Milk Thistle ~ Silybum marianum

Milk Thistle

Latin name: Silybum marianum

Family: Asteraceae

Part used: seed

Habitat: Europe

Main constituents: flavolignans (silymarin)

Energetics: bitter

Main herbal actions: hepatoprotective, antioxidant, hepatotrophorestorative

Minor herbal actions: gastroprotective

Main medicinal uses: congestion and inflammation of the liver, spleen, and kidneys: hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis

Minor medicinal uses: weak and congested veins, pelvic congestion, prolapse of organs

Preparations: decoction: 1-2 tsp crushed seeds/cup water; 1:2.5 tincture: 20-60 gtt qd-qid, powder: 2-4 Tbs. (Khalsa)

Contraindications: unknown

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations