Milk thistle has both many therapeutic properties and contraindications to use. Many gardeners began to grow this unique plant. Although the milk thistle in the photo looks like an ordinary thorn, you should look at it carefully - the plant has a very beneficial effect on the human body in the treatment of various diseases.
- Biological description
- Chemical composition
- Beneficial features
- Leaves
- The roots
- Use of milk thistle
- In folk medicine
- In cosmetology
- Slimming
- Side effects and contraindications
- Preparation of medical raw materials
Biological description
Herbaceous plant family Astrovye. The people called milk thistle, Maryin tartarnik, barb. It is an annual, rarely two-year-old plant, reaching a height of 2 meters or more. It has feathery dark green leaves with yellowish spines on the edges, striated with large whitish spots. 
Flowers are large, purple hue, arranged in single baskets with a shell consisting of small green spiny leaves. The fruit of the plant is achene dark brown.
Chemical composition
The milk thistle contains a large amount of flavonoids and flavonolignans. The natural functions of these compounds are not fully understood, but they are supposed to protect plants from excessive radiation effects and also are a factor of resistance to certain types of pathogenic fungi. Some of them have antibacterial action.
Also in the milk thistle contains alkaloids, saponins, fatty oil, vitamin K, tyramine, histamine, proteins, macro- and microelements. The main component is a biologically active silymarin. 
Beneficial features
Milk thistle, revealing its beneficial properties, has practically no contraindications. Preparations made from a plant improve the production and removal of bile. Hepatoprotective effect is manifested by an increase in the resistance of hepatocytes to infections and poisoning of various etiologies. Stimulates the growth of only healthy cells, which is very important in case of cancer. 
It is a good antioxidant, along with vitamin C. Prevents premature aging. Normalizes metabolism.
Leaves
For eating, it is recommended to soak for 8-12 hours, and then eat it raw or boiled like spinach. They help cleanse the body of toxins, improve gastrointestinal function.
Crushed leaves with previously trimmed spines are applied to wounds, cuts, abrasions for faster healing. The dressing is changed twice a day. 
From fresh leaves you can get the juice. It helps with constipation, colitis, is used in cosmetology.
The roots
In food, thistle roots can be used in any form: raw, boiled, fried. Most often they are used in combination with seeds for greater effect.Used for toothache and bleeding gums in the form of rinses. 
Use of milk thistle
Due to the large number of its useful properties, milk thistle has found its application in various spheres of human life. For example, in folk medicine, cosmetology, cooking.
In folk medicine
In medicine, the most commonly used oil, powder, alcohol and water extracts of thistle. In the pharmacy, you can buy ready-made powder from the fruits of this plant. There is also a syrup and herbal tea from the fruit. Thistle seeds have the strongest healing properties, but their use may also have its own contraindications.
It is most often used for liver diseases (cirrhosis, dysfunction of the biliary tract, hepatitis), spleen, gallstone disease, etc. Thistle oil is very effective in burns due to its ability to accelerate regeneration, wounds heal faster.In cosmetology
The main reason why acne and acne appear on the face is a violation of the metabolism and functioning of the liver, therefore daily use of milk thistle juice improves the skin condition by affecting the general condition of the body. They can also wipe the face. 
Also used oil to relieve inflammation of the skin of various etiologies. After applying it on the skin, it is thermally or ultraviolet. Vitamin F contained in the oil accelerates cell regeneration and stabilizes the sebaceous glands. Improves skin firmness and elasticity, and even shallow wrinkles are smoothed out. The oil is suitable for daily use both independently and in combination with other oils or creams. Thistle preparations can be used on any type of skin.
Slimming
The use of milk thistle and milk thistle oil in dietetics often raises the question whether it brings benefit or harm. It binds cholesterol in a form that is more easily excreted from the body, which is its positive quality for the prevention of vascular atherosclerosis. Milk thistle activates metabolic processes, accelerates metabolism. To get a quick weight loss effect, you need to stick to a diet, and the stricter it is, the faster the desired result will be achieved. The finished powder can be added to any consumed food or brewed as tea, but not add sweeteners.
Side effects and contraindications
Milk thistle, despite all its benefits, can bring and harm, so it is important to know how to take it. Overdose can cause side effects such as itching, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, skin rashes. 
As such, there are no contraindications for the use of thistle, however, individual intolerance may occur. Concerning pregnant women, the opinions of doctors differ. Due to the fact that the milk thistle contains more than 400 different active substances, whose effect on the fetus has not been studied, it is not recommended to use this plant during pregnancy. Some doctors still recommend taking thistle with the stagnation of bile in the second and third trimester in a small amount, but only under the supervision of a doctor.
Preparation of medical raw materials
Procurement is carried out in late August - early September. For raw materials use ripe fruit, roots or leaves. Harvesting is done by mowing, drying and threshing of the aerial part. Fruits are separated from the rest and dried. The shelf life of raw materials - no more than 1 year. Sometimes the roots are harvested, they are dug in the fall, washed, dried and stored the same way as the seeds in canvas bags. For the manufacture of juice, leaves are collected before flowering. 
