Milk Thistle Tea Benefits
Milk Thistle PlantMilk Thistle plant
Milk Thistle Tea is derived from the seeds of the flowering plants of the daisy family called Silybum Adans that are typically found in the Mediterranean areas, North Africa and the Middle East.  Milk Thistle is also known as Holy thistle, silybum marianum and carduus marianus.

It is a fine, tall plant, with cut-into root-leaves that are waved and spiny at the margin.  Milk Thistle is known to protect and regenerate the liver in most liver diseases such as Cirrhosis (hardening of the Liver), Jaundice and Hepatitis, (inflammation of the Liver), and Cholangitis (inflammation of bile ducts resulting in decreased bile flow).

The key constituent of milk thistle is silymarin.  Silymarin is a flavonoid composed of 4 isomers:

  • silybinin,
  • silychristin,
  • silydianin,
  • isosilybinin  

Silymarin is the substance that enables milk thistle to give protection to the liver.

Milk Thistle Tea can be made by placing 1/3 to ½ ounce of milk thistle seed in 2 cups of boiling water, and allowing it to steep for forty-five minutes. Strain and drink 1/3 of the milk thistle tea in three doses per day.  Many also believe that Milk Thistle Tea is more effective if made using an alcohol-based extract as Silymarin and its attendant benefits are best ‘harvested’ using alcohol-based extract.  However, those with advanced liver problems need to stay away from alcohol.

Here are some of the health benefits of Milk Thistle Tea:
​
  • Milk Thistle Tea may help cleanse and detoxify the liver.

  • It may help support the liver in cleansing the blood.

  • This drink can be a component in overall treatments against such liver diseases as cirrhosis, hepatitis, gall stones and liver cancer.

  • Milk Thistle Tea may help increase secretion of the bile and enhance the flow in the intestinal tract.

  • Milk Thistle Tea may help ease kidney and bladder irritations.

  • Milk Thistle Tea may aid in removing obstructions in the spleen.
"Tea comforts the spirit, banishes passivity, lightens the body, and adds sparkle to the eyes." 
~ Shen Nong,
   Chinese Mythical Emperor & Sage
Check out the Health Benefits from these Herbal Teas:
​Check out the Health Benefits of these Teas and Tisanes: