Milk Thistle – The #1 Liver Tonic Herb
Now Available as a Spagyrically Prepared Tincture
Milk Thistle, Silybum marianum, has been used herbally for centuries principally as a liver tonic. It was praised by Romans such as Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides.
It contains active ingredients called silymarin (sometimes spelled silimarin) which is the name given to a group of flavonolignans including silibin A, silibin B, taxifolin, isosilibin A, isosilibin B, silichristine, silidianin, quercitan and more. The amount it contains comes from the milk of the thistle plant.
These act as powerful antioxidants* which helps support and modulate inflammation and many signaling pathways.*
Its action in support of the liver and the rest of the body occurs through a number of methods including:
- Reducing oxidative stress*
- Improving insulin resistance*
- Decreasing liver fat accumulation*
- Helping mitochondrial functioning*
A Strong Anti-Toxin?
The compounds in Milk Thistle have shown actions “against different biological (mycotoxins, snake venoms, and bacterial toxins) and chemical (metals, fluoride, pesticides, cardiotoxic, neurotoxic, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic agents) poisons” in research.
Milk Thistle has chelating abilities.* Here’s one view on just how helpful Milk Thistle can be in this…
Amanita phalloides, better known as Death Caps, are a deadly poisonous mushroom. Another is Amanita virosa or the Destroying Angel. Some anecdotal stories reported that Milk Thistle could help mitigate the liver destruction these mushrooms’ amatoxins caused after ingestion.* Recent research also shows that silibinin can help and has even been approved for use in Europe.* You can read more about that here and here.
Milk Thistle was more efficacious in saving lives than the drugs they were previously using… I think that says a lot about the proven power of this herb!
Roman doctor Dioscorides also used it for poisonous snake bites.
Milk Thistle’s Other Benefits
Milk Thistle is also a galactagogue, assisting in milk production for mothers.* Traditionally it has been used to relieve menstrual cramps and even lessen depression.* More on that here.
It is an alternative that helps to cleanse the blood, and some research also shows antifibrotic capabilities.* It’s often considered useful for “spring cleaning” and detoxing.*
Milk Thistle is cooling energetically.
Quality and Processing
Our Milk Thistle seeds used in this tincture come from Croatia and are USDA-certified organic.
The seeds were tinctured for over six weeks in a menstruum made with:
- Organic Cane Alcohol 40% ABV
- Filtered Fresh Spring Water
After pressing the seeds, they’re calcined and ground down into a fine, then further extracted with distilled water and a gentle evaporation process until crystals are formed. These purified “salts” are added back into the tincture to finish the process.
The taste is sweet and bitter. Overall it is mild compared to some other herbs.
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage is one dropper daily. This comes in a one-fluid-ounce bottle, so there are about 40 droppers per bottle. At the recommended dose a bottle will last about 40 days.
This dose is just a starting point. You can modify the dose up or down as you best see fit.
Contraindications
The frequency and intensity of any adverse events is low, comparable to placebo. Milk thistle is safe and well tolerated.
Milk Thistle is not tested in pregnant women. Some people may be allergic to it if they are allergic to plants in the aster family.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.