Milk thistle

Other names: Silybum marianum, Lady's thistle, Silymarin

Milk thistle is a medicinal plant also known by its Latin name Silybum marianum or in English as Lady's thistle or Silymarin. It is a biennial to perennial plant that is native to the Mediterranean region and grows mainly in dry and sunny places. Milk thistle takes its name from the legend that the white spots on the leaves were produced by the mother's milk of the Virgin Mary, who briefly hid here with the baby Jesus on her way to Egypt. The medicinal properties of this plant were known in ancient Greece and are now confirmed by numerous scientific studies.

Milk thistle is especially valued for its seeds, which contain the powerful antioxidant silymarin. Silymarin has regenerative effects on the liver and supports its function. This makes it particularly useful in the treatment of liver diseases such as cirrhosis, jaundice or poisoning by liver toxins. It also has positive effects on the digestive system and helps in the treatment of gallstones. Milk thistle is also included in various dietary supplements and detoxification treatments. In the kitchen, the seeds boiled in salted water can be eaten on their own, similar to nuts. The plant can also be used as a tasty and healthy addition to salads. In addition, milk thistle is also used to make teas, tinctures or capsules and has recently become popular in the cosmetics world, where its extracts are added to creams for sensitive and problematic skin.