Top 6 Benefits of Milk Thistle
What is Milk Thistle?
Certainly not milk, Milk Thistle, also called Silybum Marianum and Holy Thistle, it is a prickly plant with white veins. The herbal extract of this plant contains high contents of Silymarin – an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral component.
It is due to the might of Silymarin, that Milk Thistle has become the all-rounder supplement treating numerous diseases, but especially those of the liver such as Jaundice, Hepatitis, and Cirrhosis.
What Does Silymarin Offer You?
While Milk Thistle has achieved a status of a healthy supplement, its exact benefits still remains for further study by scientific evidence. However, numerous studies have concluded potential benefits that one could attain with Silymarin / Silybum Marianum.
1. Better Liver Health
A study was conducted in 2016 on mice to see the impact of Milk Thistle on diet-induced liver damage. The results displayed improved liver health.
This benefit is attributed to Silybum, a component known to treat liver diseases. It is thought to act as an antioxidant, and toxin blockade agent. Therefore, while the study was not performed on humans, researchers think the benefits may extend to humans too.
2. Cholesterol Reduction
A way to get your bad cholesterol levels down, Milk Thistle is thought to be very helpful for people with cardiac issues. Tested on people with diabetes, the effect of Milk Thistle was able to reduce cholesterol levels far more efficiently than with a placebo.
3. Eased Indigestion
While not a lot of research has been conducted upon Milk Thistle’s impact on indigestion, it is thought to traditionally be used to treat upset stomachs and heartburn.
Therefore, for stomach issues like indigestion, acid reflux, or heartburn, Milk Thistle supplements might just be the way out if nothing else seems to work.
4. Enhanced Immunity
Considering we are always on the search for supplements to up our immune system and strengthen our body’s defence mechanism, Milk Thistle does that – and it is backed by animal and human research, both!
To protect yourselves against infections and germs, Milk Thistle might just come in handy.
5. Promotes Brain Function
Having been used to treat neurogenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases for decades, Milk Thistle just needs a bit more research to become a brain-benefitting supplement.
A study on aged and young rats found that as animals increase in age, the Silymarin in Milk Thistle hinders the pace of oxidative damage to the cells in the brain. Thus, concluding that usage of Silymarin, and thus Milk Thistle, might be a way to prevent the mental decline that is bound to come with the progression of age.
6. Improved Skin Health
The benefit we all had been waiting for; age-less, pimple-free, and beautiful skin is perhaps the offering of Silybum Marianum.
On a human study, it was founded that the use of Milk Thistle created anti-aging effects on skin cells. In addition, bearing fruit for those plagued with acne, a study showed that people who consumed 140 mg Silymarin (the primary component of Milk Thistle) and 100 mg of Doxycycline saw their acne decline.
While the research is still not complete, it can be tried, especially by those for whom other skin and acne treatments refuse to work.
Power Up – Today!
Used for decades in traditional and conventional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. While the scientific backing is not complete, the years of experience might just be the confirmation you need to begin your journey towards health, with Milk Thistle by your side.
