St. Marys Thistle or Milk Thistle

Latin name : Silybum marianum

Family : Compositae / Asteraceae

Actions : Demulcent, bitter tonic, cholagogue, choleretic, diuretic, galactagogue.

Parts used: The seeds and the leaf

Constituents : Essential oil, tyramine, histamine, bitter principles, a flavonoid silymarine, flavones silybin, silydianin and silychristin, mucilage.

Uses : It helps repair liver tissue damage so is very useful for anyone who has had hepatitis or who has been an alcoholic or substance dependent. It stimulates the flow of bile from the liver and gall bladder so will aid in any digestive problems.

As a galactagogue, it stimulates milk secretion so is excellent for breastfeeding and works well for this purpose when combined with Fennel, Goats Rue, Aniseed and Dill. Both of these herbs will also aid the child’s digestion via the mother’s milk. The seeds when powdered and taken act as a preventative against travel sickness. Use this herb with anyone who has had X rays, chemotherapy, a low immune system, toxic blood, constipation or lots of anger.

The leaf is a digestive bitter .