Milk Thistle
A striking feature of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is its large, green-white marbled, very thorny-toothed leaves.
At the ends of the angular stems sit individually the purple, globular capitulum flowers. From them develop the hard-shelled fruits.
The original home of milk thistle is southern Europe, Asia Minor, southern Russia and North Africa. It was grown in gardens or in crops. Therefore, it can be found in the wild in our climes.
Milk Thistle
Image source: S. Geiberger
Family and collection time
Milk thistle belongs to the daisy family.
Parts of the plant used: Fruits
Collection time in detail:
- Fruits: July and August
Healing effect and application
Healing effect:
Anti-inflammatory, regenerating, cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral, antibacterial.
Application in natural medicine:
It is the queen of liver medicinal plants. It supports the liver in diseases such as inflammation, fatty liver, liver-related digestive problems and weakness. It protects and regenerates the cells. Medicinally used are the seeds of the fruits.
Ingredients: (selection)
- Silymarin
- Flavonoids
- Greasy oil
- Bitters
- Amino acids
- Mucilage
- Essential oil
- Sterols
References:
Beiser, Rudi: Our edible wild plants. Kosmos Nature Guide 2018
Bühring, Ursel: Praxis-Lehrbuch der modernen Heilpflanzenkunde; Grundlagen – Anwendung – Therapie. Sonntag Publishing House Stuttgart 2005
Pahlow, M. Pharmacist: Medicinal Plants. Bechtermünz Publishing House Augsburg 2001
Schneider, Christine: Finding wild herbs. Ulmer Publishing House Stuttgart 2017
Recipe by Dr. Markus Strauß www.dr-strauss.net
