Milk thistle: liver.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: MILK THISTLE?
From: dbrowndc.cts.com (David Brown)
Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 18:50:53 GMT

>What does milk thistle do? Does it help the liver? Thanks for your help!

Milk Thistle- silybum marianum- "has been shown to be conclusively liver protective and regenerative ... effective against chronic liver cirrosis, necroses and hepatitis A and B." Micheal Tierra, The Way of Herbs.

The way it does this is that it occupies the receptors on the liver's hepatic cells so that the toxins can't bind there anymore. It then encourages clearing functions in the liver. Use of milk thistle can help clear skin conditions as the liver is functioning better.

If liver enzymes are elevated (SGPT,SGOP) and there is left flank pain radiating up to the left scapula, then use milk thistle for liver toxicity. Take in the PM in large doses for long periods of time. 300mg tid or 60-80 dps extract tid for 6-12 months.

If liver enzymes are low, with right flank pain and up to right scapula, this may indicate liver stagnation or congestion, a different condition.

David