Meet Milk Thistle: The Science-Backed Herb Your Liver Will Love
When it comes to natural remedies for liver health, few herbs are as celebrated—or as studied—as milk thistle. Used for centuries in traditional medicine and now backed by modern research, milk thistle contains a powerful compound called silymarin that’s known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective properties. From supporting detox pathways to preventing kidney stones, this spiky plant has earned its place as a top herbal remedy. Whether you are seeking extra support for cardiovascular health, managing blood sugar levels, or simply looking to give your liver a little extra love, milk thistle is a mighty, all-natural herbal medicine worth exploring.
Basic Identification
Also known as blessed milk thistle, blessed thistle, Mary thistle, Saint Mary’s thistle, variegated thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, and Scotch thistle — this annual or biennial plant that can grow between 2 to 6 feet (0.6 to 1.8 meters) tall. The oblong shiny green leaves are hairless and have a distinctive white marbling and the stems have prickly clusters of spines. The reddish-purple flowers bloom in June through August and measure 1 to 5 inches (2.5 cm to 12.5 cm) across.
Where Does It Grow? Commonly found throughout North America and around the world, milk thistle prefers a warm climate to thrive.
Harvesting
Milk thistle can be a bit prickly, so be sure to wear heavy gloves and protective clothing while harvesting. Use scissors to snip off young flower heads and tender leaves directly from the stalk. To collect the seeds, cut off the seed heads and place them in a paper bag. Let dry in a cool, dry spot for several days. When ready, gently remove the seeds by hand and brush off any remaining debris. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
Edible Uses
The roots of milk thistle can be eaten raw, boiled, parboiled, or roasted — while the young shoots in springtime can be boiled like spinach. To reduce bitterness, the stems can be peeled and soaked overnight before cooking. The spiny bracts on the flowerhead are edible like a globe artichoke — simply boil or steam until tender.
Recipes. Milk Thistle Tea: Crush or grind one teaspoon of milk thistle seeds. Add one cup of boiling water and let the tea steep until it cools to a lukewarm temperature.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves and seeds are medicinal. The seeds can be eaten raw, while both the seeds and leaves can be prepared as a tea or tinctured. The seeds can also be ground and put into capsules. The bioactive compound — silymarin — is only found in the seeds. For a tincture to promote liver health, I use a combination of milk thistle seeds and dandelion root. A potent, ready-made Liver Blend Tincture formulated with both these herbs, along with schisandra can be found in my apothecary.
Here are my top 3 uses for milk thistle:
Detoxification and regeneration of the liver. My number one use for milk thistle is to promote liver health and detoxification. It is an outstanding herb for reducing or even reversing liver damage caused by environmental toxins, disease, chemotherapy agents, and drug or alcohol abuse. Milk thistle helps to dramatically improve liver regeneration in hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver syndrome, and jaundice.
Improves cardiovascular health. Milk thistle helps to promote heart health by lowering high cholesterol by cleansing the blood, reducing inflammation, and acting as a powerful antioxidant that counteracts oxidative damage within the arteries. Milk thistle is an outstanding herbal remedy for lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in individuals with diabetes and heart disease.
Balances blood sugar levels. Since blood sugar management is closely tied to the health of the liver, milk thistle helps to control blood sugar levels in those with insulin resistance. Use it regularly and consistently for best results.
But that’s not all. In my book, The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine, I’ve compiled over 8 medicinal uses for milk thistle. It also includes detailed harvesting advice for this herb and many other easy to find plants. What’s more, I provide instructions for how to make tinctures, extracts, oil infusions, salves, and more right in your own home. With this book in hand, you’ll feel confident turning to nature’s medicine cabinet—one remedy at a time.
Live in Europe? Your copy can be found HERE.
Safety
Pregnant women should avoid using milk thistle. Women with estrogen-related conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and ovarian, breast, or uterine cancers should also refrain from using milk thistle. Additionally, individuals with allergies to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family should avoid milk thistle.
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Nicole Apelian
Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post
Liver Blend Tincture
