This plant has such unique liver-protecting abilities that simply have no equivalent in the pharmaceutical world. The benefits it provides are so amazing that even the traditional medical community has never disputed them. We talk about Milk Thistle.
This plant comes from the Mediterranean region, and its medicinal properties are known ever since the 1st century AD. In the 16th century, English herbalist John Gerard wrote, this plant is the best natural remedy against all melancholy diseases!
Liver Benefits
Studies have proven that this plant can prevent harmful toxins enter the cells of the liver, as well as remove already existing ones. In this way, the milk thistle protects this extremely important organ in the human body.
Milk thistle is loaded with antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals, ensuring optimal health and energy.
Its liver-protecting properties are due to the presence of the active compound silymarin. This compound has consisted of flavonolignans, and by stimulating protein synthesis it helps repair liver cells damaged by excessive consumption of alcohol.
Workers exposed to toxic chemicals for a period of 5 to 20 years were given standardized Milk Thistle extract (80 percent silymarin) for a month. The results of this research showed that their overall liver function was drastically improved.
The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality made a comprehensive review of 16 scientific studies concerning the use of milk thistles for treating different types of liver disease.
The results showed that it can repair the liver cells from the harmful effects of prescription medication, alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, etc.
Anti-Cancer
The University of Maryland discovered that the active compound in milk thistle – silymarin, also possesses anti-cancer properties. Namely, it prevents the proliferation of cancer cells, shortens their life span, and lowers the blood supply to tumors.
The University of Colorado Cancer Center conducted a study that suggests that this compound can prevent photo-aging and UV-induced skin cancer.
According to Hindawi, milk thistle provides anti-cancer properties against different types of cancer cells, including lung, prostate, liver, breast, cervical, colon, ovarian, and skin cancers.
Via Post News | Natural Society