Milk Thistle Benefits: Everything You Need to Know About Its Health Perks

Shaivy Choubey

Medically Reviewed By Dr. Aarti Nehra

Known scientifically as “Silybum Marianum”, milk thistle is a flowering plant which is well-known for its health-related benefits, especially for improving liver health. This plant consists of “silymarin”, which is a blend of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and might shield against liver damage. Apart from that, it can also aid in boosting overall wellness.

Taking pills of milk thistle benefits in addressing diabetes by enhancing insulin sensitivity and reducing cholesterol levels. It can also improve skin health, help with weight management, and might prevent cancer. Do you wish to uncover more about this unique plant? Read this content!

What is Milk Thistle and What is It Used For?

Milk thistle is no ordinary flowering herb, but it’s also linked to the daisy family. This particular plant has been used for more than 2,000 years mainly because of liver health. You can take this herb via liver health supplements, which can aid in protecting the liver from toxins.

Milk thistle can also help with cell regeneration, and it can do so because of the ingredient “silymarin”, which consists of many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The plant is normally used for various conditions, such as:

  • Fatty liver disease
  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis

Apart from that, it can reduce the level of cholesterol, and is highly beneficial for individuals who have Type 2 diabetes.

Milk Thistle Benefits

When it comes to milk thistle benefits, you will come across many of them. To uncover what they are, here are some of the crucial ones:

Liver Health Support

Milk thistle can surely improve the health of the liver. This herb is used periodically in the form of a complementary remedy by individuals who suffer from liver-related damages because of ailments such as liver cancer, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver condition and alcoholic liver disease.

Apart from that, milk thistle benefits in shielding the liver from various toxins, such as amatoxin. The death cap mushroom produces this particular toxin, and it will be pretty deadly if it’s consumed. However, you can lessen the liver damage and inflammation if you take milk thistle supplements.

Antioxidant Powerhouse

Milk thistle is well-known for its antioxidant properties, mainly because of its ingredient, silymarin. It aids in neutralizing all the free radicals and also lessens the oxidative stress. This particular action helps in shielding all the cells from damage.

Furthermore, milk thistle also aids in reducing the chances of chronic ailments and improves the natural antioxidants of the human body by activating the main enzymes. It also maintains the cellular redox balance as well.

Digestive Health

One of the biggest milk thistle benefits is that it offers support for digestive health. It does so by boosting bile production, which helps with nutrient absorption and fat digestion.

The anti-inflammatory effects can relieve the symptoms of all digestive disorders like bloating and indigestion. The liver-protective effects of this plant can also improve gastrointestinal operations significantly.

Skin Health

This particular herb has many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help with the skin’s health by protecting it from all environmental harm and lessening inflammation.

One of the notable milk thistle tablets benefits is that it can help you get rid of skin conditions, such as eczema and acne. It gets done by lowering the redness/inflammation and also giving a boost to healing. It also supports liver function, which leads to much clearer skin.

Heart Health

Milk thistle has the power to improve heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and enhancing blood circulation. Silymarin has been used to lessen LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol. This greatly lowers the dangers of cardiovascular diseases.

Its anti-inflammatory properties lessen arterial inflammation, which, in return, improves heart function and cardiovascular health.

Immune System Support

Milk thistle benefits the immune system too. It helps via its immunomodulatory properties. This aids in balancing the immune response.

The plant improves the activity of the immune cells and also lessens the severe inflammation. This sort of inflammation is connected to countless health-related ailments. This type of double action intensifies the protection of the human body against various ailments and infections.

Is Milk Thistle Good for Fatty Liver?

You might be thinking is milk thistle good for fatty liver​. Yes, it certainly is, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Several studies have displayed that the active compound in this plant, Silymarin, can improve liver function and reduce the markers of liver damage.

Taking proper supplements or tablets can enhance the ultrasound fatty liver grading in just 8 weeks. Although it might handle the symptoms, it’s advised that you make some changes in your lifestyle, such as weight loss, to improve the health of the liver.

Benefits of Milk Thistle in Modern Wellness

By now, you’re aware of what are milk thistle benefits the human body. However, you should also know the advantages it has on modern-day wellness:

  • Helps protect the liver and improves its function and cell rejuvenation.
  • The plant also assists in bile production, which is needed for digestion.
  • Milk thistle can also reduce the LDL cholesterol levels, which reduces the chances of heart conditions.
  • Taking milk thistle-based tablets can improve the health of the skin and lower the signs of aging.
  • The herb can improve immune function by modulating all inflammatory responses.

Milk Thistle Supplements vs Natural Form – Benefits

To get a proper understanding of the milk thistle supplement benefits compared to the natural form, please check the pointers below:

Aspect

Milk Thistle Supplements

Milk Thistle Natural Form

Source Extracted from milk thistle seeds, processed into capsules, tablets, or powders. Obtained directly from the seeds of the milk thistle plant.
Preparation No preparation is needed; easy to consume. Requires grinding seeds or making teas, which can be time-consuming.
Bioavailability Often standardized for silymarin, ensuring better absorption and maximizing Milk thistle supplement benefits. Lower absorption of active compounds compared to supplements.
Nutrient Retention May include fillers or additives; check labels for purity. Pure and unprocessed nutrients without additives.
Convenience Highly convenient with precise dosages. Less convenient due to preparation requirements.
Availability Widely available in health stores and online. Harder to find fresh and may not always be accessible.
Dosage Consistency Precise dosages for targeted health benefits and enhanced milk thistle supplement benefits. Dosage may vary based on preparation methods.

Conclusion

Taking milk thistle not just improves liver health but also enhances the skin condition, improves cardiovascular health and even prevents digestive-related issues. Once you know what are milk thistle and milk thistle for what it’s used for, it can become easier to find supplements that aid in improving your health.

So, are you planning to get milk thistle pills today? Find the superior ones for yourself after discussing them with the physician.

About Author - Shaivy Choubey is a dedicated and skilled healthcare writer with over seven years of experience in writing, editing, and proofreading content across various niches, including lifestyle, skincare, haircare, and overall well-being. When not writing, Shaivy is on the lookout for the latest wellness trends, exploring vibrant destinations, or savouring her favourite healthy treats.

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