How do you use fresh milk thistle?
Use about 1 tablespoon of milk thistle seed powder per cup of tea. Place powdered seeds into tea ball. Pour near-boiling water into cup with tea ball and let steep for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sweeten to taste with the sweetener of your choice (or not at all).
Which part of milk thistle is good for liver?
But the silymarin extract may arguably be the most potent part. The flowers each produce several seeds when dried. By grinding the seeds, people have been able to extract the compound silymarin. Silymarin is a flavonoid with powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic qualities.
What does milk thistle taste like?
Milk thistle tea boasts a mild flavor that is slightly sweet. It is often compared to dandelion tea with mild earthy undertones and stronger floral notes. The tea is commonly sweetened using honey or milk to increase the creamy texture of the tea.
Does milk thistle reduce ALT levels?
Milk thistle, taken by many people for liver disease, ineffective as treatment for hepatitis C, study suggests. Summary: A new multicenter trial finds that taking silymarin (milk thistle) has no effect on serum ALT or levels of the hepatitis C virus in people with chronic hepatitis C infection.
Does milk thistle lower AST and ALT?
CONCLUSION. Silymarin minimally reduced, but without clinical relevance, the serum levels of ALT and AST.
What do you need to know about milk thistle?
Background 1 Milk thistle is native to Europe and was introduced into North America by early colonists. 2 The terms “milk thistle” and “silymarin” are often used interchangeably. 3 Historically, people have used milk thistle for liver disorders and gallbladder problems.
How is milk thistle used to treat liver disease?
It is a member of the aster or daisy family and has been used by ancient physicians and herbalists to treat a range of liver and gallbladder diseases and to protect the liver against a variety of poisons. This evidence report details a systematic review summarizing clinical studies of milk thistle in humans.
When is the best time to plant milk thistle?
Milk thistle is a hardy plant that grows well in all different environments, although it prefers high temperatures and dry conditions. The soil also needs to be well-drained. To grow milk thistle, spread the seeds over the loose soil in the spring or fall.
How does milk thistle work to lower blood sugar?
Milk thistle might lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes. Indigestion (dyspepsia). Milk thistle, in combination with other supplements, might improve the symptoms of indigestion. Liver disease. Research on the effects of milk thistle on liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis C, has shown mixed results.