Shop

Milk Thistle Seeds (Silybum marianum)

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an ancient herb known for its healthful properties and its long-standing use as a food and medicinal plant. This annual plant in the Asteraceae family grows from 3 to 7 feet tall and features lettuce-like leaves with white veins and purple spiky flowers. Widely respected in Western herbalism, milk thistle seeds are often used to make milk thistle tea, as well as tinctures and capsules for easy consumption.

Benefits & Uses

Milk thistle has been highly regarded for centuries for its ability to support the liver’s natural detoxification process and promote overall health.

✔ Liver Support – Well-known for aiding in liver detox and encouraging liver health.
✔ Versatile Use – Ideal for making tea, tinctures, or adding to culinary dishes like smoothies, soups, or stews.
✔ Rich History – Revered in ancient cultures, milk thistle has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine.

Botanical Description

• Height: 3 to 7 feet tall
• Leaves: Shiny, smooth, lettuce-like with white veins and spiny margins
• Flowers: Solitary purple flowers, up to 2.5 inches in diameter
• Native: Native to the Mediterranean and Southwestern Europe, now widely cultivated worldwide
• Family: A member of the Asteraceae family, related to plants like artichoke, lettuce, and daisy

Harvesting & Preparation

Milk thistle seeds are typically harvested in May-July by cutting off the flower heads, drying them in a warm, sunny area for about a week, and processing the flower heads to extract the seeds.

Traditional Uses & Folklore

• Ancient Greeks and Romans used milk thistle seeds for venomous stings and bites, such as snake bites.
• Nicholas Culpepper, the renowned herbalist, suggested boiling milk thistle for its spring tonic benefits.
• In the 1800s, Eclectic physicians used milk thistle seeds for liver, spleen, and kidney congestion.
• A folk remedy suggested wearing milk thistle around your neck to protect against snakes and inspire aggression.

Precautions

Milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae (ragweed) family plants. As with any herbal product, it’s recommended to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, or on medications.