Milk Thistle 

Milk thistle (silybum marianum) is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Easily identified by its reddish-purple blooms, the plant is thought to be native to Southeastern England, but has been widely introduced in other areas. In many locations, the plant’s ripe seeds are harvested for medicinal purposes. Due to its affordability and effectiveness, milk thistle extract is often used in place of -- or in addition to -- pharmaceutical medications to treat certain health ailments.

If you are looking for organic milk thistle, Alternative Medicine Solution has the products you need. We carry organic milk thistle as an aqueous extract, in the form of capsules, and as milk thistle seeds that can be purchased in bulk. We also carry milk thistle products that are formulated with additional active ingredients for a synergistic effect. To get high-quality milk thistle supplements that help you stay active and healthy, visit our online store today!

The Benefits of Milk Thistle

Alternative medical practitioners use organic milk thistle to treat a variety of health conditions. In studies, the supplement is typically used to treat serious ailments. Consequently, reports of its efficacy for treating less serious health conditions are mostly anecdotal. Some of
greatest evidence for the health benefits of organic milk thistle surrounds its use as a primary or adjunctive treatment for alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, cancer, and high cholesterol.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Caused by the chronic overconsumption of alcohol, alcoholic liver disease is a major health problem across the globe. With multiple studies supporting its ability to increase liver function, milk thistle has become a popular add on treatment for those suffering from the disease. In most studies, patients with less serious cases of alcoholic liver disease responded best to therapeutic doses of the supplement, demonstrating the importance of liver function for liver healing.

Viral Hepatitis

Reports about the effectiveness of milk thistle for treating viral hepatitis are mixed. In some studies, improvements in liver enzyme activity were found in patients who began taking the supplement at a therapeutic dose, while other studies report no improvement. As with alcoholic
liver disease, the ability of the extract to improve liver function likely depends on health of the liver. The more functional your liver, the more benefit may be derived from taking the extract.  

Cancer

Milk thistle extract is not a miracle cure for cancer, but it has shown promising results in inhibiting the growth of human prostate, breast, and cervical cancer cells in test tubes— a finding alternative doctors extrapolate to mean that the extract will help inhibit the spread of tumor tissue in the body. Before using milk thistle extract as a cancer treatment, patients should consult with their physician about how taking the extract may affect other treatments they are receiving. 

High Cholesterol

Milk thistle extract also shows promise in the fight against high LDL cholesterol (a.k.a. “bad cholesterol”). An animal study found that the extract worked as well as the LDL cholesterol lowering medication probucol. In addition, the extract increased levels of HDL cholesterol (a.k.a. “good cholesterol”) in the study group. If you are dieting and exercising to get your
LDL cholesterol under control, taking milk thistle extract can help you achieve your goal.

Get Healthier Today

When taken at the right dose, organic milk thistle shows promise as a weapon against serious health conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, cancer, and high cholesterol. If you have a health ailment, taking milk thistle may help, but be sure to discuss the option with your doctor before you make a decision, especially if you are taking other medications to treat the condition. For more information about our products, call us today at (877) 676-1615.