Herbal Spotlight: Milk Thistle Seeds

Milk Thistle Seeds (also known as Silybum marianum) get their name from the milky-white liquid that runs off of the plant’s leaves when they’re crushed. The leaves of the plant also have a spotted white pattern that makes them look as if they’ve been dunked in milk.

Milk Thistle Seeds have been used for over 2,000 years. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and a member of the Asteraceae plant family, which also includes other plants like sunflowers and daisies. The Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides was the first to describe milk thistle’s healing properties back in the year 40 A.D.

These beautiful brown oblong shaped seeds are known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that protect our liver cells. The seeds contain the highest concentrations of the active compound, silymarin. Silymarin is an antioxidant that reduces free radical production and oxidative damage. It may also inhibit the binding of toxins to the liver. It is the most common natural supplement for liver disorders in the U.S. due to its many health benefits.

The liver constantly works hard to help defend us from toxins that are common in our everyday life, acting like a filter and removing harmful substances from the body. Milk Thistle Seeds have benefits including the ability to decrease, or even reverse, damage to the liver. In our Liver Herbal Tea, Milk Thistle Seed is used for its potent antioxidant properties that help to prevent toxins from attaching to liver cells. Milk Thistle Seed eases inflammation, boosts cell repair, and reduces key liver enzymes that support healthy function of the liver.