The milk thistle plant is native to the Mediterranean and it’s name is derived from the milky white veins on the leaves and white sap they produce. Other names for milk thistle is: Saint Mary’s Thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle.

Milk thistle is most often used for liver conditions, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, as well as, prevent or treat high cholesterol, diabetes, heartburn, upset stomach, hangover, gallbladder problems, menstrual pain, depression, milk production and even certain types of cancer.

Milk thistle is available as capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and tea. The plant’s seeds and sometimes leaves are used in these preparations. The tea has a mild taste comparable to that of dandelion tea.

It’s affect on your liver is believed to be from the silymarin extracted from the plant which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects.

How to take it

Instead of using a milk thistle supplement, you can also drink it in tea form to maximize the potential health benefits.

You can also grow your own milk thistle and make homemade tea if you’re up for harvesting the plants. Each small plant head contains about 190 seeds that can be used in various ways. If you purchase or grow a milk thistle plant, cut off the entire head and hang the plant upside down for about one week to draw out the seeds.

You can then crush the seeds and steep them, along with the leaves, to make tea, eat them raw or dry them into powder form. Keep the seeds and leaves in the freezer to make them last longer and retain their powerful nutrients.

Dosage

Because milk thistle is categorized as a supplement rather than a drug, it’s not subject to the same oversight and quality control from the FDA.

The amount of active ingredients can vary widely depending on the different preparation methods used and the brand. Most people do best consuming between 20–300 milligrams daily. If you’re taking milk thistle for the liver, the recommended daily intake of milk thistle is 150 milligrams, 1-3 times a day. Take 50 to 150 milligrams daily for ongoing liver support.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care looks at the whole body. The nervous system is encased in the spine and the nerves exit each level according to organ, muscle, and tissue innervation. Sometimes back pain is caused by needing detoxed for a particular organ. The less amount of stress you put on your body, the less likely you will have pain.

If you have any questions on how milk thistle along with any other supplements can benefit you, give us or a chiropractor near you a call.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036