Milk thistle - medicinal properties and contraindications

Milk thistle is a unique plant creation of nature. In the realm of medicinal herbs used by traditional medicine, it occupies far from the last place. Its use for the liver is recognized by official medicine.

It grows in the form of lilac flowers and is well known to almost every person. But many perceive it as a simple weed and remove it from their plots. I must say that they do it in vain. After all, this plant can serve as a good gift for a person in terms of his health.

For therapeutic purposes, the seeds of the plant are used. They are part of various medications. In addition, for the purpose of prevention and therapeutic correction, the use of flowers is also carried out.

Botanical certificate

The plant is Asteraceae, a member of the Astrov family. In height, it can reach 1.5 meters. The leaves are large, have an ellipsoidal shape. On their surface there are spots or stripes. The plant has purple flowers with various shades. It begins to bloom from the middle of summer and continues to do so until its end, capturing even the beginning of autumn. The fruit is represented by an achene with a crest.

Chemical composition

Nature clearly did not deprive the thistle with chemicals, introducing them into the composition of the plant. It is very rich in fatty oil. Its content can reach 30%. I must say that it is actively used not only by medicine, but also by the food industry. In the plant, a wide range of substances from the group of flavonoids are presented. In large quantities, lignans are represented in it. Their list is presented by quercetin and silicone. A number of other chemicals are also contained.

Silymarin has an antifibrotic effect, in other words, it prevents the growth of connective tissue. In addition, it is an excellent antioxidant. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. The mechanism of its action is based on the following processes:

1. It acts as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. This prevents the occurrence of processes in which the membrane of the liver cells is destroyed. In addition, free radicals formed in hepatocytes are eliminated, and the formation of new complexes is inhibited.
2. RNA polymerase activation. This contributes to the activation of regenerative tissue processes. At an accelerated rate, phospholipids and proteins in damaged cellular structures begin to be synthesized. The membrane structure is stabilized, which leads to the preservation of cellular components.
3. Obstruction of the penetration of hepatotoxic poisons into the cell. These properties are possessed by toxic substances contained in the pale grebe. As a result of the synthesis of prostaglandins, an anti-inflammatory effect is manifested.

It should be noted the extreme instability of silymarin to the action of various factors. It can be destroyed by atmospheric oxygen and when heated to temperatures above 60 degrees.

A wide variety of micronutrients is presented. A large amount contains calcium, of which 16.6 mg in it, in terms of 1 g of medicinal raw materials. A lot of magnesium, potassium, iron. As for the substances of the vitamin series, then in the plant there are representatives of almost all groups. In addition, the composition differs in the content of lipid complexes.The plant is useful for the function of blood coagulation, since it contains factor T, which has a stimulating effect on platelets.

The benefits of milk thistle

Quite a long time ago, its positive effect on the liver was noticed. Its action is manifested in the following points:

1. Regular consumption of milk thistle will manifest as a hepatoprotective effect, protecting the liver tissue from the harmful effects of alcoholic beverages and toxic substances.
2. If you take funds, which include milk thistle, the membranes of the cellular structures of the liver - hepatocytes - will strengthen.
3. The use of plants can reduce the risk associated with obesity of the liver.
4. The metabolic processes occurring in the liver tissue come in order.
5. Under the influence of this plant, the gall bladder improves its work. This is because it is better to begin to pass bile.
6. Milk thistle has an anti-inflammatory effect, leads to the elimination of inflammatory manifestations in the liver tissue.
7. Under the influence of the plant, the liver undergoes self-cleaning processes.
8. Milk thistle enhances the regenerative ability of hepatocytes.

The list of useful properties of milk thistle would be incomplete, not to mention its beneficial properties for other organs and systems of the body:

1. Thistle decoctions help pregnant women cope with early toxicosis.
2. The plant is of great preventive value in preventing the occurrence of heart attacks and stroke conditions.
3. Useful plant for diabetics, varicose veins, individuals with obesity. The presence of acquired immunodeficiency, jaundice, cirrhosis is not complete without milk thistle during its treatment.
4. Those who are shown chemotherapy for oncology should use decoctions of this plant.
5. Individuals with osteochondrosis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis in history will benefit from the use of milk thistle decoctions.
6. In dermatological practice, this plant is used quite widely. They treat many skin diseases.
7. The use of milk from milk thistle will eliminate protracted constipation, will help in the fight against colitis.
8. Milk thistle can gargle with tonsillitis, pharyngitis. She will help in the fight against cough. Gargling with the infusion of this plant will relieve stomatitis, periodontal disease.

Seeds in the form of meal and flour

Meal is represented by a substance in the form of a powder. It is obtained by squeezing the seed of a plant. This substance is very rich in fiber. It is considered an indispensable tool in the correction of conditions caused by intestinal pathology. Meal contributes to its purification and stabilization of the normal intestinal microflora.

Flour is presented as milk thistle seed powder. In this form, the plant is used if it is necessary to restore the liver. It is used in combination with vegetable derived oils. She is simply mixed with him. The result is a powerful product that has such healing properties that existing pharmaceutical preparations can envy.

However, even this wonderful plant has some limitations. It is contraindicated for pregnant women and persons under 12 years of age. The use for the treatment of gallstone disease requires prior consultation with your doctor.

Fact! The benefits of meal for the liver are obvious. But he does not do any harm to her. Therefore, it is recommended as a safe tool for daily use.

