Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Asteraceae, or daisy family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Thought to have originated in areas around the Mediterranean Sea and possibly regions of India, milk thistle is now found growing wild in most parts of the world with moderate temperatures, including Canada, Europe, and the United States. Because it spreads rapidly, grows in marginal areas such as vacant lots, and crowds out other plants. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Seeds ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Hepatic
• Galactagogue
• Demulcent
• Cholagogue
• Antihepatotoxic ^[1]
5. Indications:
• For postpartum, it may be used as a safe liver tonic, such as in hepatitis-positive clients or those with preeclamptic symptoms, but more often it would be used as a galactagogue, indicated when a mother may be struggling with adequate milk supply. ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Flavolignans (regenerate damaged liver cells); silymarin (blocks toxins from binding to hepatocyte cell membrane receptors): silybin, silydianin, silychristin; fixed oil; sterols; mucilage ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Hepatic, lymphatic, glandular ^[2]  
8. Energetics:
• Cold, oily, smooth, soft, heavy, stable ^[1]
9. Safety:
• No side effects reported. Safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding. ^[2]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The seeds are smooth, round, and a dark grey-brown. The smell is pretty mild, although sweet, but once the seeds were ground up, the smell completely changed and was more spicy and fennel-like.
2. Preparation Method:
• Capsules: (whole seed powdered), 350mg 1-3x/day
• Tincture: (1:3 ratio) 30-60 gtt 2-3x/day
3. Usage Notes:
• I decided to make a tincture. The finished product has a smooth taste and is fairly mild. I haven't noticed any specific detox symptoms, but I am using it mildly since I am so busy - I don't think I want to do a full detox right now! I can see myself recommending this to many postpartum moms after our discussion at onsite – it cleans the body and helps increase milk, so it is ideal for the lactating mother.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 9 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-18_MW5122-A Botanicals 2: Postpartum.
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.