Description
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), a biennial or annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, releases a white milky sap when its stems or leaves are broken, earning it the name “St. Mary’s Thistle”, meaning the herb that “flows milk”. It is also the national flower of Scotland, symbolizing silent love and prudence.
With a bitter taste and cooling nature, Milk Thistle is traditionally recognized for its properties of clearing heat, promoting moisture metabolism, soothing the liver, and supporting bile function. According to The Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Milk Thistle has been documented for various biological activities, including liver protection, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-cerebral ischemia, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and potential anti-tumor effects.
