Milk thistle
is a plant that is native to Europe and was brought to North America by early colonists.
Milk thistle is now found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. The above ground parts and seeds are used to make medicine.
Milk thistle is taken by
mouth
most often for
liver
disorders, including liver damage caused by chemicals, alcohol, and
chemotherapy, as well as liver damage caused by Amanita mushroom poisoning, nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease, chronic inflammatory
liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic
hepatitis.
Some people apply milk thistle directly to the
skin
for
skin
damage caused by
radiation.
In foods, milk thistle leaves and flowers are eaten as a vegetable for salads and a substitute for spinach. The seeds are roasted for use as a coffee substitute.
Don't confuse milk thistle with blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus).
Milk thistle seed might protect
liver cells from toxic chemicals and drugs. It also seems to have blood sugar-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Milk thistle seed might protect liver cells from toxic chemicals and drugs. It also seems to have blood sugar-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.