Milk Thistle Carduus marianus a.k.a. Silybum marianum

Personality: This plant looks much like any other thistle, apart from one key difference - there is a strong milky white colour around the leaf veins. This is a classic example of plant ‘signatures’ I.e. the idea that the appearance of a plant gives a clue to its uses. In this case the link is very direct, as Milk Thistle is used to stimulate milk production.

Sources: Milk Thistle likes a warmer climate than is found in most of Britain, so you may be better to buy, rather than grow it. You would also need a sizeable patch of ground to get a decent quantity of seeds. I recommend that you buy either the whole seeds (which store well), or the tincture. If you buy the seeds, prepare them in a coffee grinder before making a tea with them. Milk Thistle is available from most herbalists and some health food shops.

Anecdotes: Treating alcoholism and its consequences is one of my specialities. I have used this herb many times to help repair damaged liver tissue in patients but only once did I make the mistake of giving an alcohol based tincture to a recovering alcoholic. We both learnt our lesson fast, when the tincture set off a binge of drinking. I changed the prescription to dried seeds straight away and no harm was done, but if you use Milk Thistle for the same condition don’t make the same mistake.

Uses: Principally used for repairing damaged liver tissue or helping the liver to deal with infection or chemotherapy. Also used for increasing milk flow in lactating mothers.

Actions: Cholagogue, antidepressant, galactogogue.

Dosage: 1g of dried seeds or equivalent, three times per day. This dose could easily be doubled when dealing with acute cases.

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