Milk thistle for liver healthMilk thistle benefits cirrhosis, hepatitis, mushroom poisoning…A discussion of milk thistle for the liver follows. First, a brief history of milk thistle herb. Last, recommendations, doses & safety issues involving milk thistle extract. History of milk thistle use Milk thistle benefits for the liver have been known for at least 2,000 years. Ancient Greek healers used milk thistle for snakebites as well as a liver tonic. Ancient Rome also recognized its role in carrying out bile. Nicholas Culpepper, the famous British herbalist recommended milk thistle for jaundice. American physicians in the 1800’s also used milk thistle for liver problems. Currently, homeopaths still administer micro doses of milk thistle herb to treat liver problems & gallstones. Milk thistle for liver problemsParts of milk thistle seeds, collectively known as silymarin, improve liver functioning in four ways:1) They interfere with toxins infesting liver cells by effectively locking them out. Modern medicine & liver problemsModern medicine does little to address liver problems. The effects of milk thistle on liver health is one particular instance in which modern medicine’s disregard of the benefits of herbs, like milk thistle, is especially regrettable.Despite the many serious health disorders that plague the liver like cirrhosis, mushroom poisoning & hepatitis, modern medicine can merely advise caution and rest. Some conventional approaches offer symptom relief or reduced complications. So, conventional medicine only aims at stabilizing, not improving, the condition of hepatitis sufferers. It can only offer relief for cirrhosis patients. Finally, modern medicine does very little for deadly mushroom poisoning which often results in death. Milk thistle benefits several liver conditions
Hepatitis responds very well to administration of milk thistle’s active compound, silymarin. Studies show patients taking milk thistle recovered faster than those not taking milk thistle. Also, those taking milk thistle for liver functioning showed improved functioning compared to subjects not taking milk thistle.Mushroom poisoning is also quite responsive to milk thistle. Modern medicine cuts the death rate from mushroom poisoning from around 50% to around 40%. Some studies have shown silymarin in milk thistle benefits include cutting the death rate from mushroom poisoning to zero! Cirrhosis also seems to respond much better to milk thistle herb than to conventional medicine. Silymarin appears to reduce associated liver enzymes resulting in a normalization of liver functioning. Studies also show milk thistle to reduce the death rate from cirrhosis in half. Many drugs, including acetaminophen, antibiotics, antipsychotics & antidepressants, can damage the liver. One study found that the silymarin in milk thistle extract significantly reduced damage from various drugs. Another benefit of herbal silymarin includes reducing toxin damage from long term exposure to industrial contaminants also appears to be decreased as determined from improved liver functioning of affected patients. Milk thistle dosages & recommendationsThe important healing compound in milk thistle is silymarin.Unfortunately, wild milk thistle, decoctions & infusions do not provide milk thistle benefits outlined above. Perhaps, it is worth consuming milk thistle seeds, leaves, decoctions or infusions as preventive. They may also add to the benefits of standardized milk thistle doses. Milk thistle leaves are especially popular in Europe. Use young leaves, raw, in salads. More mature leaves & stalks can be lightly steamed. However, studies showing positive effects of milk thistle herb, generally used approximately 800 mgs of milk thistle extract containing 70% silymarin. Take tincture of milk thistle or capsules in divided doses equal to 800 - 1,000 mgs of product. In fact, for a few days, it may be advisable to use slightly more milk thistle extract to saturate your body & then cutting back to suggested dosages. Milk thistle safety
One of the benefits of herbs is few to no side effects. Milk thistle is generally considered safe to take for most users. However, pregnant or nursing women should not take milk thistle. Rare side effects include minor stomach cramping, loose stools & allergic reaction. If you have any concerns about milk thistle or any other herb try the following regimen. Start with ¼ dose. Next day take ½ dose. Move to ¾ dose on the 3rd day & fill dose the 4th day. You may wish to take 1.5 or 2x dose for a few days to saturate your system before cutting back to the recommended dosage.
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