The Benefits of Milk Thistle

If you were to find a milk thistle plant growing in nature, you might think twice about picking it! Even though the plant is topped with a beautiful purple flower, the thorns and spiky leaves give this plant the appearance of not wanting to be touched! But did you know that despite having a threatening look, milk thistle has been shown to be greatly beneficial for our bodies? In fact, it has been used for thousands of years in a variety of natural therapeutic practices.

What is Milk Thistle?

Also known as Holy Thistle, this plant is natively grown near the coast of southeast England. The seeds have been imported and now grown around the world in places like Iran, Austria, Germany, and the United States. The plants thrive in dry, rocky soils, typically in sunny areas. The flower heads (which bloom in the US during the summer) boast a beautiful purple color and are often eaten either raw or cooked. Even the young stalks, leaves and roots of the milk thistle plant can be used eat or used for wellness purposes. Believe it or not, people will use milk thistle in a manner similar to asparagus, adding it to soups and salads! Even the seeds of the milk thistle plant can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

What are the Benefits of Milk Thistle?

Traditionally, milk thistle has been used to help with a variety of liver and gallbladder issues. It has also been shown to protect the liver from environmental toxins and external agents. In fact, one study found that milk thistle may slightly extend the life expectancy of people experiencing cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholic liver disease. (link to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24672644) It's also been shown to help improve the liver function of people with disease, suggesting that can reduce liver inflammation and damage. (link to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27517806)

In addition to benefiting the liver, milk thistle can help to strengthen and protect our bones. As we age, we can experience weak and fragile bones that break easily. Research has suggested that milk thistle may be a useful therapy for helping to prevent or delay bone loss in postmenopausal women. (link to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24354586) This is important for people who are extremely active, especially those in the older population. Milk thistle has also been shown to be beneficial in helping to promote healthy blood sugar levels. Research suggests that combined with traditional treatment, milk thistle can help to improve diabetes. (link to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4310066/)

Last but not least, milk thistle has been used as a traditional remedy for neurological conditions that include Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. This is due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Milk thistle contains silymarin, which has been shown to prevent oxidative damage in brain cells. (link to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19647779/) Silymarin is also known to have antiviral properties which can help to strengthen the immune system (link to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28672215)

Why Superior Labs 100% Pure Milk Thistle?

If you are familiar with our company, you know that we are scrupulous about making supplements of the highest quality possible. That's why we ensure our milk thistle is grown and harvested according to FDA standards. We also inspect and test each batch of the raw harvested milk thistle to make sure it is free from chemicals and pesticides. The finished milk thistle capsules are free from magnesium stearate, dioxides, preservatives and other potentially harmful artificial ingredients. You can rest assured that our 100% Pure Milk Thistle supplements are just that…completely pure, just as nature intended. Learn more about this popular supplement here.