Extract, pills, tea

Milk Thistle is well known for its healing effects on the liver. Silymarin, which is its active ingredient, goes directly to the cell's center to start new protein formation which cause cell reproduction, regeneration and repair. From the ancient Greek healers to modern European physicians, over 2000 years of use makes Milk Thistle one of the most consistently effective medicinal herbs on the globe. Milk Thistle (silymarin) binds to the outside of the liver cells and protects them from damaging chemicals and toxins. Milk Thistle is known to help with jaundice, cirrhosis hepatitis, and damage from alcohol abuse. Milk Thistle can be used daily, to insure that the liver is clearing the toxins out of the body.  
Protects the liver from damage due to alcohol and chemicals
• Assists regeneration of liver tissue
• Detoxifies the blood
• Useful in the treatment of cirrhosis, hepatitis and fatty liver

Liver Disorders
Milk Thistle accelerates protein synthesis by the liver cells, It stimulates the liver to produce SOD a potent free radical scavenger.   It prevents depletion of glutathione  in the liver.

For over two decades now, study after study has confirmed Milk Thistle's unique abilities with regard to aiding the correction of liver disorders. Conditions including cirrhosis, viral and alcohol-induced hepatitis, and fatty infiltration of the liver have all shown significant improvement when treated with an extract of Milk Thistle. Even the poisons most dangerous to the liver, those contained in the mushroom, can be effectively detoxified with Milk Thistle extract.

What does Milk Thistle do?

Milk Thistle yields three main active compounds known collectively as Silymarin, which work in a number of ways to restore liver health. Firstly, Silymarin inhibits the factors responsible for causing liver damage. As well, it increases the liver's content of a substance called glutathione which is responsible for detoxifying many chemicals, drugs and hormones. Silymarin also stimulates the growth of new liver cells so that damaged areas of the liver may be regenerated.

Love Your Liver
The liver has an influences the entire human body and is vital that this organ be allowed to perform its many roles with efficiency because:

• Toxins enter the body every day, and the liver has the responsibility of filtering them out of the bloodstream.

• Hormones influencing both our physical and emotional well-being are activated and broken down in the liver.

• Many Vitamins, including some in the B complex, rely on the liver to activate them.

• The metabolism of fats and carbohydrates depends on a liver that performs well and therefore so do energy levels and the body's ability to use fat for fuel.

People who:

• Eat fatty foods or have a generally poor diet.

• Have a poor digestive function.

• Need to lower their cholesterol levels.

• Use oral contraceptives, Hormone Replacement Therapy or other drugs containing hormones.

• Drink alcohol on a regular basis.

• Are exposed to pesticides, solvents or other environmental pollutants.

• Are trying to reduce body fat.

May find milk thistle helpful.

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-PSORIASIS

Milk Thistle is highly effective as an antioxidant herb, particularly with its ability to protect the liver from free radical damage. Its component Silymarin is at least ten times more potent as an antioxidant than Vitamin E.

Because psoriasis is associated with toxins in the blood, Silymarin (with its detoxifying action) can be useful in the treatment of this condition.

REFERENCES:
Pizzorno, J. & Murray, M. A Textbook of Natural Medicine, Volume II. John Bastyr College Publications, Seattle. (V:SilbM) 1­3, 1988.
Murray, M. The Healing Power of Herbs,
2nd Edition. Prima Publishing,
California. 244­245, 1995.
Morazzoni, P. & Bombardelli, E. Fitoterapia, Volume LXVI. (1): 33­34, 1995.
Murray, M. The Healing Power of Herbs, 2nd Edition. Prima Publishing, California. 244, 1995. Ibid., 248.