Overview

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a versatile crop that has adapted to the broadly different soil and environmental conditions throughout all continents. To date, the fruits (“seeds”) of the plant are the only reliable source of silymarin, which, given its recognized therapeutic effects and its many present and potential uses, has led to a significant re-discovery and enhancement of the crop in recent years.It grows abundantly in Pakistanas a weed with wheat crop as well as on unutilized, barren ground. Its peak maturity period is April to July.

Benefits

Milk thistle is effective at naturally reversing toxicity in the body, including the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, pesticides in our food supply, heavy metals in our water supply and pollution in the air that we breathe.
As a liver support and liver aid, milk thistle acts as a powerful liver cleanser by rebuilding liver cells, reducing liver damage and removing toxins from the body that are processed through the liver.
The most powerful active substance in milk thistle is silymarin — an antioxidant shown to protect liver cells against mutation and damage. It acts as a toxin blockade by preventing toxins from binding to receptors on liver cell membranes.
Silymarin may help reduce the risk for cancer development (including breast cancer) by boosting the immune system, fighting DNA damage and reversing cancerous tumor growth.
Milk thistle benefits heart health and helps lower high cholesterol levels by reducing inflammation, cleaning the blood and preventing oxidative stress damage within the arteries.
The valuable antioxidants found in milk thistle have been reported in experimental and clinical studies to help decrease blood sugar levels in people with insulin resistance, so it may make sense to add it to a diabetic diet plan.
Milk thistle’s protective qualities of the skin make it great for reducing visible signs of aging, so consuming milk thistle may be an easy way to prevent skin cancer and skin damage, such as acne, dark spots, wrinkles, lines and discoloration.

Dosage

Precautions

Some people are advised to be cautious when taking milk thistle. These include:

Pregnant women:

There is no data on its safety in pregnant women, so they are usually advised to avoid this supplement.

Those allergic to the plant:

Milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants.
People with diabetes:

The blood sugar-lowering effects of milk thistle may put people with diabetes at risk of low blood sugar.

Side Effects

Milk thistle is generally considered safe for most people at dosages up to 420 mg 3 times a day. However, it may cause allergic reactions, such as itching, headaches, and joint pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or diarrhea.

Nutritional Value

1 tsp or 5gm serving of milk thistle seeds contain:

Calories 15
Total Fat 0.6g
Saturated Fat 0.6g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 0mg
Total Carbs 2g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g
Vitamin E 2mg
Calcium 50mg
Iron 1.8mg