Description
Milk Thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. *
The “Milk-Flowing” St. Mary’s Thistle from the Asteraceae Family
When the stems or leaves of Milk Thistle are broken, a white milky sap is released. According to Western folklore, when the Virgin Mary was nursing Jesus, some milk accidentally fell onto the leaves of the Milk Thistle. It was later believed that the white veins running through the leaves were transformed from the Virgin Mary’s milk, giving rise to its symbolic name as the “Milk-Flowing Herb.”
Native to Western Europe and North Africa, the National Flower of Scotland
Milk Thistle is the national flower of Scotland, with its floral symbolism representing silent love and prudence.
Over 2,000 Years of Medicinal History – The “Herbal Guardian” for Liver Care
According to Chinese Materia Medica: Milk Thistle is traditionally used for clearing heat, removing dampness, soothing the liver, and promoting bile function. Its dried mature fruits are used as herbal ingredients and have been traditionally applied in the management of various liver and biliary conditions, including acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, metabolic toxic liver injury, and gallstone-related disorders.
