What Is Milk Thistle Leaf?

Milk thistle is native to Southern Europe and Asia, although it can be found growing all over the world. It is a bitter herb used primarily for its detoxifying effects on the liver.

How to Use Milk Thistle Leaf (Common Uses)

Milk thistle can be taken internally as a tea, decoction, powder, capsules, or extract. Milk thistle leaf works well both on its own and when combined with other herbs. 

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Milk Thistle Leaf

Milk thistle has a detoxifying effect on the liver.

Milk thistle leaf can help to increase bile production and is a useful digestive bitter. It may help to relieve nausea.

Milk thistle is a popular ingredient in herbal formulas designed to help lower cholesterol.

The leaves of the milk thistle plant have historically been used to enhance breast milk production, as well as to gently detoxify the liver and increase digestion.

In Europe, injections containing milk thistle may be given to those experiencing poisoning from Amanita (death cap) mushrooms.

Active Constituents in Milk Thistle Leaf

Silymarin, silybin, silychristin, silydianin, isosilybin, flavonolignans, quercitin, taxifolin, eriodyctiol, chrysoeriol, volatile oil, mucilage.

Notable Facts About Milk Thistle Leaf

Milk thistle is energetically cooling and drying.

It is associated with the Norse god Thor.

Milk thistle is considered a masculine herb and is associated with the planet Mars, and the astrological sign of Aries.