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By Valentina Bottoni
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Milk thistle is a valuable medicinal plant thanks to its digestive, purifying and detoxifying properties. It is especially useful for the liver in cases where we may have overindulged in food and alcohol. We’ve all been there: getting up from the table after a night of dining and drinking with that unpleasant feeling of heaviness. Not to mention, stress, which is unavoidable at such a busy time of year, also has a huge effect on our digestive system.
This is where milk thistle comes in: an herbal aid to digestion. Silybum marianum is the clinical name of the medicinal plant whose seeds have long been used to treat liver disorders and aid digestion. The “marianum” component of its Latin name is fostered through a legend: the white stripes on the leaves are lines of milk that fell while Mary was nursing Jesus. The so-called “milk thistle” also refers to the fact that the stems of the plant contain a white, viscous liquid.
The herbaceous plant, which grows in the Mediterranean basin and other similar climates, contains silymarin. Silymarin comprises a number of natural compounds called polyphenols, which possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. So much so that milk thistle has been used for centuries to treat conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and steatosis (accumulation of excess fats in organs, especially the liver). It also helps the body eliminate toxins and purify itself by stimulating metabolism and the production of bile, which breaks down fats.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has identified the use of milk thistle seeds and their derivatives in classic herbal medicines to relieve symptoms related to digestive disorders, while also supporting liver function. All in all, milk thistle has a detoxifying function, considerable if your digestion is slow. It is also the best hangover remedy.
The simplest way to get the benefits of milk thistle is to take a supplement in pill or tablet form, twice a day or as directed by your doctor. Alternatively, herbal teas, such as those adored by Margot Robbie, can be made at home by adding hot water to a teaspoon of nuts and letting it sit for about 10 minutes. You can also get ready-made infusions by combining milk thistle with other purifying botanicals such as peppermint, fennel and licorice. It’s convenient to have it at home on days when I want it.
It is evident that milk thistle is not recommended for other people who are allergic to the plant and its components. It also deserves to be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there is no adequate knowledge about the protection of its use during those periods.
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