Plant Profile: Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle

(Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus)

Family: COMPOSITAE

Energetics: Cooling. Moistening.

Taste: Bitter. Sweet

Tissue States: Hot. Dry. 

Systems Affected: Liver. Gallbladder. Spleen.

Parts Used: Seed

Key Components: Flavones (Silybin, Silydianin, Silychristin). Volatile oils. Bitter principles. Mucilage.

Preparations & dosage: Tincture.

Actions: 
Foundational: Bitter. Demulcent.
Primary: Cholagogue. Galactogogue. 
Secondary:

Uses:

Helps promote milk production & secretion in nursing mothers. 

Excellent choice for when the liver has a toxin overload. 

Increases secretion and flow of bile from the gallbladder and liver. 

Excellent for all problems involving gallbladder. 

Protects and helps to regenerate the liver against even the strongest liver toxins. Even effective against cirrhosis, necroses, hepatitis A & B and also reduces fat deposits in the liver. 

Inhibits the growth of certain cancer cell lines as well as exhibiting cytotoxic activity on them. When combined with certain traditional cancer treatment therapies it has been shown to increase the efficacy of them.  

Combines well with: 

Identifying: 

Growing:

Harvesting: Cut the mature seed heads. Hang upside down in a dry place in a paper bag. Wait a few days and tap the heads. The seeds should fall into the bag. 

Contraindications: 

Sources:

The Complete Herbs Sourcebook: David Hoffman. Pg 285

The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra Pg 157-158

The Earthwise Herbal: Volume 1: Matthew Wood. Pg 465-468

Studies and Scientific Articles:

"This PDQ cancer information summary for health professionals provides comprehensive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based information about the use of milk thistle in the treatment of people with cancer." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65780/