Milk thistle has been used as a medicinal herb for over 2,000 years. Milk thistle increases the productions and flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder. It is promoted by herbalists as a treatment for liver disorders including hepatitis and cirrhosis. This herb has strong antioxidant properties that protect the liver and act on the gallbladder, spleen and kidneys. An antioxidant is a nutrient or chemical that neutralizes free radicals.
Milk thistle is available as capsules, seeds, or tincture.
To prepare a tea, add one cup of boiling water to one teaspoonful of the ground seeds, steep for ten to fifteen minutes. This can be taken two to three times a day. If preferred, a tincture of one to two milliliters can be taken three times a day. Those with liver disease may need higher doses and it may take two to three months before improvement is noted. Dosage should be discussed with a trained herbalist or your physician.