Milk thistle

Milk thistle

Milk thistle or milk thistle(Silybum marianum) – humanity has known about the healing properties of this plant for liver diseases for more than 2000 years. To date, the following integral effects of silymarin have been established and well studied: antioxidant, membrane stabilizing, antitotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, regenerative. The hepatoprotective (cytoprotective) properties of silymarin are based on: suppression of lipid peroxidation processes and counteracting the depletion of glutathione reserves (reduced glutathione is a powerful antioxidant), suppression of the formation of leukotrienes, modulation of immune functions, stimulation of protein synthesis, the ability to slow down or reverse the development of liver fibrosis. Excessive accumulation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation products is one of the leading pathogenetic mechanisms of damage to hepatocytes under the influence of toxins of exogenous and endogenous origin, which leads to damage to cell membranes, disruption of cell function and its death – apoptosis. Silymarin exhibits a hepatoprotective effect in acute and chronic intoxication.

If the liver functions normally, then metabolism and the functioning of the immune system are maintained quite stably. Normal liver function is also associated with the body’s protection against hormone-dependent tumors. Therefore, doctors recommend taking milk thistle to prevent diseases of the female reproductive organs. Many herbalists use this herb for psoriasis, periods of exacerbation of which are clearly associated with deterioration of liver function. The first symptoms of liver dysfunction may be dermatological problems in the form of various skin rashes. Finally, milk thistle has a beneficial effect on digestion, which is associated with the production of bile, which is necessary for the digestion of fat and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Milk thistle NSP can be recommended more widely as a preventive remedy for all people associated with toxic substances, living in unfavorable environmental conditions, and abusing alcohol.