Silybum marianum
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Milk thistle | ||||||||||||||
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Silybum marianum |
Blessed Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a milk thistle, a plant of the Asteraceae family. This fairly typical thistle has red to purple flowers and shiny pale green leaves with white veins. Originally a native of Southern Europe through to Asia, it is now found throughout the world. The medicinal parts of the plant are the ripe seeds.
It has a large number of other common names, such as Marian Thistle, Mary Thistle, Mediterranean Milk Thistle and Variegated Thistle. Trade or commercial names under which this herb is sold include Silymarin, Milk Thistle Extract, Milk Thistle Super Complex, Milk Thistle Phytosome, Alcohol Free Milk Thistle Seed, Milk Thistle Plus, Silymarin Milk Thistle, Milk Thistle Power, Time Release Milk Thistle Power, and Thisilyn Standardized Milk Thistle Extract. [1]
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[edit] Medicinal Uses
In herbalism, it is used in cases of liver diseases (cirrhosis, jaundice and hepatitis), gallbladder disease, and is claimed to protect the liver against poisons. A 2000 study of such claims by the AHRQ concluded that "clinical efficacy of milk thistle is not clearly established". However a more recent study did show activity against liver cancers.
It's potent extract is used in medicine under the name silymarin. Another extract, silibinin or a derivative, is used against poisoning by amanitas, such as the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) and the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria).
[edit] Where it grows
It has been widely introduced outside its natural range, for example into North America and Australia, where it is considered an invasive weed, and New Zealand.
[edit] Animal Precautions
Due to potassium nitrate content, the plant has been found to be toxic to cattle and sheep. When potassium nitrate is eaten by ruminants, the bacteria in animal's stomach breaks the chemical down, producing a nitrite ion. Nitrite ion then combines with hemoglobin to produce methaemoglobin, blocking the transport of oxygen. The result is a form of oxygen deprivation. [1]
[edit] Other Uses
The extract is now also being used in a beverage called Rockstar Energy Drink as an energy enhancing agent.
[edit] See also
- Milk thistle
- Cnicus (Blessed thistle)
also called ount katara
[edit] References
- Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects AHRQ report
- PDR for Herbal Medicines, Third Edition (ISBN 1-56363-512-7)
- Everist, S.L. (1974) Poisonous Plants of Australia Revised edition. pp. 185-187. (Angus & Robertson: Sydney) ISBN 0-207-14228-9
- Parsons, W.T. & Cuthbertson, E.G. (2001) Noxious Weeds of Australia. 2nd edn. pp. 229-233 (CSIRO: Collingwood) ISBN 0-643-06514-8.
[edit] External links
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Gruenwald, Joerg; Medical Economics, PDR Physicians Desk Reference (2004). PDR for Herbal Medicines. Thomson Healthcare. ISBN 1-56363-512-7.