If liver function suffers, then with the help of milk thistle, this problem can be solved. This fully applies to joint pain, migraine, cardiac pathology, hemorrhoidal bleeding. To correct such conditions, daily intake of one tablespoon is sufficient.

Use flour in the culinary business. It can serve as an additive to salads, and is used for baking confectionery. But it should contain no more than 20%.Individuals with a history of chronic pathology make drinks from it. Be that as it may, a preliminary consultation with your doctor will never hurt.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that milk thistle has a fairly extensive list of indications, unfortunately, it has a number of limitations for its use. These include the following conditions:

• The presence of mental illness.
• Conditions accompanied by depression.
• Bouts of epilepsy.
• Children under 12 years old.
• Symptoms accompanied by shortness of breath.
• Pregnant women.

Reception is not prohibited, but it should be carried out with extreme caution to persons who have the following conditions:

1. Diagnosed cholelithiasis. In this case, the reception is carried out exclusively under medical supervision.
2. With a disturbed heart rhythm.
3. Persons with a history of asthma. This is due to the fact that milk thistle provokes suffocation.
4. Persons with high levels of calcium.

Cases in which individual intolerance is observed are not excluded. In this case, the plant can not be consumed in any form.

To whom is milk thistle indicated?

In order for the action of the plant to be most effective, you need to know who and how to use it. Some recommendations should be followed:

1. Decoctions of the seed of the plant are indicated for obese people. The effect is achieved due to the normalization of lipid metabolism. You can use the plant in the form of flour. This helps to eliminate toxic components. At the same time, the intestines are cleaned and its work comes in order. All this will contribute to the disappearance of extra pounds.
2. Fiber is mandatory in the diet of diabetics. Thanks to it, sugar jumps in the blood are eliminated. Meal contains just a huge amount of fiber. Therefore, for diabetics, milk thistle is a rather important product. In addition, the mineral composition of the plant promotes the synthesis of pancreatic hormone insulin.
3. With the help of a decoction of the seeds of a plant, you can successfully deal with stressful situations that haunt a person literally at every step. During lactation, this tool helps to increase the production of breast milk. Useful of seed oil for women after childbirth. As a result, a woman recovers faster.

Milk thistle is useful in the following conditions:

• alcohol intoxication;
• used in withdrawal from binge;
• is present as part of complex corrective measures in the treatment of drug addiction;
• used in the rehabilitation period after severe illness;
• used during chemotherapy sessions due to the presence of oncology;
• used as a means to enhance immunity.

Prescription Compounds

The arsenal of traditional medicine contains a lot of recipes based on milk thistle for the correction of various pathological conditions.

Those who decide to lose weight
A tablespoon of meal is dissolved in warm water with a volume of 100 ml. Shown daily intake of 2-3 times. You can use flour by adding it to cereal or by cooking pastries. In this case, you must follow the rules of good nutrition and regularly engage in physical education and sports. The load should be feasible and selected individually for each person.

Meal can be mixed with kefir, adding it in the amount of two tablespoons per glass. This mixture is drunk before bedtime. The drink can cause a feeling of fullness without additional intake of various nutrients in the body.

For chronic constipation
You will need natural yogurt or kefir. In 100 ml of the drink, dissolve the meal in the volume of one tablespoon. Shows daily use for one month.Treatment can be added by drinking two liters of pure water per day. This will help to eliminate toxins and toxins from the body.

Varicose veins
Flour is prepared from two tablespoons of the seeds of the plant. For this purpose, you can use a blender or coffee grinder. One dessert spoon is consumed one third of an hour before a meal. This should be done 4 times a day. The course is 30 days. After its completion, a break is made for two weeks. Then a repeat course is required.

Alcohol addiction
To one tablespoon of seeds, boiling water is added in a volume of 200 ml. The composition is infused a third of the hour. The use is carried out in small sips. At one time it takes 50 ml, and this is done before meals. During the day, you need to use the whole composition. The last portion is consumed at night.

Joints, trophic ulcers, purulent wound surface
Preparing tincture. Thistle in the form of seeds in the amount of four tablespoons is added to half a liter of alcohol. At one time, 25 drops of tincture are necessary. Before use, it is diluted with water in a volume of 100 ml. It should be taken until relief comes.

Pathology of the liver
For correction, flour is used. But one teaspoon is necessary. The frequency is 4-5 times a day. The course should be at least 40 days. Then a break is made for two weeks. After this, the course is repeated. Treatment can last up to 6 months. This period is enough for improvement to come.

Use in case of poisoning
If there is a symptomatology associated with poisoning, one spoonful of meal is shown every 3 hours. This is done until all symptoms have subsided.

Important! If there is a chronic pathology, before using the plant, it is necessary to get a consultation from the attending physician.

If someone started using milk thistle for the first time and felt a slight pain in the area of ​​the projection of the liver, you should not worry about this. All this fits into the framework of the norm. Usually this goes away within 2-3 days. But, if the pain does not disappear, you should consult a doctor and get advice from him.

Despite the fact that milk thistle is considered a weed, it has undeniable benefits. Its use will help put the body in order and will contribute to its healing. Nature herself took care of this, introducing a lot of necessary chemical elements into the plant. But it should not be used by anyone. Do not forget that she has certain contraindications. To achieve maximum effect, it is necessary to adhere to the dosage and medical recommendations.

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