5 potential health benefits of milk thistle:

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), also called Mary thistle or Holy thistle is one of the most commonly used herbs in Ayurveda. Milk thistle is a flowering plant that comes from the same family of plants as the daisy. It is mainly grown in Mediterranean countries but is also widely cultivated in parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Tamilnadu. This purple flowering plant may seem like a normal pant, but it is an important ayurvedic herb loaded with numerous health benefits. Read more to know health benefits of milk thistle.

Milk thistle in Ayurveda:

According to Ayurveda, milk thistle is a potent ayurvedic herb to detoxify the body. It contains several phytochemicals such as silibinin, silymarin, flavonolignans, iso silibinin, betaine, silymarin, silychristin, and silydianin. It also offers a rich source of flavonoids. Traditionally milk extract is obtained from its seeds. This extract is rich in nutrients and contains several polyphenolic molecules that are useful for the body.

Health benefits of milk thistle:

1. Milk thistle for liver protection

Milk thistle is commonly used in Ayurveda to treat liver problems. The hepatoprotective property of this plant protects the liver against liver disorders such as cirrhosis. Also, the antioxidants present in milk thistle detoxify the liver and strengthens it.

2. Milk thistle for skin health

Milk thistle has anti-inflammatory properties that help improve skin condition. Applying milk thistle on the skin protects the skin against infection. It also has an anti-aging effect on skin that keeps your skin young and healthy for years.

3. Milk thistle for digestion.

Consuming this regularly helps in increasing the bile secretion in the stomach. This helps in improving the digestion process. It is also used in the treatment of increased secretion and flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder.

4. Milk thistle for weight loss

Milk thistle plays an important role in keeping cholesterol levels down. Regular consumption of milk thistle burns the extra calories and removes the toxins from the body which are responsible for weight gain.

5. Milk thistle for cancer

Milk thistle is loaded with antioxidants that are extremely helpful in fighting the harmful free radicals in the body. It is beneficial in the treatment of cancer of the breast, ovaries, liver, colon, and the bladder. It is also very helpful in reducing the risk of melanoma.

Milk thistle is one of the important herbs in Ayurveda that is used in the management of several disorders. Thus, supplementing with milk thistle is an easy and effective way to improve your health and quality of life.