Herb library

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

Milk thistle is a familiar garden neighbour, used for generations as a gentle liver and digestive aid. The seeds are the part most often kept on the kitchen shelf and made into simple teas, infusions, and syrups for everyday support.

Traditionally used for.

• •Traditionally used as a long-standing household remedy to support the liver and to help with digestive sluggishness after rich meals.
• •Traditionally used as a gentle bitter to stimulate bile flow and ease feelings of fullness or mild indigestion.
• •Long-standing household use as a supportive herb taken regularly for overall digestive comfort and to help the body process occasional overindulgence.

Simple preparations.

• •Seed tea: lightly crush 1 teaspoon of dried milk thistle seeds, pour 8 ounces of boiling water over them, steep covered for 10 to 15 minutes, strain and sip up to twice daily after meals.
• •Decoction for fuller extraction: crush 1 to 2 teaspoons of seeds, simmer gently in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes, cool and strain; drink 1/4 to 1/2 cup once or twice daily.
• •Honey syrup (for those over one year old): make a seed decoction as above, sweeten warm strained decoction with 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey, store refrigerated and take 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon as needed for palatable daily use.

Cautions.

• !May cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some people, such as loose stools or bloating.
• !Those with known allergies to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family, such as ragweed, may react to milk thistle.
• !May interact with certain prescription medications that are processed by the liver; check with your doctor before regular use, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor.

Often kept beside.