Blessed Milk Thistle for
Liver Dis-Ease
Traditional Medicine
Traditionally, milk thistle is known to be useful
in gallbladder diseases, gallstones, fatty liver and as a liver protectant. It is the only known treatment for Amanita
phalloides (Death cap) mushroom poisoning.
True Preventive Medicine
In Europe,
Milk Thistle is often added as extra protection when patients are given
medications known to cause liver problems. Numerous medications can injure or
inflame the liver. Evidence strongly suggests that Milk Thistle might protect
against liver toxicity caused by drugs such as acetaminophen, alcohol, phenothiazines
and phenytoin (Dilantin).
Intensive
research into the liver-protecting properties of the Milk Thistle plant began over
50 years ago in Germany.
[In 1968, a research team at the University of Munich
was successful in isolating a compound termed silymarin. Improved chemical separation methods later
revealed that silymarin was not a single component but a complex of chemicals
known as flavonoligans. This complex includes silybinin, silydianin and
silychristin.] Empowher.com
Natural Curative for Liver Ailments
The therapeutic efficacy of silymarin is based on
several separate mechanisms of action. This alone will make it difficult for our (USA)
current system of medicine to duplicate in the laboratory. Thus, the American
Medical Association (AMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will never
have a good thing to say about this natural curative.
Ancient Greek physicians first wrote of the
usefulness of Milk Thistle while serving the Roman armies during the first
century. One thousand years later a German manuscript, written by a woman, the Physica of Hildegarde of Bingen lists
uses of the roots, the whole plant and the leaves of Milk Thistle. Then Culpepper notes in the 18th century
that Milk Thistle is an effectual treatment for obstructions of the liver and
spleen, thereby making it useful for jaundice.
Over 2,000 years after its first known use, a
report was requested in the United States
by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institute of Health (NIH), and
sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Two areas
are addressed, the effects of Milk Thistle on liver disease and adverse effects
associated with ingestion of Milk Thistle.
Currently, there are openings in clinical trials studying
the safety, metabolism and antioxidant activity of silymarin (found in Milk
Thistle) and Green Tea Extract in patients with chronic Hepatitis C.
A panel designated Commission E was established
by Germany’s equivalent to the U.S. FDA to develop acceptable uses,
contraindications and dosages for Milk Thistle along with other well-defined
herbal medicines. Commission E’s findings serve as the basis for regulation of
herb products in Germany
and serve as the model for European Union (EU) harmonization of laws on
phytomedicines.
According to the report issued by this panel on
Milk Thistle, preparations can be made from the seed that are supportive
treatment of chronic inflammatory liver disorders and cirrhosis of the liver,
such as chronic hepatitis, and fatty infiltration of the liver by alcohol and
other chemicals. The report notes that pretreatment with silymarin will inhibit
alcohol induced liver damage, thus making it useful as a preventive medicine as
well as a curative.
In the mid1990s it was thought that a full 20% of
liver intoxication was caused by psychopharmaceuticals, another 11% was caused
by industrial exposure to chemicals leaving the remaining caused by the
consumption of alcohol. All of these can be treated with or prevented by the
judicious use of Milk Thistle along with abstaining from the consumption or use
of all drugs/pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals as well as alcohol.
Shebolith Says…after much re-search into the
subject of Milk Thistle we are convinced, my husband and I, that it is time to
start taking this supplement because of compromised liver function that is the result
from years of ingesting medications that include, but are not limited to, acetaminophen
(Tylenol) and Dilantin.
Disclaimer and Personal Opinion
This story is for entertainment purposes only and
is not meant as advice for any medical disease. Common sense will tell you when
you need to see your professional health care provider. We, as individuals, are
the first line of defense and are responsible for our own health and
well-being. We should not be coerced by insurance companies or government in
the decisions we make for our own health care. Instead, healthcare should be
affordable and available to those who need and want the service. Further, we should not be denied information or education about traditional and alternative remedies.
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