Has other common names include cardus marianus, milk thistle, blessed milk thistle, Marian Thistle, Mary Thistle, Saint Mary's Thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle.In herbalism, it is used in cases of liver diseases (cirrhosis, jaundice and hepatitis), gallbladder disease, and is claimed to protect the liver against poisons. Silibinin is a hepatoprotective (antihepatotoxic), antioxidant (radical-scavenging agent), thus stabilising and protecting the membrane lipids of the hepatocytes (liver cells). Silicristin inhibits the enzymes peroxidase and lipoxygenase. Silidianin is a plant growth regulator.Milk thistle has been grown as a medicinal plant in monastery gardens since ancient times. The seed is the part of the plant used medicinally.
EQUINE
Actions: Bitter, Cholagogant, Demulcent, Galactogogue, Nervine, Stimulant, Tonic.
Usages: Best known as a liver tonic, it detoxifies poisons that enter the blood stream. It also promotes milk production. Used in the pharmaceutical industry for processing into tinctures and tablets which are used medicinally for gall bladder disease and the regeneration of tissue in cases of liver damage.
