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Milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, is a biennial plant, found naturally in the south west of Europe. Despite its narrow natural distribution, milk thistle has been put to good use for thousands of years as a treatment for liver and similar complaints. Milk Thistle Environment In modern times, it has been spread across the majority of continental Europe and North America, and can be found in wasteland and poor grasslands naturally, as well as in ornamental gardens for its distinctive colouring and textures. Milk thistle is a particularly robust plant, surviving in a range of conditions and soils. Provided there is a temperate climate, milk thistle can survive and prosper naturally. Despite its recent return to medical journals, milk thistle has been out of favour for many years, having fallen into disuse over the last few centuries. Modern research has shown that milk thistle may be even more beneficial than was first thought, giving it significantly greater status and recognition in medical spheres. Further, given its considerable history with alternative and traditional medicines, the milk thistle is becoming a particularly useful and practical addition to any herb garden. Milk Thistle Appearance Milk thistle can be found growing in wastelands without human intervention, or in gardens for decorative purposes. It is a leafy plant, with substantial veined leaves of a rich green colour. Running through the leaves can be seen a white, powdery vein, hence 'milk' thistle. Furthermore, the leaves when boiled give off a milk like sap, which is a contributing reason to the unusual name. Its flowers grow from protruding stocks and bloom into a thorny thistle with a pink and red head. Although sharp and thorn-ridden, the milk thistle is a very attractive and colourful plant that sits well in any garden. In addition to its attractive appearance, milk thistle can also be harnessed for a number of medicinal purposes, making it more useful for domestic growth. Milk Thistle Treatment and Uses Milk thistle is thought to be particularly beneficial in treating liver disorders and disease, and this is the subject of a great wealth of research money and effort. Numerous toxicological studies around the world have shown that milk thistle produces silymarin, which acts upon liver cell membranes to ward off toxins and viruses and thereby strengthening the liver's natural defences against invasion. Research has also shown that milk thistle can have a beneficial impact on fatty liver and chronic hepatitis, empowering a weakened liver to fight off the condition. It is also used for treatment as an anti-dote for Death Cap mushroom poisoning, whereby it is injected into the patient after the poison has been drained. Otherwise, milk thistle can be consumed as an infusion with boiling water, or alternatively, some health care providers produce milk thistle capsules for quick and easy ingestion. In choosing capsules over an infusion, which may be beneficial for taste reasons, it is important to read the label and consult your physician for advice on your condition. Milk thistle can also be prepared and eaten as a vegetable, largely by boiling the stalks or using the leaves in a salad, which provides an interesting texture and different but pleasant taste as a red meat accompaniment.
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