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1531	Milk Thistle Powder	Silybum marianum	pound	$19.00
1530	Milk Thistle Seed Whole	Silybum marianum	pound	$16.99
6335-0	Milk Thistle Seed whole Certified Organic	Silybum marianum	pound	$18.99
6340-0	Milk Thistle Seed powder  Certified Organic	Silybum marianum	pound	$22.99
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Introduction to Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a flowering herb which grows in abundance all around the Mediterranean (it likes a sunny, dry place to grow). For thousands of years the Chinese have known about the very special properties of milk thistle, particularly how it can be used as a remedy for problems associated with the liver.

What Milk Thistle Is Used For

Milk thistle is most well known for the healing effect it has on the liver. The active ingredient Silymarin acts directly on the center of the cell to promote reproduction, regeneration and repair. It actually binds itself to the outer edge of the liver cells, protecting them from damaging chemicals and toxins. This makes it effective in helping jaundice, cirrhosis, (hardening of the liver) hepatitis, (inflammation of the liver) as well as damage caused by alcohol abuse. 

Milk thistle detoxifies and cleanses an overused and abused liver, while helping to strengthen it for future use. The liver is essential for cleansing the blood but cannot work effectively if it is stagnant and clogged up itself. Many other problems can arise as a result of this - skin problems such as acne, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis for example. 

Other illnesses and diseases which can benefit from a daily dose of milk thistle include:

* high cholesterol - milk thistle can be used to lower cholesterol levels
* type 2 diabetes - milk thistle can reduce the insulin resistance for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes but also have cirrhosis
* cancer - milk thistle has been found to be effective in reducing the growth of cancer cells in cervical, breast and prostate cancer

How Milk Thistle Is Used

Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle is found in the seeds (or fruit) of the plant. These seeds can then be used to prepare powders, extracts and capsules. A daily cup of milk thistle tea is a great way to get your requirements. Simply add the milk thistle extract to a cup of hot (almost boiling) water and enjoy.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Milk Thistle Science

As with any other herbal treatment, the science of milk thistle is ongoing with many different trials and tests. Silymarin does work in a number of different ways:

* inhibiting the factors which are responsible for causing liver damage in the first place (protection!)
* increasing the amount of glutathione in the liver - this is what actually detoxifies the chemicals, hormones and drugs passing through the liver
* stimulating the growth of new cells in the liver, so that areas of the liver can be regenerated and repaired. 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

Who Might Benefit From Milk Thistle

Milk thistle can offer many benefits to many people, particularly those who:

* eat a poor diet with lots of fatty foods
* suffer from a poor digestive function
* need to lower their levels of cholesterol
* are regular alcohol drinkers
* are regularly exposed to chemicals such as pesticides, solvents or environmental pollutants
* need (or want) to reduce their body fat
* use oral contraceptives, HRT or other similar drugs with hormones

Possible Side Effects of Milk Thistle

Most people won't suffer any side effects at all from using milk thistle, but a few words of caution are always wise. Allergic reactions may be a problem, particularly for people who are also allergic to plants from the same family (marigold, daisy, ragweed, chrysanthemum for example). As milk thistle is also used to lower cholesterol, it may not be suitable for anyone with an already low cholesterol count. It may also lower blood sugar levels, so anyone suffering from hypoglycemia or diabetes, or taking drugs to affect their blood sugar levels should only use milk thistle with caution. The best thing to do is to consult your health care professional if you have any reasons to believe that milk thistle is not suitable for you.

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.