- Milk thistle (Silybum
marianum) is a unique liver protectant. It is one of the few herbs that
has no equal in the world of conventional medicine.
- Milk thistle is
sometimes called silymarin, which is actually a mixture of the
herb's active components, including silybinin (also called silibinin or
silybin).
- Milk thistle is native
to the Mediterranean, but is now widespread throughout the world. This
stout thistle usually grows in dry, sunny areas. The stem branches at
the top, and reaches a height of 4 to 10 feet. The leaves are wide, with
white blotches or veins. The flowers are red-purple. The small,
hard-skinned fruit is brown, spotted, and shiny. Milk thistle is easy to
grow, and it matures quickly, in less than a year.
- Milk thistle has long
been used in Europe as a food. De-spined leaves were used in salads,
while stalks, roots and flowers were cooked. Seeds were used as coffee
substitute. It has been used as a medicine for over 2,000 years as milk
stimulant, for liver, kidney and spleen problems, for jaundice, gall
stones, and menstrual pain.
- In 1997, milk thistle
ranked 12th among the top selling herb supplements in the U.S. mass
market, with sales of over US$3 million. Prices in 1997 ranged from
US$2.50 to $5.00/lb.
- Milk thistle is not
bothered by many pests, and no diseases have been noted. Milk thistle is
very drought resistant and should not require irrigation unless severe
conditions arise.
- Milk thistle is native
to western and central Europe and northern India, but has become
naturalized by escaping from cultivation in southern Europe, Africa,
India, China, Australia, South America, and in many parts
of
North America. Much of the current commercial seed production for
the
European market comes from Argentina, while cultivation in
Texas supplies some of the U.S. market.
- Milk thistle is very
drought tolerant and prefers dry well drained soil in full sun. It is
found along roadsides, in fields and waste places. Milk thistle
seeds historically has been used for mild digestive complaints,
especially those centered on liver function.
- Depending on the
intended use of a milk thistle product, one consumer may choose to use a
well manufactured, but not standardized, tincture as a digestive aid,
whereas anyone with a diagnosed liver disease would prefer a
standardized product concentrated to 80% silymarin.
- The seed is used as
supportive treatment in Germany for many forms of chronic inflammatory
liver disorders that vary from hepatitis to severe Amanita mushroom
poisoning. Milk thistle products vary in their claimed “standardized”
marker content from 30 to 80 percent silymarin or silybin.
- One of the special
qualities of Milk Thistle is that it cleanses and detoxifies an
overburdened and stagnant liver while also being able to strengthen and
tonify a weak liver.
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General
Information
- Milk Thistle - A
Glance
- Milk thistle-
Introduction
- Silyarin
- Milk Thistle Herb
Information
- Carduus marianus
- Silybum marianum -
Plant for a Future
Production and
Management
- Milk thistle production
in Saskatchewan
- Milk Thistle
Production
-
Influence of
Biocontrol Insects on Canada Thistle
- Callus culture for
biomass production of milk thistle
- Biological control of
Musk Thistle
- Assessing the Extent of
Damage in the Cultivation of Milk thistle
- Milk Thistle
Threats
- Integrated Pest
Management
Properties and Functions
- Milk Thistle's
Liver-Protective Properties
- Effect of Milk Thistle
on the Pharmacokinetics of Irinotecan
- Anticarcinogenic Effect
of Milk thistle
- Effect of Milk thistle
on Digoxin Pharmacokinetics in Humans
-
Isolation and
characterization of silybins and isosilybins from milk
thistle
- Functions of Milk
Thistle
-
Cisplatin
Nephrotoxicity and Protection by Milk Thistle Extract in Rats
- Milk Thistle
Toxicology
Company
Profiles
- IREL, Spol.s.r.o
- Dosic
- Hongjiu Biotech
- Skye Herbals
- Fraken Biochem
Patent
- Liver Function
Improvement Formulation
- Prevention, Treatment
and Repair of Liver Damage
- Compositions containing
minoxidil and saw palmetto for treating baldness
- Dietary supplements for
each specific blood type
- Use of milk thistle
extract in skin care compositions
Products
- LIMARIN®
Capsules
- Milk Thistle High
Strength
- Liver Cleanse
Product
- Milk Thistle Extract
for pets
- Herbal Plus® Milk Thistle
- Detox Foot Patch - Milk
Thistle Liver Support
- Milk Thistle Capsule
Product List
- Milk Thistle
Products
- TruNature® Milk
Thistle
- Solgar Milk Thistle Herb
Extract
- Cellu-Smooth
- Pet Products
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Projects and
Consultants
- Rajesh Agarwal
- David J.Kroll
- C. Lindsay
DeVane
- Sharon Ann Meyer
- Dennis Leppanen
- Experts Opinions
Regarding Milk Thistle AND Maximum Milk Thistle
- Manitoba Project
- CRISP Project
- Approved
Projects
Benefits and
Medicinal Applications
- Historical and Popular
Uses
- Medicinal Action and
Uses
- Milk Thistle For Liver
Detoxification
- Lady's Thistle
Remedies
- Modern Medicinal
Use
- Natural Remedies
- Pharmacology and
Therapeutic Uses
- Health Wellness
- Uses and
Effectiveness
- Modern
Applications
- Benefits of Milk
Thistle
- Traditional Uses of Milk Thistle
- Liver's
Bodyguard
Market and
Report
- The Milk Thistle
- An Exploration of
Current Issues in Botanical Quality
- Milk thistle extract
could help diabetes control
- Economics and
Marketing
-
Export Market
Opportunities in the USA
- Milk Thistle Not An
Effective Cure For Liver Disease
- Milk thistle compound
could protect against lung cancer
- Milk thistle "does not"
lower mortality
-
Improved
agronomic practices for milk thistle
Suppliers and
Buyers
- Milk Thistle China
Suppliers
- Selling Leads
- Trade Leads of Milk
Thistle
- Exporters of Milk
Thistle
- Suppliers of Milk
Thistle Extract
- Hangzhou New Asia
International
- Manufacturers of Milk
Thistle
- Milk Thistle
Buyer
Safety and
Hazards
- Warning about Milk
Thistle and Drug Interactions
- Milk Thistle &
Amanita muscaria Poisoning
- Material Safety Data
Sheet
- Benefits and Safety
Dietary Supplements
Guides
- Milk Thistle- Growers
Guide
- FAQ About Milk
Thistle
- Milk Thistle -
Supplement Guide
- Useful Link
- Drug Guide
Order the CD ROM
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