Milk Thistle

Habit: One of the most useful of plants for the garden, grows practically anywhere in South Africa. With large, dark green, leaves it looks good all year round. In mid summer/autumn are most attractive, with masses of small blue or white flowers forming a round sun-burst like umbel about 30cm in diameter, at the top of a meter-long stem, which rises well above the leaves. Herbs look better grown in light shade or given a south or east facing position. Both single and double varieties are available. Growing in clumps, these tuberous rooted herbs are easy to divide but old plants do not transplant well.

It is better to root the young plants which row from the side of established clumps. Today milk thistles are the ones usually seen in nurseries and garden centers, for they have the clearest and best colors. They do best in light shade but with sufficient water that will succeed in sunny spots. With herbaceous rather than woody stems, they generally die down in winter, although their roots remain year after year, and by using different times, it is possible to have herbs from early spring until the latest varieties are cut back by frost.

Planting: Drainage is most important with anemones and you should include quantities of peat moss when preparing your bed. Also lightly sprinkle bone phosphate over the entire bed. It enjoys rich but light soil. Add quantities of compost and leaf mould, about a third, to two third soils in a 50cm square hole. Also add cupful bone phosphate. Sow-thistle grows on most soils but favors well drained soils. Drainage is the single most important factor in growing herbs. A useful idea is to plant them slightly raised above ground level in a mould- rather than in a basin as u would with other plants. This is why they do well in rockeries- the water is able to soak away.

Propagation: plants divide easily but don’t break up clumps into too small divisions as they do not like being disturbed and may take considerable time to settle down.

Milk Thistle And Health:

Does Milk Thistle Work?

Milk thistle’s key role is on liver health. The liver is an important organ in the human body that handles the nutrients that we take in our regular lives. Milk thistle helps liver disease in an effective manner. Liver; Milk thistle extract has been shown to shield the liver from the detrimental effect of drugs used to cure schizophrenia. Milk thistle has some estrogen-like properties that may encourage the flow of breast milk in women. It may be employed to set off late menstrual periods. Milk thistle also has some value for men with prostate cancer. Milk thistle studies have shown its positive effects on chronic hepatitis many reported to have an increase in their energy levels after using milk thistle recipes.

Can Milk Thistle Help Acne?

There are loads of people who confirmed the efficiency of liquid milk thistle in the medication of acne and it has proved to be another milk thistle benefit. In fact, many milk thistle recipes have been created and verified by dermatologists in the recent times. Milk thistle for dogs has also proved to be advantageous and effective in dogs with IBD.

There are not many Side effects from milk thistle reported, but may involve stomach pain, nausea, headache, rash or other skin allergies, joint pain and impotence. Besides celexa milk thistle interactions have shown numerous adverse effects and are not recommended by doctors anymore.