silymarin is an antioxidant compound taken from milk thistle seeds.

What part of milk thistle is used for medicine?

Milk thistle gets its name from the milky sap that comes out of the leaves when they are broken. The leaves also have unique white markings that, according to legend, were the Virgin Mary’s milk. The above ground parts and seeds are used to make medicine. The seeds are more commonly used.

What is the best form of milk thistle to take?

The Best Milk Thistle Supplements

  • Best Overall. Puritan’s Pride Milk Thistle. Affordable Six Month Supply.
  • Best Antioxidant Formula. Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle.
  • Strongest Dose. Fresh Nutrition Milk Thistle Capsules.
  • Best for Liver Health. FarmHaven Milk Thistle Capsules.
  • Most Trusted. Nature’s Bounty Milk Thistle Capsules.

What is thistle tea good for?

Milk thistle tea is made from an herb with milky, white-veined leaves. It has many purported benefits, including protecting the liver, stimulating breast milk production, and helping with diabetes management.

Can you eat thistle?

You can eat all parts of thistle – root, stem, leaves, flowers, seeds. My boys used to enjoy taking a tall thistle, and with their pen knives on a walk, they would strip it down to just the stem. You can then choose to peel the skin of the stem or eat it as is.

Are milk thistle tablets good for your liver?

Medical research on milk thistle and liver health has led to mixed results. Studies show that silymarin may help ease inflammation and promote cell repair. This may help ease symptoms from liver diseases like jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.

What is milk thistle side effects?

Side effects of milk thistle include:

  • Abdominal bloating/pain.
  • Allergic reactions.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Gas.
  • Indigestion.
  • Itching.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea.

How does milk thistle look like?

Milk thistle is a large and highly distinctive thistle, with white marbling on the shiny green leaves. Flowerheads are bright magenta or purple, with thick, fleshy, spine-tipped bracts protruding around the base off the flowerhead. Leaves, stems and flowers are all armed with stiff, sharp spines.