As someone undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important to prioritize your overall health and wellbeing. One aspect of this is keeping your liver healthy, as chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can be harsh on your liver.

Enter the aromatic herb, Milk Thistle.

What is Milk Thistle?

Milk Thistle, also known by its scientific name Silybum marianum, is a plant that has been used for millennia for various medicinal purposes. It’s native to Europe but can now be found all over the world.

In recent years, Milk Thistle has gained popularity for its potential liver-protecting properties, making it a popular supplement for cancer patients undergoing treatment that can be harsh on the liver.

How does Milk Thistle protect the liver?

The active ingredient in Milk Thistle is a compound called silymarin, which has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Silymarin has been found to protect the liver from damage caused by toxins, drugs, and other harmful substances. It does this by preventing the depletion of glutathione, an antioxidant that is essential for liver function.

Additionally, silymarin has been shown to stimulate the regeneration of liver cells, which can be especially important for patients undergoing cancer treatment that may damage liver cells.

Finally, silymarin has been shown to reduce the inflammation that can occur in the liver due to toxins or diseases, further protecting the liver from damage.

How to take Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle can be taken either as a supplement or as a tea made from the dried leaves of the plant. When taking a supplement, look for one that contains at least 70-80% silymarin.

To make Milk Thistle tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried Milk Thistle leaves in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drink the tea once or twice a day.

It’s important to talk to your doctor before starting to take Milk Thistle, especially if you’re currently undergoing cancer treatment or taking other medications.

Milk Thistle can interact with some medications, including certain chemotherapy drugs, and may not be appropriate for all patients.

Other benefits of Milk Thistle

While Milk Thistle is most well-known for its liver-protecting properties, it has also been shown to have other potential health benefits. These include:.

Reducing high cholesterol levels
Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes
Reducing inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease
Reducing the growth of certain types of cancer cells, though more research is needed to confirm this potential benefit

Conclusion

As a cancer patient undergoing treatment, it’s important to prioritize your overall health and wellbeing, including protecting your liver from damage.

Milk Thistle, with its potential liver-protecting properties, is a natural and safe supplement that may help in this regard. Talk to your doctor to see if Milk Thistle is right for you.