The purple flowering and prickly herb you often notice on highways, open pastures, and crop fields known as milk thistle is a powerful ancient remedy with a history older than 2000 years.
Native to the Mediterranean, but now growing worldwide, this plant is one of the most researched herbal remedies for liver detoxification and support, but for numerous other potential health benefits.
Thanks to its active compound known as silymarin, this plant offers powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant characteristics. If you still have doubts why you need to add it to your diet, continue reading our article.
We will present a list with milk thistle’s best health benefits.
The Amazing Health Benefits of Milk Thistle
- Relieves OCD symptoms
OCD is a neuropsychiatric condition which is mostly treated with over-the-counter meds; however, they come with a lot of side effects. On the other hand, milk thistle was found to be as potent as Fluoxetine, yet without any unpleasant side effects.
- Helps with cancer treatment
According to studies, silymarin possesses strong anti-cancer properties that may help impede the cancer cell growth and spreading of cancer cells. It can therefore be a beneficial remedy and preventive tool for colon, prostate, oral, colorectal, and skin cancer.
- Alleviates rosacea
Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition manifested by a chronic facial redness. Creams and ointments based on milk thistle can help reduce the redness, better the color of the skin, minimize itchiness, and boost the hydration levels.
- Lowers inflammation
Chronic inflammation is the main cause of a lot of modern-day diseases like cancer and arthritis. Some studies point out that the silymarin present in milk thistle was found to be more powerful in lowering inflammation in knee osteoarthritis patients than meds like feldene and mobic.
- Helps treat hepatitis C
Unfortunately, there is no effective cure for hepatitis C and medications are effective in only 30 percent of affected patients. Many choose to get a liver transplant, but this is a costly option. Some research indicates that this disease can be successfully treated with selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and milk thistle. In a study, the patients successfully recovered with the help of these elements and needed no transplantation because of this life-threatening infection.
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