Milk Thistle: weeds?

Milk thistles are biennial or annual plants which have rosette leaves that are used for the plants’ identification. Milk thistle is a highly invasive plant that was native to Europe and colonized here and other countries. Today it may be illegal to plant Milk thistle yourself, so learning how to identify and wild harvest is the best for obtaining plants. The seeds are the best part of the plant and necessary for medicinal use. Harvest time is best in early summer, but beware of the plants prickly thorns on the stems and leaves.

Milk thistle is know for treating alcohol-related liver disease but more importantly, the plant contains silymarin, which helps to detoxify and cleanse the blood. A milk thistle extract in combination with turmeric extract has the ability to reduce blood glucose. Thus milk thistle is considered a beneficial treatment for diabetes. A daily dose of 210-600 mg daily helps to reduce blood sugar levels.

Milk thistle has also been used in the treatment of mushroom poisoning and animal bites. Milk thistle also contains silibinin which is an antioxidant. Milk thistle can be used for someone with skin boils or other skin irritations and ulcers. Lastly, Milk thistle’s young stalks, leaves, flower buds and roots are eaten as substitutes for spinach, asparagus, or rhubarb. Just remove the sharp edges!

Warnings: Milk thistle may trigger allergic reactions in those sensitive to ragweeds.