Milk thistle, silver tartar, thistle or milk thistle is an annual plant from the family of astroids. This herb in agriculture is considered a weed, but folk healers regard the thistle as a very rich source of vitamins and valuable substances. Therefore, for several centuries, both in traditional and alternative medicine, milk thistle is used - useful properties and contraindications to plants have been thoroughly studied more than 700 years ago.
Useful properties of seeds of milk thistle and contraindications to their use
Seeds of tartar silvery are the most valuable part of the plant, since they contain the main medicinal components:
- silymarin;
- vitamins E, F, A, D, K and group B;
- proteins;
- fatty and essential oils;
- mucus;
- alkaloids;
- selenium;
- calcium;
- iron;
- boron;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- chromium;
- manganese;
- zinc;
- iodine.
The first specified component, silymarin, is a unique chemical compound capable of restoring damaged liver cells, accelerating its renewal and protecting against external negative factors.
In addition, the seeds of thorn are widely used as a biologically active food additive to enrich the diet with vitamins and vegetable protein.
In folk medicine, the described part of the plant is used with the following problems:
- diabetes;
- toothache;
- dermatological inflammatory diseases;
- phlebeurysm;
- intoxication of the body ;
- stool disorders;
- inflammation of the spleen, kidneys.
Thistle seeds promote normalization of metabolic processes, hormonal balance, strengthening of cardiovascular, immune and nervous system, neutralization of pathogenic bacteria.
Contraindications to the intake of seeds of milk thistle are few. With caution use them to recommend pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is undesirable to use sunflower seeds in diseases of the heart valve, since a high concentration of phosphorus and calcium can lead to disruption of its functioning. For the same reason, seeds are contraindicated for people suffering from shortness of breath and bronchial asthma.
Useful properties and contra-indication of milk thistle
The schrot is squeezed and powdered thistle seeds. It is the product of processing this part of the plant into oil. Despite the fact that the meal is in fact waste, it retains almost all the healing ingredients and has the same beneficial properties as the seeds of milk thistle.
As a rule, cake is used as a hepatoprotective agent for various hepatic pathologies. But no less pronounced are other positive effects of the meal:
- normalization of fat metabolism;
- purgation;
- detoxification;
- prevention of atherosclerosis;
- stimulation of intestinal peristalsis;
- strengthening the nervous system;
- regeneration of skin cells;
- improvement of visual acuity.
Contraindications to the use of oilcake are identical to the seeds of milk thistle. Also, schrot can not be taken with hepatic colic, epilepsy and mental disorders.
Healing properties and contraindications to other parts of the milk thistle grass
In addition to seeds and oilcake, the leaves and roots of the thorn are also useful. These parts of the plant improve the work of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize blood pressure, allow you to remove acute pain with joint diseases.
Freshly squeezed juice from leaves, infusions, decoctions, tea from them and milk thistle roots produce such favorable effects:
- diuretic;
- diaphoretic;
- antibacterial;
- diuretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- healing.
These funds are used in the treatment of colitis, skin diseases, including acne, oral pathology.
General contraindications for the treatment of leaves and roots of milk thistle are individual intolerance of plant components and a tendency to develop allergic reactions.