Herbal extract or tincture is one popular method of taking milk thistle.
Milk thistle seed is used to prevent and treat liver problems. Only one milk thistle species, Silybum marianum, has been proven to be therapeutic, but several types of milk thistle supplements are available. The medicinally active chemical constituents in this plant are collectively known as silymarins, thus some milk thistle supplements are sold under the name silymarin. Of the numerous clinical studies conducted on this medicinal herb, some prove it effective for conditions such as food poisoning, cirrhosis and hepatitis. For example, a 1989 Hungarian study that found that it is an effective treatment for chronic alcoholic liver disease.
Food and Tea
Herbalists do not recommend making a tea with milk thistle seed because the active constituents do not extract well in hot water. Dried milk thistle seeds, however, can be ground into a powder and sprinkled on food or taken by the spoonful. Many people ingest milk thistle this way as a tonic and preventative; because the whole seeds contain only about 4 to 6 percent silymarins, this is not a preferred method for treating specific liver conditions. Regular consumption of the seeds, however, can enhance liver regeneration after an individual was exposed to toxic chemicals, radiation and other poisons. Dried milk thistle seeds can be purchased at herbal and/or health food stores.
Capsules and Tablets
Many companies sell capsules of dried milk thistle that are standardized to contain specific amounts of silymarin. Professionals recommend a daily dose of 250 to 480mg per day, divided into two or three doses per day. Milk thistle sold in tablet form is usually not standardized.
Liquid Extracts and Tinctures
When taken as a liquid extract or tincture, herbs enter directly into the bloodstream without needing to pass through the digestive system, unlike capsules. Alcohol is the most potent medium for extracting herbs, but glycerine and even vinegar also are used. Due to its tough seed coating, milk thistle extracts best into an alcohol medium, making milk thistle tincture made that way unsuitable for people sensitive to alcohol. Additionally, few liquid milk thistle extracts are standardized for their silymarin content.
Combination Supplements
Milk thistle is often combined with other beneficial liver herbs, and these supplements can be even more effective in protecting the liver from toxins. Some popular milk thistle blends are made in the form of tablets, liquid extracts and fresh-freeze dried herbs in capsules.
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