MILK THISTLE
Silybum marianum
Parts used: fruits.
Authorized health claims:
- Digestive function.
- Liver function.
- Organism purification functions.
- Antioxidant.
- Carbohydrate metabolism.
PROPERTIES:
- Choleretic (facilitates bile production);
- Cholagogue (facilitates bile secretion);
- Hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol);
- Liver tonic;
- Hepatoprotective (regenerates liver cells, relaxes spasms);
- Renal protective (protects the kidneys);
- Improves blood circulation in the abdomen;
- Stimulates the circulation;
- Emmenagogue (promotes menstruation);
- Cardiotonic;
- Diaphoretic;
- Hypertensive (exerts a mild cardiac, adrenal, renal stimulation and peripheral vasoconstriction);
- Vasoconstrictor;
- Antihemorrhagic;
- Spasmolytic (slightly);
- Anti-inflammatory (inhibits the production of leukotrienes);
- Carminative;
- Febrifuge;
- Alterative (blood);
- Galactogogue (increases milk production);
- Antioxidant (increases glutathione levels).
INDICATIONS:
- Cardio-vascular disorders (due to an alteration of the vagus-sympathetic balance);
- Hypotension;
- Hydrophobia (rabies);
- Jaundice (specific);
- Biliary disorders;
- Hepatopathies (liver diseases);
- Cholecystopathies (gall bladder diseases);
- Cirrhosis (associated with alcohol abuse or viruses);
- Hepatitis (including drug-induced);
- Hemorrhoids;
- Varicose veins;
- Varicose ulcers (sores, bumps);
- Catarrh (respiratory tracts);
- Pleurisy;
- Poisoning (mushrooms, drugs, alcohol, chemicals);
- Furunculosis;
- Menstrual problems;
- Menorrhagia (menstrual bleeding).
To facilitate the sheet reading, the main properties are highlighted in
bold. The indications on the traditional use of plants in the herbal sector, have
been derived from the following literature sources, which should be consulted
for in-depth information on plants and other interesting uses and suggestions:
- Barnes J., Anderson L.A., Phillipson J.D. Herbal medicines (third ed.). London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007
- Basch Ethan M., Catherine E. Ulbricht, Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Handbook: St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Mosby, 2005.
- PDR (Physicians’ Desk Reference) for Herbal Medicines, Fourth Edition, Ed. Thomson 2007.
- Perugini Billi F., Manuale di Fitoterapia, Edizioni Junior, Azzano San Paolo (BG) 2004.
- Pizzorno J. E. Jr., Murray M. T., Trattato di Medicina Naturale, Red Edizioni, Novara 2001.
- Pomini L., Erboristeria italiana, Edizioni vitalità, Torino, 1973.
- Sangiorgi E., Minelli E., Crescini G., Garzanti S., Fitoterapia, Principi di Fitoterapia clinica tradizionale, Energetica Moderna,CEA Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano 2007.
- Tierra M., Grande manuale di Erboristeria, Vol. I e II, Mediterranee, 1995.
- Valnet J., Fitoterapia. Cura delle malattie con le piante, Aldo Martello - Giunti Editore, 1976.
