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A short, wide, prickly plant known as milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is the source of a popular herbal remedy that is widely used to detoxify the body and to treat liver disease. Milk Thistle Seed has been shown to have antioxidant properties that help the liver function and stay healthy.

As the name suggests, this herbal remedy is derived from the seeds of the milk thistle plant. Many people take milk thistle seed extract as protection from environmental toxins, such as second hand smoke. People with liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice and inflamed liver, use the herb to protect and regenerate that vital organ.

Milk Thistle, or Sylbum marianum, saw medicinal applications as early as the first century with the Romans who used it primarily to treat liver problems. Modern scientific studies suggest that the active substances in Milk Thistle, particularly silymarin, protect the liver from damage which may be caused by toxins, alcohol, viruses and certain drugs.

A comprehensive review of recent scientific studies by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that in five of seven studies designed to examine the effect of milk thistle on alcoholic liver disease, milk thistle provided significant improvements in liver function.

Herbs have been a part of the human tradition since ancient times. Today, modern science continues to discover the true mechanism behind these historically celebrated botanicals.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver problems. Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protects the liver from toxins, including certain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.

Milk thistle extract has been used as an emergency antidote to poisoning by deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion. If given within 24 hours of ingestion, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death.

Milk thistle seed extract should only be purchase in a standardized form in either capsule or tables as well. Look for name brands like Solaray, Thompson, and Source Naturals to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase. Milk thistle extract is available at your local or internet health food store.

*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Milk Thistle Extract is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.