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Registered Medical Herbalist
Luzia Barclay
DBTh MIRCH
Tel: 01722 330663

Milkthistle - Herbs for Healing Newsletter

27-10-2012
The one and only time I ever found milkthistle growing in the wild was on a walk along the coast from Kimmeridge in the Purbeck Hills.

There were not just one or two but dozens of them.

Their prickles on the edge of the leaves are quite long and very sharp. The leaves themselves are dark green with white veins.
Milkthistle has been used as food and as medicine

Almost all parts of the plant can be eaten. The young shoots when lightly cooked taste like a delicate cabbage, the roots are similar to Salsify. Leaves and stem are edible too, also the lower part of the flower heads.

It is one the most potent plants for protecting and restoring the liver. It helps to regenerate damaged liver tissue in case of hepatitis and cirrhosis.

According S H Buhner human trials have followed about 2000 patients for up to 4years. They showed that liver function improved significantly in cases of chronic
alcoholic liver disease, toxic liver damage and type II hyperlipidemia when milkthistle was taken.

In these tests, milkthistle improved poor appetite and relieved nausea and itching, it decreased cholesterol levels and in general lead to better results in liver function tests.

Milkthistle was also shown to alleviate symptoms of bloating, abdominal pressure, constipation and aids bile flow.

It is most valuable in treating the side-effects of pharmaceutical drugs, anaesthetic medication and any kind of poisoning, and is also useful in the treatment of the skin condition psoriasis.

Much research has been done on milk thistle in Germany and the US The liver plays a central role in our health. Often it is under-appreciated for the huge range of body functions it performs.

When the liver works well, the whole of the digestive process work better with far-reaching effects on physical and mental wellbeing. This positively affects the memory and disposition.

The famous English herbalist, Gerard, stated: My opinion is that this is the best remedy that grows against all melancholy diseases.

Two recent clinical trials have found that milkthistle has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. In 2009 another double blind trial was published in Iraq which showed that treatment with milkthistle significantly reduced the participants’ blood levels of inflammatory chemicals. The liver plays a central role in our health 220 patients with painful knee osteoarthritis were tested and found that their condition improved with milkthistle

Milkthistle found to have anti-allergic & anti-inflammatory properties

The seeds are used for medicinal purposes. The seeds are very tough and contain starch, protein and oil. Fatty acid content is 20-25%. The main ones are linoleic acid and oleic acid. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid needed for the synthesis of prostaglandins.

High amounts of linoleic acid can reduce chronic inflammation in the body by increasing the synthesis of prostaglandins.

A newsletter in association with the Sturminster Newton Transition Town Group. Part of the Transition Town Network.

Download the newsletter in PDF format. If you would like a printed version in the post, or to distribute all or part of the newsletter please contact me on 01722 330663.

I run a number of workshops in the local area, book online here or email me.
Milkthistle - October 2012 Newsletter
Milthistle is one the most potent plants for protecting and restoring the liver. It helps to regenerate damaged liver tissue in case of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Much research has been done on it in Germany and the US.
Download this newsletter