The Mysterious Power of Milk Thistle: How to Use This Plant to Improve Liver Health
Milk thistle, scientific name Silybum marianum, is native to Europe and later spread to all parts of the world. The aerial parts and seeds of this plant have long been used for medicinal purposes, especially in the treatment of liver diseases.
Milk thistle benefits
Milk thistle is best known for its liver health benefits. It is widely used to treat liver damage caused by chemicals, alcohol, chemotherapy, and certain toxins. Additionally, milk thistle has been studied for use in diabetes management, and its extract (210-600 mg daily) may help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Milk thistle seeds may protect liver cells from toxins and drugs while having hypoglycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Milk thistle health food
In Hong Kong, milk thistle is often made into various health foods, such as capsules, powders and liquid forms for easy daily intake. These products often claim to improve liver health and help detoxify the liver.
Difference Between Milk Thistle and Artichoke
Milk thistle and artichoke differ in appearance, but more importantly in their medicinal composition and effects. Milk thistle is mainly used for liver health, while artichoke is mostly used for digestive system problems.
Effects of milk thistle on fatty liver
Fatty liver disease is a common liver disease, and milk thistle has shown potential effectiveness in treating fatty liver disease. Research shows that milk thistle extract improves liver function measures in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but these measures don't always correlate with disease severity.
Milk thistle side effects and precautions
Although milk thistle is generally considered safe, in some cases it may cause side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, feelings of fullness, loss of appetite, and headache. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using milk thistle as adequate safety data are currently lacking. Additionally, milk thistle may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family.
Milk thistle drug interactions
Milk thistle may interact with certain medications, affecting how the liver breaks them down. For example, it may interact with pain relievers (such as acetaminophen), certain cancer drugs, diabetes drugs (which may cause hypoglycemia), and cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Conclusion
Milk thistle is a natural health supplement with potential benefits for liver health and diabetes management. However, its effectiveness varies under different conditions and may interact with a variety of medications. Always seek the advice of a medical professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition or are taking other medications.
