Milk Thistle Used As Detox

Detoxifying diets are becoming more and more common. They range from complete cleansing fasts to herbal formulas to prepackaged meal replacements. Though our bodies detox naturally and constantly through the liver and other organs, many people feel that a sensible detox program can help support your body to do a better job of detoxifying. Milk thistle is one herb with a long history as a detoxifier.

Background

• Registered dietitian Susan Moores notes in an article on MSNBC.com called "Experts Warn of Detox Diet Dangers" that many doctors are wary of detox diets, claiming that the body detoxes naturally on its own, and a healthy person does not need to detox at all. However, though there are many unhealthy examples of detox diets listed in the MSNBC.com article, there is also a long and sensible history of helping your body to detoxify.

Features

• Milk thistle is a potent liver regenerating herb with decades of clinical research to back up its historical and traditional use as a detoxifying herb. It is generally regarded as safe, and pregnant and nursing women can use it freely. According to Michelle Lynde in an article in Alive magazine, milk thistle has been studied over the past 40 years and has been proven to be useful in cases of hepatitis, cirrhosis and alcohol overconsumption.

Function

• Milk thistle works in several ways. First, a group of flavinoids called sylimarin help to protect the cells of the liver. They act as antioxidants, "eating" free radicals and destroying them so they cannot damage the liver. Sylimarin also stimulates production of proteins that are essential to liver cell regeneration and repair.

Effects

• Sylimarin also normalizes immune function. This group of antioxidants is more potent than Vitamin E, a very powerful antioxidant. Milk thistle exerts anti-inflammatory effects over the liver due to the essential fatty acids the seeds contain. Naturopaths often prescribe milk thistle as a "liver decongestant," according to Ms. Lynde. Milk thistle encourages bile secretion and can prevent gall stones.

Dosage

• Milk thistle is readily available in health foods stores either in bulk form or as standardized capsules. According to Ms. Lynde, a standard dosage for adults is 140 mg three times a day. To use the tea, boil two to three tablespoons of milk thistle seeds in water for 10 to 15 minutes and strain. Sip throughout the day. There is no known toxicity for this herb. It is safe to use both while pregnant and breastfeeding.