The effects of Milk Thistle

For the human body, other than the brain, lung and heart, the liver is essential organ. The absorption of nutrition and toxin into the blood stream must first go through the liver before distribution to other organs to be used. Harmful toxins to the body, such as alcohol, drugs, chemicals and air pollution must first go through the liver to detoxify in order to prevent the abuse of other organs. As we can see, the liver is the first organ to resist external attacks. It is also the organ most vulnerable to attack. If the liver is not working properly the, other organs will not be able to preserve themselves. So if we want to protect ourselves, we must first protect our liver. In order to keep fit, we must first have a strong liver.

Milk Thistle is extracted from the thistle from the seed of the genus Silybum Adans., a flowering plant of the daisy family. It belongs to the Compositae family. The scientific name is Silybum Marianum (L.) Gaertn and it resembles Artichoke herbs. Its leaves have white stripes, with thorns, purple flower and its seeds are like sunflower seeds. The whole leaf is edible and non-toxic. It is native to the Mediterranean but it now lives all over the world. In San Diego it is found in the wild. Two thousand years ago in Europe, it was found to have protecting and strengthening the liver function. It is very popular among the common folks. In 1949 in Germany, it is clinically confirmed that milk thistle is effective in treating the livers of patients suffering from carbon tetrachloride as well as the treatment of hepatitis. In 1968, its main ingredient Silymarin was extracted from the seeds in Germany. After further study, it was found that Silymarin contains three different components, the most effective for medical use is Silybin. After nearly 30 years of test-tube and animal studies and clinical trials, the results have confirmed that Silymarin does indeed have a liver strengthening and detoxification functions.

Two examples for reference:
(1). Poison mushroom (Amanita) poisoning, Amanita poisoning is usually about 30-40% mortality rate. About 60 clinical patients with Amanita poisoning were treated with Silymarin, the extract of milk thistle. They all survived.
(2) Acute hepatitis (Acute Viral Hepatitis): Out of 77 people, 42 people were given a placebo and 35 with Silymarin. In the control group of 42 people, the average recovery period is 43 days, while for the patients treated with Silymarin, the recovery period is only 29 days.

Integrated Milk Thistle important functions are as follows:
1. prevention of alcohol, drugs, chemicals (such as carbon tetrachloride, etc.), pesticides, air pollution and radioactive damage on liver function.
2. treatment and prevention of cirrhosis of the liver, promote the regeneration of liver cells.
3. Prevention and treatment of various hepatitis, reduce the index of liver enzymes
4. to promote bile flow, and thus to prevent gallstones.
5. Treatment and prevention of poisoning of wild mushroom poisoning.
6. Others, such as anti-inflammatory purpose, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and blood sugar were also effective.

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