Milk thistle - healing properties and contraindications

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

It grows in the form of lilac flowers and is well known to almost everyone. But many perceive it as a simple weed and remove from their plots. I must say that they are doing 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 a variety of drugs. In addition, for the purpose of prophylaxis and therapeutic correction, they use flowers.

Botanical Reference

The plant is Asteraceae, is part of the Astrov family. In height 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 different shades. It begins to bloom from mid-summer and continues to do so until its very end, capturing even the beginning of autumn. The fruit is represented by achenes with a tuft.

Chemical composition

Nature clearly did not cheat milk thistle chemicals, introducing them into the plant. It is very rich in fatty oil. Its content can reach 30%. I must say that it is actively used not only medicine, but also the food industry. The plant in a wide range of substances from the group of flavonoids. In large numbers it contains lignans. Their list is represented 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 regenerating effect. The basis of the mechanism of its action are the following processes:

1. It acts as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. This prevents the occurrence of processes by which the membrane of liver cells is destroyed. In addition, free radicals formed in hepatocytes are eliminated, the formation of new complexes is inhibited.
2. Activation of RNA polymerase. This contributes to the activation of regenerative tissue processes. At an accelerated pace, phospholipids and proteins in the cell structures that have undergone damage begin to be synthesized. The membrane structure is stabilized, which leads to the preservation of cellular components.
3. Obstacle to penetration of hepatotoxic poisons into the cell. Poisonous toadstools have such properties. As a result of prostaglandin synthesis, an anti-inflammatory effect is manifested.

It should be noted the extreme instability of silymarin to the action of various factors. It can collapse under the action of atmospheric oxygen and when heated to temperatures in excess of 60 degrees.

A wide variety is represented by a palette of trace elements. A large amount of calcium, which is 16.6 mg per 1 g of medicinal raw materials. A lot of magnesium, potassium, iron.As for the substances of the vitamin series, in the plant there are representatives of almost all groups. In addition, the composition is characterized by the content of lipid complexes. The plant is useful for the function of blood coagulation, because its composition contains the factor T, which has a stimulating effect on platelets.

Thistle Benefits

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

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

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

1. Milk thistle broths help pregnant women with early toxicosis.
2. The plant is of great prophylactic value in preventing the occurrence of infarction and stroke.
3. Useful plant diabetics, varicose veins, people with obesity. The presence of acquired immunodeficiency, jaundice, cirrhosis is not complete without milk thistle during its treatment.
4. To those who show chemotherapy for oncology, it is necessary to use decoctions of this plant.
5. Persons with osteochondrosis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis in history will benefit from the use of milk thistle.
6. In dermatological practice, this plant is used quite widely. They are treated with many skin diseases.
7. Drinking milk thistle juice will eliminate protracted constipation, will help in the fight against colitis.
8. Milk thistle can gargle with angina, pharyngitis. It will help in the fight against cough. Rinsing this plant infusion will relieve stomatitis, periodontal disease.

Seeds in the form of meal and flour

Meal is a substance in powder form. It is obtained by squeezing the seed of a plant. This substance is very rich in fiber. He 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 in the form of a thistle seed powder. In this form, the plant is used if it is necessary to restore the work of the liver. It is used in combination with vegetable oil. Its just mixed with it. The result is a powerful tool that has such medicinal properties that existing pharmaceutical products can envy.

However, even this wonderful plant has some limitations. It is contraindicated in pregnant women and persons under 12 years. Application 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 harm her any. Therefore, it is recommended as a safe tool for daily use.

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

Use flour in culinary business. It can serve as an additive to salads, used in baking confectionery. But it should contain no more than 20%. Individuals with a chronic pathology in the history of her prepare drinks. Anyway, preliminary consultation with your doctor will never hurt.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that milk thistle has a rather extensive list of indications, unfortunately, it also has a number of restrictions for its use. These include the following states:

• The presence of mental illness.
• States accompanied by depression.
• Epilepsy attacks.
• Children under the age of 12 years.
• Symptoms associated with shortness of breath.
• Pregnant women.

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

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

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

Who is shown milk thistle?

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

1. Broths of a seed of a plant are shown to persons with obesity. The effect is achieved through 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 his work comes in order. All this will contribute to the disappearance of extra pounds.
2. In the diet of diabetics must contain fiber. Thanks to her, "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 contributes to the synthesis of the hormone insulin pancreas.
3. With the help of decoction of 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 enhance the production of breast milk. It is useful to use seed oil for women after childbirth. As a result, the woman recovers faster.

Milk thistle is useful in the following conditions:

• alcohol intoxication;
• used when withdrawing from binge;
• is present in the composition of complex remedial measures in the treatment of drug addiction;
• used in the rehabilitation period after severe illness;
• used during chemotherapy sessions for the reason for the presence of oncology;
• used as a means to increase immunity.

Prescription formulations

Arsenal of traditional medicine contain a lot of milk-thistle-based recipes for correcting variouspathological conditions.

Those who decided to lose weight
A tablespoon of meal is dissolved in 100 ml of warm water. Shown daily intake of 2-3 times. You can use flour, adding it to the porridge or preparing pastries. At the same time it is necessary to follow the rules of rational nutrition and regularly engage in physical exercise and sports. The load must be feasible and is 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 the additional intake of various nutrients.

With chronic constipation
You will need natural yogurt or kefir. In 100 ml of the drink should dissolve the meal in the amount of one tablespoon. Shown daily use for one month. Treatment can be added by drinking two liters of pure water per day. This will contribute to the elimination of toxins and toxins from the body.

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

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

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

Liver pathology
Flour is used for correction. H one reception accounts for a teaspoon. The frequency is 4-5 times a day. The course must be at least 40 days. Then a break is given for two weeks. After this course is repeated. Treatment may last up to 6 months.This period is quite enough for improvement to come.

Application for poisoning
If symptoms associated with poisoning occur, one spoonful of meal is given every 3 hours. This is done until all the symptoms have subsided.

Important! With the existence of chronic pathology, before using the plant, it is necessary to get advice from the attending physician.

If someone began to use milk thistle for the first time and felt slight pain in the area of ​​the projection of the liver, do not worry about it. All this fits into the framework of the norm. This usually goes on 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 an undeniable benefit. Its use will help bring the body in order and will contribute to its improvement. Nature itself took care of this by introducing into the plant a lot of necessary chemical elements. But to use it to anyone, should not be. Do not forget that she has certain contraindications. To achieve the maximum effect, you must adhere to the dosage and medical recommendations.

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